Texas Dog Skin Challenges: Extreme Heat, Grass Burrs, and Fire Ant Bites

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read

Why Is Texas So Hard on Dog Skin?

Texas is hard on dog skin because heat, humidity, and a landscape full of burrs, awns and stinging insects combine to injure the skin and then keep it warm and damp enough for bacteria to thrive. From the Gulf Coast to the Hill Country, summer highs frequently pass 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and coastal and eastern regions add high humidity that keeps a dog's coat from drying.

Healthy canine skin is a thin barrier, only a few cell layers thick, that depends on surface lipids and a balanced microbiome to keep bacteria such as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in check. Heat, moisture, scratching and small punctures all weaken that barrier. Once it is breached, staphylococci that normally live on the skin without trouble can multiply and cause superficial bacterial folliculitis (infection of the hair follicles), the most common form of canine pyoderma (Hillier et al., 2014).

Allergy adds to the problem. Canine atopic dermatitis affects an estimated 10 to 15% of dogs (Hillier and Griffin, 2001), and a long Texas pollen and grass season gives allergic dogs many opportunities to itch, scratch and damage the skin. Understanding the three main Texas triggers, heat, burrs and fire ants, makes it easier to prevent the infections that follow.

How Does Extreme Heat Cause Hot Spots in Dogs?

Hot spots, known medically as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, are rapidly developing, painful, oozing patches of inflamed skin caused by self-trauma. A dog licks, chews or scratches an itchy area until the surface breaks, and bacteria and moisture do the rest. In a study of 44 dogs with pyotraumatic dermatitis, lesions were often linked to an underlying trigger such as flea allergy, ear disease or anal sac problems, rather than heat alone (Holm et al., 2004).

Heat contributes in several ways. Dogs with thick or double coats trap warmth and moisture against the skin, especially after swimming in a stock tank, lake or the Gulf. Panting and drooling soak the neck and chest. Humid air slows drying, so a damp coat stays damp for hours. Mats that form in these conditions hold moisture directly against the skin.

Breeds with dense coats, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Saint Bernards, are commonly affected, though any dog can develop a hot spot. A hot spot can double in size within hours, so early recognition matters. For more on prevention across the year, see Preventing Hot Spots in Dogs: A Seasonal Prevention Guide and our overview of hot spots in dogs.

What Do Grass Burrs and Awns Do to a Dog's Skin?

Grass burrs and awns are barbed plant seeds and bristles that cling to fur and can work their way into skin, ears and between the toes. Texas has many burr-producing plants, including sandburs and several grass species whose seed heads dry out and become sharp in late summer and fall.

The mechanism is mechanical. Barbed seeds migrate in one direction through the coat and skin as the dog moves, and the body treats them as foreign material. The result is a painful swelling, a small draining tract, or an abscess that keeps returning until the plant material is removed. Typical signs include sudden paw licking, limping, head shaking and a small red bump with discharge. Burrs lodged in the armpits or groin can also rub the skin raw.

Dogs that run through pastures, hunt, hike or herd are most exposed, as described in Herding Dog Skin Hazards: Foxtails, Thorns, and Environmental Injuries. Grass contact can also trigger itching in allergic dogs, a separate problem covered in Grass Allergies in Dogs. Any burr that has penetrated the skin, or any ear that suddenly becomes painful, needs a veterinary exam, because deep plant material cannot be safely removed at home.

What Happens When a Dog Is Stung by Fire Ants?

Imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are widespread across Texas, and their stings cause burning, itchy welts that typically develop into sterile white pustules within 24 hours. The venom is mostly alkaloids that damage tissue and attract inflammatory cells, which is why the pustules form even without infection (deShazo et al., 1990).

Dogs usually meet fire ants when lying or digging in a mound, and the stings concentrate on the belly, legs, paws and muzzle. Multiple ants sting at once, so a single encounter can produce dozens of lesions. The danger is twofold. First, a small number of dogs react severely, with facial swelling, vomiting, collapse or difficulty breathing, which is an emergency. Second, intense itching leads to licking and chewing, which opens the pustules and invites bacteria.

Do not pop the pustules, because that exposes raw skin. Brush off any ants still on the coat, rinse the area with cool water, and keep your dog from chewing the lesions. Keep a close eye on the area over the following days for crusting, spreading redness or odor, which suggest a secondary infection.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Secondary Skin Infections?

Veterinarians diagnose bacterial skin infection with a combination of the physical exam and a simple in-clinic test called skin cytology, in which a tape strip, slide impression or swab is stained and examined under the microscope for bacteria, yeast and inflammatory cells. Cytology is quick, inexpensive and helps confirm that bacteria are actually present before an antimicrobial is chosen (Hillier et al., 2014).

Because infection is usually secondary, the exam also looks for the cause: fleas, allergy, a foreign body, or an ear or anal sac problem. Recurrent infections or infections that do not respond to topical care may call for bacterial culture and sensitivity, especially given the rise of antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci. If you are unsure what you are looking at, our Dog Skin Condition Checker can help you describe the lesion before your appointment, though it does not replace an exam.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

The four main Texas skin problems look different, and knowing which one you are dealing with changes what you do next.

How to Treat Hot Spots and Small Skin Infections at Home

Home care suits small, localized lesions in a dog that is eating, active and comfortable. Large, rapidly spreading, very painful or deep lesions, or any lesion in a dog that seems unwell, need a veterinary visit. Topical antiseptics are an established first step for superficial bacterial skin infection and reduce the need for systemic antibiotics in many mild cases (Hillier et al., 2014; Mueller et al., 2012).

1. Stop the self-trauma. Use a cone or soft recovery collar so your dog cannot lick or chew the area while it heals.
2. Clip the hair around the lesion. Trim a margin of fur with blunt-tipped clippers so air can reach the skin. If your dog is in pain, let a veterinarian or groomer do this.
3. Clean gently. Rinse with cool water or a mild saline solution and pat the area dry. Do not scrub, and do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which damage healing tissue.
4. Apply an antiseptic. Spray a chlorhexidine antiseptic on the cleaned, dry area once or twice daily as directed on the label, and let it dry before releasing your dog outdoors.
5. Remove the cause. Check for fleas, brush out burrs, avoid fire ant mounds and dry your dog thoroughly after swimming.
6. Track the lesion. With consistent care, a mild superficial lesion typically starts to look drier and less red within several days. If it grows, oozes more or has not improved in 3 to 5 days, schedule a veterinary visit.

Veterinary Treatment Options and Where Chlorhexidine Fits

Veterinary care for deeper or widespread infection may include oral antibiotics chosen by cytology or culture, anti-itch medication for allergic dogs, removal of embedded foreign material, and sedation for painful hot spots that need clipping and cleaning. Topical therapy is recommended alongside systemic treatment and is often enough on its own for localized disease (Hillier et al., 2014).

Chlorhexidine is the most widely studied topical antiseptic in veterinary dermatology. It disrupts bacterial cell membranes, which makes it effective against staphylococci, and it has a residual effect that persists on the skin after application (Mueller et al., 2012). Chlorhexidine Spray applies this antiseptic directly to small lesions, scabs and irritated patches without requiring a bath, which suits spot care on a Texas dog that has just come in from the yard. For dogs with widespread involvement, a chlorhexidine shampoo is an option, and you can read more about bacterial skin infections in dogs and our step-by-step guide to treating a bacterial skin infection on a dog at home.

How Can You Prevent Heat, Burr and Fire Ant Skin Problems?

Prevention in Texas comes down to a few habits that cut exposure and keep the coat dry.

Heat and moisture: Keep your dog's coat clipped to a practical length rather than shaved to the skin, since the coat also protects against sunburn. Dry thoroughly after swimming and bathing, brush out mats promptly, and provide shade, water and air conditioning during the hottest hours.

Burrs and awns: After each walk, run your hands over the coat and check between the toes, in the ears, under the collar and in the armpits. Mow or avoid areas with sandburs and dry seed heads, and trim the hair between the toes of long-coated breeds.

Fire ants: Learn to recognize mounds in your yard, treat them with a pet-safe approach, and keep your dog away from fresh mounds, especially after heavy rain when colonies surface.

Allergy and fleas: Year-round flea prevention is important in Texas's mild winters. Dogs with seasonal allergies benefit from a plan made with their veterinarian, because controlling itch removes the starting point for most hot spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog get hot spots every summer in Texas?

Heat, humidity and swimming keep the coat damp, and itch from fleas or allergies triggers licking and chewing. Hot spots that return each summer usually point to an underlying trigger that your veterinarian can help identify.

How do I know if my dog has a grass burr stuck in its paw?

Sudden limping, constant licking of one paw, and a red swelling or draining spot between the toes are the usual signs. Burrs that have penetrated the skin should be removed by a veterinarian, since deep plant material can cause abscesses.

What should I do if my dog is stung by fire ants?

Brush off any ants, rinse the skin with cool water and keep your dog from chewing the welts. Call a veterinarian right away if you see facial swelling, vomiting, weakness or breathing difficulty, and watch the pustules for signs of infection.

Can I use chlorhexidine spray on my dog's hot spot?

A chlorhexidine antiseptic spray can be used on small, clean, dry lesions as directed on the label. Large, deep or very painful hot spots need a veterinary exam, since they may require clipping, oral medication or treatment of the underlying cause.

Sources

1. Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Veterinary Dermatology. 2014;25(3):163-e43.
2. Mueller RS, Bergvall K, Bensignor E, Bond R. A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast. Veterinary Dermatology. 2012;23(4):330-341.
3. Holm BR, Rest JR, Seewald W. A prospective study of the clinical findings, treatment and histopathology of 44 cases of pyotraumatic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology. 2004;15(6):369-376.
4. Hillier A, Griffin CE. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (I): incidence and prevalence. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 2001;81(3-4):147-151.
5. deShazo RD, Butcher BT, Banks WA. Reactions to the stings of the imported fire ant. New England Journal of Medicine. 1990;323(7):462-466.

Related Reading

• Preventing Hot Spots in Dogs: A Seasonal Prevention Guide
• Herding Dog Skin Hazards: Foxtails, Thorns, and Environmental Injuries
• How to Treat a Bacterial Skin Infection on a Dog at Home
• Grass Allergies in Dogs: Why Your Dog Itches After Playing Outside

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.