Yes, the four active ingredients in the Animax ointment can treat hotspots in dogs and cats. The underlying cause of a hot spot in dogs can be anything that causes a severe itch. These can range from fleas, mites, food allergy, airborne allergy, insect bites, and poor hygiene, among others. If you see signs of intense itching, the sudden appearance of a warm and swollen patch of skin, pus exuding lesions with foul smell, and rapid loss of hair in that particular spot.