While your pet may not seem like it needs much care, their skin does require some maintenance. For instance, if your dog becomes overheated, their skin will become dry and flaky. When this happens, your dog can develop a condition called hot spot dermatitis. A hot spot is an area on a dog’s skin that gets especially warm when touched. The result is a red, irritated patch of skin. Hot spot dermatitis can lead to other problems for your dog including hair loss and itching. Dogs with dry skin can also develop another condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis causes greasy patches of skin to appear on the dog’s coat. These patches eventually break down into flakes and fall off the dog’s coat. Over time, this can create bald areas on the dog’s skin. In addition to causing discomfort, these areas can also trap dirt and bacteria that make your pet more susceptible to infection. All of these conditions can lead to serious health issues for your dog. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent them from occurring.