When it comes to dog mites, there are different types – and unfortunately, mite infection is easily spread between pets and individuals.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent and treat this embarrassing problem.
Dog dandruff and Shedding are common problems for dogs owners, but there is not a single cause for these unpleasant symptoms. For example, allergies can cause skin and coat problems, but worms can also contribute to less than the desired conditions.
also read: Happy Tail Syndrome in Dogs
What are Dog Mites?
Although it is easy to mistake a mite for a worm, it is not classified as an insect. Instead, the mites are a type of arthropod (joint-legged invertebrates), belonging to the arachnid, which resembles a spider.
There are four types of worms that can harm dogs:
- Demodex canis mites
- Sarcoptes scabby mites
- Otodectese cynotis mites
- Cheyletiella yasguri mites
How to get rid of dog mites in your home?
When it comes to dog mites, prevention is better than cure and is considered the best strategy. In addition to adhering to flea and tick prevention medications prescribed by your veterinarian, keep these tips in mind:
- Raise your pet regularly
- Use shampoos that are suitable for pets
- Provide grain-free, dairy-free organic dog food while strengthening your dog’s immune system
- Dog Ear cleaning solution to wash your pooch ears
- Support healthy skin and coat by adding healthy omega-3 fatty acids to your puppy’s diet.
- Regularly laundry (or re-infect) your pet’s bedding
- Check your pet’s skin regularly for signs of worms, flies or ticks
- Consider bathing your pet after any boarding sessions in the kennel
Dog mite symptoms
If you notice any of the below symptoms in your dog, they may have mites:
- Hair loss (in patches or all over their coat)
- Dandruff
- Excessive scratching
- Irritation that looks like red skin
- You can also see worms on their skin – peel off the fur and look closely
Diagnosis of mites in dogs
You can find out if your dog has worms by carefully studying their skin. If they are mostly scratching, biting, or chewing you may suspect they have worms and examine them closely.
However, your veterinarian is the best person to diagnose worms in your dog. They can tell you what worms your dog has and how to treat them.
Your veterinarian will usually diagnose worms by examining a piece of skin or hair under a microscope – this is a completely safe procedure. This will help them identify the type of worms that are affecting your dog.
How to treat dogs with mites
The good news is that most insect bites can be treated with a simple anti-parasite wash. Antimicrobial shampoos can help cure your dog of a variety of mites. You can buy them from many pet stores, but it is best to ask your veterinarian first to make sure you are using the right shampoo.
Your veterinarian may instead prescribe medicine or spot-on medicine to help you get rid of the disease. Sometimes more than one treatment is used at a time and they need to be performed for a while. The only thing you must do is be patient — and very soon your dog will be free of mites!
How do mites get into dogs?
Dogs can pick up worms from many places. They are usually transmitted from dog to dog, but they can also come from their environment.
Your dog can catch worms if it comes into contact with another dog that has things like animal shelter or clothing. Most dogs are inspected before using these services, but accidents do occur. Your dog can also pick them up from another dog when you go out and walk.
Dog worms can live in their bed or carpet-like environment, even after they or another dog has become contaminated.
Your dog would pick those again, so you need to make sure everything is clean and free of mites after a known infestation.
Basic Maintenance for Prevention
Mites are something every pet owner can see at some point in their dog’s life.
But unless you live in a very dirty environment or you adopt a dog from extreme conditions, your dog is less likely to experience mites.
Dogs that live in well-maintained clean homes are less likely to have insect problems than dogs that come from clean and dirty areas. Preventing mites is a natural side effect of great dressing practices and keeping your dog areas clean and tidy.