Dog Scratching

Mites can be a real nuisance, causing irritation of the skin, resulting in itching, hair loss, and inflammation.

Both dogs and cats are very susceptible, with most types being highly contagious. 

Learn here about the signs of mites, the different types and what you should do if you suspect your pet has mites

    

   

What are the signs of mites

Signs of a mite infection will alter depending on the mite in question, but there are some signs that might point to mites as a potential problem:

  • Itching
  • Excessive licking of any area
  • Patches of hair loss
  • Head shaking
  • Excessive ear wax
  • Flaky skin

What can I do if I think my dog or cat has mites? 

It really depends on what type they have, this blog can help you to identify the different types and understand your options. If you are unsure and you think your dog or cats might have a mite infection, the best thing to do is to go to your vet. They can do a full physical examination and check your pet over to ensure their health.

The best way to prevent mites is to keep your dog’s immune system strong, making them less attractive to parasites and supporting the microbiome of their skin. Feeding a raw, whole-food diet full of natural nutrients is a great way to support your dog’s overall health. Using repellent shampoo, sprays and balms can help as preventative measures. 

Reducing your dog’s exposure to harsh chemicals can also go a long way in preventing ear mites and other parasites. Use natural cleaning products around the house and avoid chemical-based flea and tick preventatives. These chemicals can disrupt your dog’s skin health and leave him more vulnerable to parasites, so a more natural approach can be a safer bet in the long run.

Are all Mites the same? 

No, there are different species of mite, some burrow into the skin, some dwell in the hair follicles and some are external.

Common types include

  

Harvest mites

Watch out for these in the autumn time. Harvest mites are tiny, bright orange mites, nearly microscopic (0.4mm), the larvae often seen as clusters on skin.

These often cause problems for dogs in the late summer and autumn. They bite and cause intensely itchy, red, inflamed skin. Harvest mite infestations are most common on the feet, legs, belly, armpits and groin, and sometimes in the ears.

Adult harvest mites are generally harmless when they live in the soil and vegetation but the larvae can climb to the tips of long grass and weeds, waiting to swarm onto warm-blooded hosts like dogs, cats, or humans. They only feed for a couple of days and then drop off, but the itching can last a lot longer because of the saliva they leave behind.

What should you do?

PREVENTION is key- After walks, check the paws, ears and underside for the tiny orange larvae. Use natural repellents, shampoos or sprays such as Natural Enzymes Cedarcide or The Neem Team Dog Shield Spray 

Also, where possible, avoid long grass, rough pasture, woodland edges, hedgerows, bracken, scrub and gardens with dense vegetation or leaf litter, until the harvest mite season has passed. If you do see them physically washing as many off as possible with lukewarm water helps. Pure inner leaf Aloe Vera Gel is often good. 

    

Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis mites) : These are tiny, spider-like mites that cause severe ear itching, often visible as dark, crumbly debris inside the ear.

Usually your pet will scratch around their head and ears, head shaking, you will notice dark discharge and an unpleasant odour from ears.

These mites often infest the external ear, causing inflammation of the ear canal in dogs and especially in cats. Ear mites are usually found deep in the external ear canal, but they are sometimes seen on the body. The infested animal will shake its head and scratch its ear(s). In dogs with normally upright ears, the external ear may droop. The intensity of the itching varies and may be intense. In severe cases, the external ear may be inflamed and produce pus; a torn eardrum is also possible. 

Possible natural options to consider for Ear Mites

    

  Sarcoptic Mites (Scabies) (Burrow into the skin)  

They cause intense itching, redness, and hair loss; they burrow into the skin, can cause skin infections and are highly contagious.

Microscopic female mites, sarcoptes scabiei, burrow beneath the skin surface to lay eggs. Eggs hatch in 3 to 10 days and rise to the surface where they develop into adult mites and reproduce. The sarcoptic mite can survive 5 days without a host. Adult mites live for 3 to 4 weeks. And the cycle repeats. 

To minimize it spreading, it is really important to decontaminate your home. 

  • Keep your pet off furniture and wash their bedding and towels in the hottest water possible. Dry on high heat too.
  • Put their toys and bowls through the dishwasher. 
  • Vigorously vacuum floors, rugs, upholstery.
  • Steam where possible .
  • Apply diatomaceous earth in vehicles, kennels, rugs, floorboards and baseboards, furniture and mattresses where mites may be. It dehydrates the exoskeletons of insects and parasites like mites causing death.
  • If it is a severe infestation bag and seal soft items, rugs and even furniture and store for several weeks so mites die off. 
  • Try and keep them away from other pets and treat other pets in your home in case it has spread.

Not all dogs have signs when they are infested with sarcoptic mange mites. Usually, though, the animal will have intense itching that comes on suddenly. The itching is probably caused by sensitivity to the mites’ droppings. Initially, infested skin will erupt with small, solid bumps. Because the dog scratches or bites itself to relieve the itch, these bumps and the surrounding skin are often damaged, causing thick, crusted sores. Secondary yeast or bacterial infections can develop in the damaged skin. Usually, the sores appear first on the abdomen, chest, ears, elbows, and legs. If it is not diagnosed and treated, the sores can spread over the entire body. 

Sarcoptic mites can affect both humans and dogs but they cannot complete their lifecycle on human skin making infection a matter of short term irritation. If you think you may have been exposed to mites, always contact your doctor for advice. 

Consult your vet if you think your pet has sarcoptic mites. Be aware though that it can be hard to get a definitive diagnosis for sarcoptic mites. Several skin scrapings might be needed before the mites or mite eggs are captured for viewing under a microscope.

  

Possible natural options to consider for Sarcoptic mites

Natural ways to support your pet if it does have Sarcoptic mites include bathing your pet twice a week, usually for several weeks. Canine herbalist Rita Hogan recommends using neem shampoos for dogs.

Other options include

Natural Enzymes KG Pet Spray is a multi-purpose product and may be effective for mange, fleas, ticks, mites and itchy skin problems. They also do a Shampoo – KG Shampoo

IMPORTANT- Please note that treatment and eventual eradication, does very much depend on the specific type of mite, the life stage of the mites at the time of the application of any product, the severity of the condition on the pet at the time and how it has affected their immune system. Eggs and larva can be particularly difficult to eradicate and can require repeated applications to break the life cycle even when a product has been purchased through the vet. Even then it may take several months and requires multiple clear skin scrapings to confirm eradication.

Demodex mites 

      Demodex mites live deeper in the skin than sarcoptic mites. Demodectic mange is usually due to a compromised immune system.

There are different types of Demodex Mites, it is based on distribution, depth, and age of onset

1. By Distribution and Extent

This can be either

Localized Demodicosis: Defined as 4 to 5 or fewer small, circumscribed lesions/spots (typically ≤2.5 cm or confined to 1–2 regions like the face, lips, around the eyes and forelimbs). It is common in young dogs under 6–18 months. They do not tend to be itchy and often ( about 90% ) clear up on their own without treatment.

Generalized Demodicosis: Widespread involvement (>4–5 lesions, large body areas, or entire regions affected). This is often linked to an inherited T-cell immune defect (juvenile-onset) or  if a pet has been on long term steroids and has a weakened immune system. In older dogs Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s can trigger demodicosis.

This type can lead to a sense of itching, causing the dog to scratch. The scratching can then lead to a break down in the skin barrier and result in further damage, which can then cause bacterial and yeast infections, leading to more itching and discomfort. The symptoms are hair loss, skin thickening, a yellow-ish debris is matted around the base of hairs, red bumps (called papules) and skin infections and variable itching. It can affect both puppies and adults.

Canine demodex mites are species-specific, which means your dog’s demodex mites won’t thrive on you. 

2. By Anatomic Location 

Pododermatitis:This is when it is strictly confined to the paws and interdigital spaces.Often severe, chronic, and notoriously difficult to clear due to deep anatomical structures and secondary bacterial infections.

In the case of generalised Demodicosis your vet may recommend skin tests. These tests will look for the mites themselves, which are often invisible or barely visible to the human eye. These tests can include skin scrapes, which involve making a small graze on your dog’s skin – this is necessary to diagnose deep parasites such as demodex, and while a little uncomfortable is an important part of getting the right treatment for your dog. 

Natural options are similar to sarcoptic mites

   

    Cheyietiellosis: Is also known as "Walking Dandruff".

       The Cheyletiella yasguri mite can actually be seen with the human eye, moving around the coat of the pet dog, cat or rabbit, hamster, and others. These mites have a life cycle of 21 days and are very contagious.     They can be passed between animals as well as humans. This type of mange is usually found in shelters, boarding kennels and anywhere with a dense animal or human population. 

 

The Holistic Hound – Don’t Bug Me

The Holistic Hound – The Mitee Balm

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