How To Treat A Dog For Mites
Introduction
Just like with humans, dogs can get mites, which are tiny parasites that live on the skin. These little critters suck blood, causing intense irritation and itching for your furry friend. While they’re not pleasant to deal with, mites are easy to diagnose and treat—if you know what to do. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to tell if your dog has mites and how to get rid of them so that Fido can go back to being his fun-loving self as soon as possible!
Step 1 – Take the dog to a vet for proper diagnosis.
Take your dog to a vet and get him properly diagnosed. This is important, so don’t skip it. Not all mites are alike, and some can be deadly if left untreated. Your vet will have the right tools and knowledge to identify the type of mite that’s infecting your pet, which will help them prescribe the best treatment plan for both of you.
Common types of mites include:
- Demodex – These parasites live in the hair follicles on dogs’ faces and around their eyes. They are not usually harmful unless they become very numerous; however, they can cause irritation around the eyes or nose when rubbed by grooming brushes or fingers that haven’t been washed after handling another animal with demodex (such as cats).
- Sarcoptes scabies (scabies) – Scabies are tiny mites that burrow under your dog’s skin where they lay eggs which hatch into larvae that feed on tissue fluid before maturing into adult mites again themselves after about three weeks, laying more eggs in their wake at various locations along their route out from under your dog’s skin during this period until they reach his outermost layer where they lay another batch before dying off completely due to starvation away from where food sources exist within his body cavity but still within reach because he moves around so much during exercise activities like running around outside playing fetching sticks/balls etcetera while also picking up these parasites along with everything else living outside too!
Step 2 – Treat the environment by washing bedding with hot water and vacuuming often.
The second step in treating a dog for mites is to treat the environment. This involves washing all bedding, toys, and other surfaces that come into contact with your dog with hot water and drying it on high heat in your dryer. This can be done in one of two ways:
- Wash the items by hand (this will take longer).
- Run the wash cycle twice (to ensure proper cleaning).
Step 3 – Reduce the pet’s exposure to fleas and flea bites.
To reduce your pet’s exposure to fleas and flea bites, keep him away from other animals. If you have a cat or other animal that is infested with mites, it’s best to keep them separated until the infestation has been resolved.
If you don’t want your dog in places where there are other dogs, then keep him out of those areas too.
Likewise, if there are areas where there are lots of fleas (think parks or dog parks), try not to take your dog out at all if possible.
Finally, make sure that if you do go somewhere with your pup where there might be lots of mite eggs in the environment (think grassy fields) or adult fleas hopping around on people and animals (like at a local farmers market), give them a bath immediately upon returning home so that any mites that may have latched onto them will be killed off along with the rest of their body oils in the water
Step 4 – Consider feeding the dog a healthy diet that is high in fatty acids, vitamin E and selenium which will boost its immune system.
- Consider feeding the dog a healthy diet that is high in fatty acids, vitamin E and selenium which will boost its immune system. A balanced diet with protein, fat and carbohydrates can help to provide an energy source for your dog’s body to protect itself from infection.
Examples of healthy foods:
Whole eggs (chicken or duck)
Chicken necks and backs
Bacon rinds (not the meat)
Ground meat bones – without added preservatives or additives!
Coconut oil
Step 5 – Apply scaleswort oil, emu oil or coconut oil to affected areas three times a day.
To use scaleswort oil, emu oil or coconut oil, apply a small amount to the affected areas of your dog’s skin three times per day. Rub the oil into the skin and not the fur. Apply only to those areas where you see mites. If your dog has an irritated or itchy rash around where he is scratching his ears, apply a thin layer of olive oil over this area at night before bedtime so that it can soak in overnight.
If you think your dog may have mites be sure to take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you think your dog may have mites, it is important to take it to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. If you don’t see a vet, you may be treating for the wrong thing or missing more serious conditions.
Conclusion
So, now you are an expert on how to treat your dog for mites.