Mange in dogs: types, symptoms and natural remedies

Updated 18/09/2023

Is your pooch itching, scratching, and seeming irritated in their own skin? If you notice red or scaly patches and even hair loss, there’s a chance your poor fluffy friend has mange. What is mange, though? Well it’s a pretty unpleasant skin disease caused by microscopic mites living on or under your dog’s skin. Mange in dogs is really uncomfortable (like dog eye gunk), and should be treated right away. 

While our fluffy friends can catch mites from anywhere, they’re commonly spread in kennels, where multiple four-legged cuties are kept in confined conditions. And the last thing you want is to return home from vacation to a dog with creepy crawlies on their skin! That’s why we’d always recommend welcoming a house sitter so that your furry family member can stay in the safety, comfort and cleanliness of home, away from other infected animals. 

Here, we dive into the types, symptoms and treatments for mange, and whether natural remedies for mange in dogs will help. In this way, you and your house sitter know exactly what to expect from this common canine problem.

What is mange in dogs?

Mange is a skin disease that’s caused by microscopic mites that take refuge on or beneath your dog’s skin. There are a few different types of mange, which we’ll dive into, snouts first (gross!) below. There are two different types of mites that cause mange in dogs. Sarcoptes mites live just under the surface of the skin (causing sarcoptic mange), and demodex mites live in the hair follicles (causing demodectic mange).

It’s safe to say that mange in dogs is a pretty unpleasant experience for our furry friends. Your poor fluffball might experience intense itching (if they have sarcoptic mange), hair loss, skin thickening, ear discharge and infection. Mange damages the skin, making it vulnerable to further infections (such as bacterial/fungal skin infections). While it’s the worst thing in the world to witness your four-legged buddy suffering, there are ways to cure mange. Dogs with stronger immune systems are easier to treat, while it can be slightly more challenging to treat older pooches. While you’re probably itching to learn about the mange treatments available, to better understand your pup’s condition (and to treat it more effectively), we’re firstly going to take a look at the types of mange and the symptoms to look out for.

Demodectic mange

Let’s start with demodectic mange. As we mentioned, the type of mite your pup is infested with determines the type of mange. Demodectic mange is caused by demodex mites - microscopic creatures that live on dog’s skin, in the hair follicles. A small number of demodex mites live in healthy dog skin - it’s only abnormal when the demodex mites overgrow. This happens due to reduced immunity.

Fortunately, demodectic mange are less likely to cause significant problems in healthy, young adult dogs. Problems (i.e. severe symptoms and secondary skin conditions) are more likely to occur in sick, old, or very young dogs. Why? Well this demographic is less likely to be able to produce a sufficient immune response to the mites. Young puppies have developing immune systems. If a small puppy has demodectic mange, the likelihood is that they contracted it from their mother. It often occurs in small areas, most commonly around the eyes and paws (but it can spread across most of your poor pup’s body).

Symptoms of demodectic mange

While demodectic mange can affect most of your dog’s body, it’s most commonly found in localized areas. Symptoms to look out for include…

• Patches of hair loss
• Red, scaly skin
• Swelling
• Crusting

Affected pups may or may not be itchy. Itching occurs due to a secondary skin infection (e.g. bacterial/fungal infection) that may develop due to untreated mange.

If you suspect your pup has demodectic mange, we’d highly recommend getting confirmation from your vet. One of the most common ways demodectic mange in dogs is diagnosed is through skin scraping - this allows vets to take a sample and find any mites under a microscope. It’s worth noting that if your pup has a negative result, they may need another test to be sure (especially if your pooch has symptoms).

Sarcoptic mange

Sarcoptic mange in dogs is caused by sarcoptes mites. These microscopic creatures bury themselves beneath the skin, causing mange in dogs and scabies in humans. You might be wondering how the mites survive beneath the skin’s surface - well they live off material that’s in and on the skin. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, passing easily from dog to dog, and dog to human. The mites prefer hairless skin and can infest localized areas (like ear flaps, belly and elbows), but they can also affect the entirety of your dog’s body. 

If you suspect your pup has sarcoptic mange, we’d highly recommend getting confirmation from your vet. It is harder to diagnose sarcoptic mange with a skin scrape (compared to demodectic mange) so your vet may need to take multiple skin scrapes. Why? Well the mites are pretty speedy, so many escape the scrape!

Common symptoms of sarcoptic mange

Early stage mange in dogs usually begins with itching. Further symptoms then occur for more mild cases, as well as advanced (which we’ll explore below). Pay close attention to areas where your pup naturally has less hair, like their belly, groin, elbows, armpits and ear flaps. Let’s take a look at what you can keep an eye out for…

• Crusty skin
• Scaly skin
• Rashes
• Hair loss
• Skin bumps (where the mites have burrowed beneath the skin’s surface)
• Sores (most commonly caused by scratching)
• Intense itching

Advanced symptoms of sarcoptic mange include:

• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Tiredness and sluggishness
• Irritability

As well as these symptoms, dogs with sarcoptic mange can also develop secondary skin infections if left untreated. These are most commonly bacterial and yeast infections, as well as thickened skin and dandruff.

Cheyletiella mange

Another type of dog mange, cheyletiella, is a skin condition caused by mites known as Cheyletiella yasguri. Cheyletiella causes a “dandruff”-like appearance on the skin, with large flakes - itching may or may not be present. 

What to do about mange in dogs

Like with any health-related issue, it’s always best to get your vet’s recommendations first. Vets will prescribe treatments (e.g. spot-ons, medicated baths) for the mange and secondary skin infections. There are also natural remedies to help with skin healing.

What are the dog mange treatments out there?

Before we dive into the natural mange remedies for dogs, it’s useful for you to be aware of the main treatments out there. Mange in dogs is most commonly met with treatments including…

• Dog shampoo 
• Over-the-counter medications and topical treatments
• Flea treatments
• Oral and topical medication prescribed by your vet
• Medicated baths prescribed by your vet

Natural mange remedies for dogs

Mange in dogs should first be met with an examination or advice from your vet. If you’re going to try any natural mange remedies, it’s best to run these by your vet, just to check that they won’t interfere with any medications or treatments that have been prescribed. Do note that natural mange remedies will not treat the mites, but they can help to soothe the skin and potentially speed up wound healing. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some natural mange treatments:

Medical-grade Manuka honey

Has your pup developed wounds from all that itching? Studies suggest that manuka honey has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties may speed up wound healing. Remember to consult your veterinarian before slathering honey on your pup!

Aloe vera

Known for its calming, cooling effects, aloe vera gel is often a no-brainer when it comes to red, inflamed skin. Aloe vera extract can help to settle itchy, irritated skin, while helping to add moisture and protect the skin’s barrier. This could help make your poor pup comfortable while they recover from mange. Remember to consult your vet on the aloe vera preparations to use on your pup.

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at
Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!

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