How Do You Get Rid of Mites on Dogs?
The short answer: get a vet diagnosis first, then treat with the specific medication your vet prescribes — a medicated dip or shampoo, a topical, or an oral medication — and clean or replace all bedding to stop re-infestation. Mites are microscopic, so the right treatment depends entirely on which kind your dog has. Guessing wastes time and lets the problem spread. Below is a plain, practical rundown so you know what to expect.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We spend our days around dogs and dog owners, and skin problems like mites come up a lot. This isn't veterinary advice — it's a straightforward guide to help you understand the problem and act quickly.
What Are Mites on Dogs?
Mites are tiny parasites that live on or in your dog's skin and cause a range of skin conditions collectively called mange. According to the American Kennel Club, the three types you'll most often run into are:
- Sarcoptic mange (scabies): Highly contagious, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Triggers intense itching, redness, and crusty skin, and can spread to other pets and even briefly to people.
- Demodectic mange (demodex): Caused by Demodex mites that live on most dogs normally. It becomes a problem mainly in puppies or dogs with weakened immune systems, causing patchy hair loss and secondary skin infections.
- Ear mites: Very common in puppies and highly contagious between animals. They cause head-shaking, intense ear itching, and a dark, coffee-ground-like discharge.
What Are the Signs of Mites on a Dog?
The VCA Animal Hospitals note the most common symptoms to watch for:
- Constant scratching or biting at the skin from relentless itching.
- Hair loss or bald patches, often around the ears, elbows, and belly.
- Redness, sores, and inflammation on irritated skin.
- Crusty, scaly skin, especially with sarcoptic mange.
- Dark ear discharge and head-shaking with ear mites.
How Do Vets Treat Mites on Dogs?
Treatment always starts with a diagnosis, because the medication that clears one type of mite may do nothing for another. Here's the typical path:
- See your veterinarian. A vet confirms the mite type with a skin scraping or ear swab and prescribes the right treatment. This is the single most important step.
- Medicated baths or dips. Prescription shampoos and dips kill mites on the skin and calm the irritation, often used over several weeks.
- Topical medications. Vet-prescribed spot-on or applied treatments work well for localized or widespread infestations, including many modern flea-and-tick products that also cover mites.
- Oral medications. For stubborn or severe cases, oral medication works from the inside out and is often the most effective option for sarcoptic and demodectic mange.
- Clean and isolate. Wash or replace bedding, clean your dog's favorite spots, and keep an infected dog away from other pets until your vet says it's clear. The ASPCA stresses this to prevent contagious mites from coming back or spreading.
How Can You Help Prevent Mites?
You can't guarantee your dog never gets mites, but a strong immune system and a clean environment go a long way:
- Keep up regular vet check-ups so problems get caught early.
- Wash bedding often and keep your dog's spaces clean.
- Stay current on preventatives — ask your vet which flea-tick-mite product fits your dog.
- Feed for a healthy immune system. Good nutrition helps your dog fend off parasites, and that includes the treats you reach for every day.
Do Treats Really Matter for Skin and Immune Health?
They do more than people think. Cheap chews loaded with fillers, additives, and rawhide add nothing to your dog's health and can upset digestion. At Bully Sticks Central we make single-ingredient chews that are 100% natural, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide — all ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. Our bully sticks are a simple, protein-rich chew that supports overall wellness while keeping your dog busy. If you've got a young dog, our guide to bully sticks for puppies covers safe chewing as they grow. Everything we sell is 100% high-quality guaranteed — because a healthy dog starts with what goes in the bowl and the treat jar.
When Should You Call the Vet?
Call your vet if you see persistent scratching, hair loss, sores, crusty skin, or dark ear discharge. Mites rarely clear up on their own, and the longer you wait, the more uncomfortable your dog gets and the more likely a contagious type spreads to other pets. A quick visit gets you an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment the first time.
The Bottom Line
Getting rid of mites comes down to three things: confirm the type with your vet, follow the prescribed dip, topical, or oral treatment, and clean the environment so they don't come back. Pair that with regular check-ups, a clean home, and quality nutrition, and you'll keep your dog comfortable and mite-free.
This post was last updated at August 7, 2026 03:45
