Demodex mites in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Demodex mites are tiny skin parasites that can cause skin problems and hair loss.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Demodex mites are tiny skin parasites that cause red, crusty, scaly skin and hair loss.^[1] Demodex infestations tend to focus around the eyes and feet.^[1]

Signs

Dry, scaly, wrinkly skin
Hair loss
Red, crusty skin or rashes
Greasy coat
Pus-filled spots
Dark, thickened skin
Itching

Causes and risk factors

Being less than a year old
Having another illness

How a vet finds out

A vet may take a skin scraping or use cytology to confirm the diagnosis

How vets treat it

Antibiotics
Antiparasitic treatment
Treatment may be given as a spot-on, tablet or shampoo
Some prescription flea treatments may be effective
Treatment may continue for several months
Some dogs with recurring problems may need treatment to continue after their signs have resolved

What the experts say

“Overview. Demodex mites are tiny skin parasites that cause red, crusty, scaly skin and hair loss. Demodex infestations tend to focus around the eyes and feet. Demodex mite infestations are most common in dogs less than a year old and those with other illness.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

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Common questions

What are Demodex mites?

Demodex mites are tiny skin parasites that can cause red, crusty, scaly skin and hair loss.^[1]

What signs can Demodex mites cause in dogs?

Signs can include dry, scaly, wrinkly skin, hair loss, red crusty skin or rashes, a greasy coat, pus-filled spots, dark thickened skin and itching.^[1]

How does a vet confirm Demodex mites?

Unless your dog’s symptoms point obviously towards Demodex mites, a vet may take a skin scraping, which is a small sample of your dog’s skin, to confirm the diagnosis.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages