Demodex in Dogs

Written by Noa | July 28, 2025

Demodex is a mite that can occur on the skin of dogs. Unlike most other mites, demodex is part of the normal skin inhabitants of a dog's skin. However, some dogs can develop serious skin problems from this mite. These are often puppies and young dogs. For this reason, a demodex infection is also called "puppy mange" or "juvenile mange." How does a demodex infection develop? And how can you treat it? We explain that here!

What is Demodex?

Demodex is a mite. Mites are spider-like creatures. They come in various shapes and sizes. For example, we know the house dust mite and the grain mite, which can be found in homes. Mites can also live on the skin of dogs. These include, for example, the scabies mite (Sarcoptes) and the fur mite (Cheyletiella). These mites do not normally live on dogs’ skin and cause problems when they do.

Demodex, on the other hand, lives in the skin of dogs. They live in small numbers in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the dog. Almost all dogs have this mite. Puppies get the mite from their mother during nursing after birth. Beyond that, this mite is not contagious to other dogs.

How do symptoms develop in your dog from demodex?

In a healthy dog, the immune system prevents an overgrowth of demodex mites. When the immune defense is weakened, demodex mites can multiply. Overpopulation of demodex mites leads to symptoms. This condition is called demodicosis.

Which dogs get sick from demodex?

As mentioned, demodex only becomes a problem if a dog’s immune system is compromised. The following dogs are at higher risk for demodicosis:

Puppies and young dogs up to 18 months old
Dogs with underlying diseases or immune suppression
Dogs with poor coat condition
Dogs sensitive to disruptions in sebum production
Certain breeds, such as Bull Terriers, Boxers, Bordeaux Dogs, Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers

There is a genetic predisposition for demodicosis. Therefore, breeding dogs that have had a demodex infection is not recommended.

What symptoms does demodex cause in dogs?

Demodex can appear in different forms in dogs: localized, generalized, and a less common form called pododemodicosis, where mites infest the paws.

Symptoms include:

Bald patches
Scaling and crust formation
Redness of the skin
Bacterial skin infections

Initially, a demodex infection does not cause itching. However, if the skin is severely affected and infections are present, your dog may develop itching.

In pododemodicosis, painful inflammation of the paws is seen.

If the infection becomes chronic, the skin thickens and darkens.

How do I know if my dog has demodex?

Demodex is more common in young dogs and those with short coats.

Your veterinarian will diagnose demodicosis by taking deep skin scrapings from affected areas of your dog. These scrapings must be deep enough to cause slight bleeding because the mites live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Multiple scrapings from several locations are required.

The veterinarian examines the scrapings under a microscope. If demodicosis is present, the mites will be visible.

How do I treat my dog with demodex?

Treatment depends on the severity and location of the symptoms.

In severe cases, your dog must be treated with an anti-parasitic medication to kill the mites. It is also important to support your dog’s immune system.

Treatment options include spot-on products like Advocate or oral medications like Bravecto. Treatment should continue until two consecutive scrapings taken one month apart show no mites. This usually means at least three months of treatment.

If your young dog has localized demodex, good coat care and immune support through quality nutrition and supplements may suffice. Immune support can be enhanced with products such as Phytonics Immu Boost Pro.

Try to avoid stress during treatment, as it affects the immune system.

If your dog has an infected skin area, additional support with antimicrobial shampoo and omega-3 fatty acids can help—for example, Peptivet shampoo combined with Doils Vital or Dermoscent PYOspot. For local infections, such as on the paws, CLX wipes can be a good disinfectant.

The normal skin flora can be supported with Linkskin Spray or tablets.

Demodex in adult dogs

If your adult dog develops demodicosis, it is wise to work with your veterinarian to identify any underlying cause. In adult dogs, demodex infections typically occur only due to immune suppression. It is therefore important to address the cause of the weakened immunity.

Can demodex mites be treated with natural remedies?

Natural remedies do not kill the mites but can make the dog’s skin less attractive to them. For this, products like Organimal Mite & Lice Spray can be used.

Additionally, natural products can support your dog’s immune system and help restore the skin, such as Phytonics Immu Boost Pro and Doils Skin. These may also help prevent demodicosis.

Is demodex contagious to humans?

The demodex mite found on dogs is NOT contagious to humans.

Humans do have their own demodex mite, called Demodex folliculorum, which can cause problems. This mite normally lives in human hair follicles. When overgrown, it can cause demodex folliculitis.

What is the prognosis for a dog with demodex?

In most cases of demodicosis, the prognosis is good, and the infection is controlled within three months. The localized form is generally easier to treat than the generalized form, which affects the entire body.

If the skin is severely infected, treatment may take longer. If there is an underlying cause, the prognosis depends on that condition.

If you have any questions about demodex in dogs, please contact dierenarts@medpets.nl.