Mary Allen
With the beginning of summer, grass mites are in high season again. Whether or not you need to treat your dog depends on the symptoms they are exhibiting.
If grass mites are plaguing your dog, there is nothing to worry about at first. The small arachnids are annoying but usually harmless.
But how can an infestation actually be recognized? If you look closely, you will discover small orange-yellow dots in the affected areas. Grass mites sometimes cause severe itching, which is further intensified by the dog scratching.
Prevent Infestation by Grass Mites
Specifically, it is the larvae of the grass mite that cause the itching. They generally prefer parts of the body with particularly thin skin and primarily infest parts of the body that come into contact with the ground or grass: paws, head, legs, abdomen, and chest.
The most effective preventive measure against grass mites in dogs is therefore simple: after playing in the grass, wash your four-legged friend’s stomach, chest, legs, and dog paws with lukewarm water to wash away the larvae.
Grass Mites in Dogs: What To Do?
If the parasites have already established themselves, further measures must be taken. Since the mites usually have no harmful effect on the dog, it is sufficient to treat the symptoms:
- Wash your four-legged friend with an antiparasitic shampoo to relieve the itching.
- Apply an anti-inflammatory ointment to the affected area if your dog is already scratching.
- Wash all blankets and clean all lying places of your fur nose thoroughly, as you would do if infested with other parasites – such as ticks or fleas.
It can still happen that the skin around the puncture sites becomes inflamed. Then further measures are usually necessary. In such cases and if you are unsure whether grass mites are really responsible for your dog’s symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian. Do not start treatment on your own.
Home Remedies for Grass Mites in Dogs
A proven home remedy for grass mites in dogs is apple cider vinegar. It is used both for prevention and for supportive treatment in the event of a mite infestation. Many dog owners swear by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to their dog’s drinking water two to three times a week. This not only has an anti-inflammatory effect but often also keeps mites away.
If the dog has grass mites, coconut oil can also help: the lauric acid it contains attacks the chitinous armor of the parasites and kills them. Simply rub the dog’s fur regularly with a walnut-sized amount of coconut oil and wipe the four-legged friend’s ears with a cloth soaked in liquid coconut oil.