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For many dog owners, watching their pup struggle with a skin disease is a heartbreaking daily reality. Skin conditions are incredibly common among dogs, and they’re not always easy to diagnose because the symptoms often overlap; itching, redness, and inflamed hot spots are the usual suspects. The causes also vary, as they can be viral, bacterial, allergic … or, in the case of canine mange, parasitic.
Mange can be caused by two different types of parasitic mites, so getting an accurate diagnosis of which specific mange type your dog is suffering from is the key to providing him with the best treatment plan. Unfortunately, the conventional veterinary treatments for mange are the exact same prescription drugs that are used for fleas, ticks, and heartworm prevention. The adverse effects and neurotoxicity of these drugs are well-known and widely documented … but is there an alternative? In this article, we’ll help you understand the two different types of mange and present the best natural treatment options that come with a scientific stamp of approval.
Canine Mange 101 — Recognizing the Two Types and Their Symptoms
Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by tiny mites, invisible to the naked eye, that live on the dog’s skin and inside the roots of the fur. Because these parasites are invisible without a microscope, and the symptoms of mange overlap with other skin conditions, a trip to the veterinarian is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The diagnostic process will involve analyzing cells from your dog’s skin and fur, but it might also include a fecal sample and other tests.
There are two types of mites that trigger canine mange: Demodex, which causes demodectic mange, and Sarcoptes, which causes sarcoptic mange. Both types can affect a smaller area of the skin at first and eventually spread throughout the whole body. Both types are also most commonly seen in rescue and stray dog populations, due to weakened immune systems and high stress. The main difference between the two mange types is that sarcoptic mange is highly contagious for other pets and humans, while demodectic mange is generally not contagious. In terms of prevalence, demodectic mange is more common.
Demodectic mange in dogs
As mentioned, demodectic mange (also known as canine demodicosis or simply demodex) is caused by the Demodex mites. These mites actually live in the skin of all dogs and normally don’t cause any problems — unless there’s a genetic predisposition or an immune system issue at play. Puppies, who don’t yet have a fully developed immune system, usually get demodicosis from their mothers, while adult dogs develop it as a consequence of a weakened immune system caused by a primary disease, such as cancer or Cushing’s syndrome.
The photo is the property of Dr. Michael W. Dryden, via MSD Manual.
The photo is the property of MonVt.
The most common symptoms of demodectic mange are: the loss of hair, changes in skin color as it becomes reddened or darkened, small lumps on the skin’s surface, and the appearance of scales (dry, flaky bits). Itchiness can be present and is usually a result of secondary infections. Demodicosis in a small area often resolves itself without treatment — especially in puppies, as their immune system gets stronger. But if a larger area of the dog’s skin is affected, treatment is definitely necessary.
Sarcoptic mange in dogs
Sarcoptic mange (also called scabies) is a contagious type of mange. It can be transferred to other dogs, cats, and even humans. The Sarcoptes mites can’t effectively reproduce on human skin, though, so they eventually naturally die off. When your dog gets diagnosed with scabies, the protocol is very similar to a flea infestation — you have to wash all the surfaces, beds, toys, blankets, clothes, and everything else the dog came in contact with. If you have multiple pets living together, they’re all going to need scabies treatment, even if they’re not displaying symptoms yet. If only one dog is showing symptoms, it’s best to keep him isolated from the other pets.
Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange often happen in dog shelters, especially when there’s overcrowding and poor hygiene. They can also happen through direct or indirect contact with wild animals, like foxes and coyotes.
The photo is the property of Dr. Michael W. Dryden, via MSD Manual.
The photo is the property of Todd Caldecott, via Dogwood Botanical.
The most common symptoms of sarcoptic mange are: strong itching that comes out of nowhere, wounds caused by the dog scratching or biting himself, hair loss, small red bumps, areas of crusted skin, and changed skin texture (flaky, thick, wrinkly).
Medication Therapy for Canine Mange
Conventional veterinary treatment for both types of mange primarily includes the same prescription medication that is used for fleas, ticks, and heartworm: NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica, and others. These meds belong to a class of insecticides called isoxazolines, which work by disrupting the normal functioning of the parasite’s nervous system. The problem is that this method of action often affects dogs as well, which is why seizures have been reported in thousands of dogs who have taken them.
The FDA is well aware of the neurotoxicity of these drugs and has even issued a warning of caution to dog owners … but unfortunately, the drugs remain on the market and continue to be widely prescribed. If you want to learn more about isoxazolines, hear first-person stories from affected dog owners, and learn concrete numbers of dog seizures (and deaths!) this class of medication has caused, we covered it all in detail in our NexGard for Dogs: A Dangerous Gamble piece.
Dog mange shampoo with benzoyl peroxide
In cases where larger areas of the dog’s skin are affected by mange, veterinarians may also recommend a shampoo with benzoyl peroxide — a very strong chemical that requires some precaution. It has a drying and potentially irritating effect on the skin, which can be an issue for dogs who already suffer from dry, flaky, and inflamed skin as a result of mange. Benzoyl peroxide is photosensitive, meaning the dog’s skin can develop a painful reaction when exposed to the sun after being treated with the shampoo. As the owner, you have to wear gloves when handling the shampoo. This chemical also has a bleaching effect, which can affect your dog’s coat, as well as any clothes and fabrics the pup comes in contact with.
But benzoyl peroxide has another big issue. In 2024, several cosmetic products were recalled because the benzoyl peroxide inside them had turned into benzene, a proven carcinogenic chemical. Apparently, this reaction is a result of time and temperature; as products sit in warm bathrooms, over time, the benzoyl peroxide turns into a toxic chemical. For context, the FDA allows two parts per million of benzene in cosmetic products — some of the recalled items contained well over 1,000 ppm. The testing also showed another worrying reality: even closed benzoyl peroxide products were leaking carcinogenic benzene into the surrounding air.
Natural, Science-Backed Treatments for Dog Mange
The foundation of treating mange is a strong, healthy immune system; there’s no way around that. There’s a reason why both types of this skin disease mostly affect dogs from complicated backgrounds and unknown genetics. You can use all the shampoos in the world, but if your dog’s immune system stays weak, the infestation could easily return — even more so with demodectic mange. Any topical treatment for mange should be used alongside an immune system-boosting protocol. 80% of immune cells are located directly in the dog’s gut, so that should always be your starting point. Here are a few of our articles that can help:
- The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
- Making Sense of All Raw Dog Food Options
- How to Improve Your Dog’s Kibble Diet
- How to Invest in Your Dog’s Health the Right Way
Now, as we look at some of the best natural and evidence-based topical solutions for both types of mange, keep in mind that treating this skin disease takes time and patience. It can take several weeks before the mites clear up!
1 — Neem
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is the best natural remedy for treating mange; it has been studied in different forms and repeatedly proven to be effective. One study, specifically conducted on dogs, looked at three different topical neem preparations — neem oil mixed with carrier oil, neem leaves boiled in water, and neem extract mixed with three other plant extracts (Calotropis procera, Annona squamosa, and Datura stramonium). All three preparations were effective against canine mange within ten days. By day 30, 87.5% of dogs from the first group were completely recovered, 50% from the second, and 100% from the third!
Another study (conducted on sheep) compared the effectiveness of neem ointment to ivermectin, the antiparasitic drug that’s used for heartworm prevention and often prescribed for mange. Ivermectin cured the skin disease in 16 days, and the neem ointment did it in 20 days — showing that the plant’s efficacy rivals that of conventional medication but comes without the risks, as neem is NOT toxic to pets!
That said, neem oil (though not an essential oil) can be irritating in its pure, undiluted form, so it’s important to always dilute it with a carrier oil or shampoo. Per PetMD, the recommended dilution is 1:10 — one part neem oil to ten parts carrier oil. Alternatively, “Pet parents can make their own topical products by adding 25mL of oil to 400mL shampoo, or adding 1 cup of neem leaf to 1 liter of water, bring to a low simmer for five minutes, and use as a topical spray daily.”
2 — Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a very wide range of benefits for dogs, whether it’s used topically or supplemented to the pup’s diet. It’s antiviral, antibacterial, AND antifungal. It has great moisturizing properties and a healing effect on the skin. It’s also been studied directly in relation to canine mange — for example, one study compared how different concentrations of virgin coconut oil work against mange when mixed with shampoo. The tested concentrations were 50%, 60%, and 70%.
All of them were able to eliminate the sarcoptic mange within six weeks, but only the highest concentration eliminated the tricky demodectic mange. Not only does coconut oil eliminate the mites, but it also helps with healing the irritated, dry, and inflamed skin. It could even be used as a prevention method if your dog has a genetic predisposition for demodex or is fighting a primary disease that’s affecting his immune system.
It can’t be overstated that coconut oil is VERY safe to use and impossible to topically overdose. It’s completely safe if ingested by your pet and doesn’t need to be diluted before it’s applied to the skin. That said, you might still want to mix it with shampoo for easier application.
3 — Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great tool to use for healing your dog, but they can be overdosed topically, and some are toxic when ingested, so I always advise caution and encourage pet owners to consult an experienced holistic veterinarian if they’re completely new to the practice. You can start with our Essential Oils for Dogs article, which covers therapeutic uses and safe practices. That said, these magical plant oils have a trove of medicinal benefits and a ton of research backing them.
In the case of mange, many essential oils have been looked into, but four of them have repeatedly been selected as the most effective in scientific literature: tea tree, palmarosa, clove, and geranium. Palmarosa and geranium are generally safe for dogs when applied topically. Start with a 0.5% dilution, which equals one drop of essential oil per 10mL of carrier oil (use coconut oil for mange). It’s very important that you don’t let the dog lick the essential oils, so we recommend using a cone.
Tea tree and clove essential oils, while effective for mange, are both toxic to dogs in all forms of use, including topically. Some experienced holistic vets have used small quantities of tea tree oil for canine mange in the past with very good results. You’ll even find shampoos on the market with tea tree oil among the ingredients. Per Pet Poison Helpline, “Products containing tea tree oil concentrations less than 1-2% are generally considered non-toxic if used according to labeled directions.” It’s completely up to you if you choose to go down this route, but make sure you trust the practitioners and that the shampoos have been tested for safety. In our opinion, there are many other safer options (as listed above) that we would try first before reaching for tea tree.
Key Takeaways About Mange in Dogs
Regardless of which form of mange your dog is battling, sarcoptic or demodectic, a big part of the treatment should focus on the immune system. As such, the recovery process cannot happen overnight — you’ll need to stick with the treatment and support for several weeks. Even once the symptoms disappear, the immune support should continue, especially in the case of demodectic mange!
Because this skin condition is so stressful for both the pet and the owner, it can certainly make you reach for drugs that promise a quick fix, but by using those drugs, you’re risking a condition far worse than mange. Thankfully, natural options are easily available and well-researched. Not only do they not come with the risks, but they also carry other health benefits, making it a win-win choice.
Sources
Grzyb, Katie. J. Morrison, J. Barri. “Mange in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment.” PetMD, 27/09/2024.
Dryden, W. Michael. “Mite Infestation (Mange, Acariasis, Scabies) in Dogs.” MSD Manual, 09/2024.
Hamilton, Alison. “Benzoyl Peroxide: Topical.” VCA.
Edney, Anna. “Popular Acne-Treatment Products Found to Contain High Levels of Carcinogenic Chemical.” Time, 07/03/2024.
Makwana,
Tabassam, Shahid Maqsood. Iqbal, Zafar. Et. al. “Efficacy of crude neem seed kernel extracts against natural infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei var. Ovis.” Science Direct, 17/01/2008.
“Neem Oil for Pets: Is It Safe?” PetMD, 06/02/2018.
Viste, B. Gregory. Silvestre, C. Rosenio. Et. al. “EFFICACY OF VIRGIN COCONUT (Cocos nucifera ) OILSOAP AGAINST MANGE IN DOGS.” International Scientific Research Journal, 2013.
Elliott, Brianna. Arnarson, Atli. “Is Coconut Oil Good or Bad for Dogs? The Surprising Truth.” Healthline, 06/02/2020.
Fang, Fang. Candy, Kerdalidec. Et. at. “In vitro activity of ten essential oils against Sarcoptes scabiei.” PubMed, 11/2016.
Luna’s passion for learning about canine psychology and behavior began when she adopted a severely reactive puppy from a local shelter. She is now a big advocate for positive reinforcement and compassionate training. As a writer, she strives to spotlight the topics that fly under the radar and be the voice for all who cannot speak for themselves.
