Mange is a skin disease that is caused by mites on the skin of your dog. It is also known to impact other animals like cats, fox, coyotes etc.
As this disease spreads easily from one dog to another, it is important to know how to manage mange (quite the tongue twister, that one!). Fortunately, there are easy home remedies that will help you take care of mange in your dog.
In this article, we will look at how to know if your dog has mange and if he (or she) does, what to do about it.
There are two main types of mange in canines: sarcoptic and demodectic mange. The former is the most common type of mange in dogs, and it develops due to canine scabies. Demodectic mange, on the other hand, happens when a dog’s immune system cannot regulate the mites.
If your dog is suffering from mange, you do not need to rush to the vet immediately. There are a number of effective home remedies that you can pursue for mange in dogs that we will talk about.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Mange?
Before we discuss home remedies for mange, it is imperative for you to know if your dog has mange or not.
These are some of the clearest signs of mange that you can spot in your dog.
- The most evident sign of mange is if your dog is scratching and itching a lot.
- Mange also leads to patchy, red skin accompanied with the loss of fur. Mange causes a dog’s skin to be irritated and crusty. You’d spot these symptoms in areas with lesser hair like your dog’s chest, belly, groin, ears, or armpits.
- In extreme cases, mange can cause open sores in dogs.
- Some dogs can have wounds and other infections because of the near-constant itching and scratching.
- You should also check to see whether your dog has swollen or inflamed feet, as dogs often get demodectic pododermatitis when suffering from mange.
How Can You Treat Mange At Home?
Now that you are aware of what mange is and the common symptoms associated with it, let’s take a look at some of the best and most simple home remedies for this condition…
Use olive oil for mange
Olive oil may be great for cooking, but it is also amazing in terms of treating mange. This is because it is powerful yet gentle at the same time. When it is applied to your dog’s skin, it will not only suffocate any adult mange that is present, but also the larvae and the eggs.
Not only this, but if the mange has caused any waxy build up or inflammation, olive oil can help to relieve this. You will need between one and three tablespoons depending on how big the impact area is. Apply the olive oil and then leave it for around 15 minutes before you wipe it away. Do this twice per day until the mange disappears.
Apply yogurt to your dog’s skin
Unflavoured and organic yogurt is one home product that can be used to treat mange. Yogurt is beneficial because it contains lots of healthy bacteria (specifically the acidophilus bacteria) that has the properties to fight against the irritation and discharge your dog is experiencing because of mange.
You should apply around one tablespoon of the yogurt to any area that has been impacted by the mange and appears red and sore. Leave the yogurt on the skin for 15 minutes before you wipe it away. Of course, make sure your dog does not lick it off first!
Apply honey to the impacted area
Not only will honey help to fight the mange, but it will also soothe your dog’s skin at the same time. Honey works by immediately suffocating any mange and larvae that is present on your pup’s skin.
The only trouble is that your dog may try to lick the honey off, and then it will be ineffective. So make sure you keep an eye on your pet after you have applied the honey.
If you can, choose organic, raw honey, and make sure you leave it on the skin for 15 minutes before you wipe it off. You should do this twice every day until the mange is cleared up.
Use apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another home product that can be used to treat mange, as well as a number of other ailments. Again, like honey, organic apple cider vinegar is preferable.
You should add a couple of tablespoons of this to your dog’s typical meal. You only need to do this once per day. Repeat this per day until the mange has gone away. This will enable your dog to fight this condition from the inside out.
Apply a mixture of garlic and lemon for mange
This may seem like a weird combo, but it can be an effective one. Garlic and lemon will promote healthy skin while getting rid of mange, as well as their eggs and the larvae. You will need a spray bottle for applying the mixture.
This is how you can go about using garlic and lemon for mange:
- Mix between six and ten cloves of garlic in a bowl filled with half a cup of water and one lemon’s worth of lemon peels.
- Allow the mixture to steep overnight.
- The next day, pour the mixture into the spray bottle and apply it directly to the affected area.
- Repeat this twice every day until the mange has gone.
Use Aloe Vera
You can use Aloe Vera either in bottled or plant form to treat mange. Simply apply it to the affected areas and gently rub it into your dog’s skin. You should repeat the process twice each day until the mange has fully healed.
Aloe Vera is a good option because it is a natural antiseptic while also containing a large number of anti-parasitic compounds. This means that while providing treatment it also soothes your dog’s skin.
Home remedies for mange parting thoughts
All in all, mange can be a very irritating and painful condition, and if you suspect your dog has it, you should take action to treat it as soon as possible. You can use one of the home remedies that have been discussed above.
However, if you do not feel that there is an improvement, you take your fur baby to a vet and they will be able to assist you. Either way, make sure you act quickly, as there is nothing worse for any pet than having irritable and sore skin.
