Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Written By Kevin Hughes
Published: 09/30/2015Updated: 01/22/2025
What is Sarcoptic Mange?
Scabies — or sarcoptic mange, to use its full term — might be typically associated with stray dogs but any dog can get it, the same way humans can. Sarcoptic mange in dogs is a contagious skin disease that can spread from canine to canine, through direct contact but also from contaminated shared bedding.

Scabies in dogs can result in intense itching for your pet and develop into a painful condition that, if left untreated, can become quite serious. But, if you know what to look out for, you can get your pup treated as soon as possible to prevent that painful itching from becoming more severe.

So, in this guide to sarcoptic mange in dogs, you’ll discover:
  • What scabies in dogs is 
  • What causes the condition – how do dogs get scabies?
  • The symptoms of scabies in dogs  
  • Scabies treatment for dogs

What is sarcoptic mange or scabies in dogs?
What exactly is scabies in dogs? It’s a skin condition caused by small mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. Dogs living in any climate, anywhere in the world, can become infected with this contagious parasite.

The mite has a life cycle that is spent entirely on the dog and lasts no more than 21 days. The life cycle follows this process:

  • Adult females will burrow into the skin to make a tunnel, laying a few eggs per day for up to three weeks
  • Eggs hatch within five days
  • Larvae go through a molting cycle
  • Nymphs mature to adults
  • Adults mate on the skin, and the female burrows to lay eggs

Scabies in dogs causes intense itching (pruritus) which can result in hair loss and scabs. If it’s not treated, it can become severe, leading to thickening of the skin and weeping sores. 
As explained previously, scabies in dogs is officially known as sarcoptic mange – mange is the skin disease caused by mites. There are two types of mange in dogs but scabies is the most common and the most contagious. The other type is demodectic.

Scabies must be treated as soon as possible to stop it becoming more severe.  Compare the best pet insurance plans and make sure you’re covered should your dog start itching. 
What are the symptoms of scabies in dogs?
Because of the nature of the condition, the symptoms of scabies in dogs are usually easy to identify. With dogs, scabies symptoms tend to start with sudden and intense itching. This is related to sensitivity to the fecal matter and saliva of the mites.

The mites prefer the skin where there is no hair so the first place you may notice them is in their ears. It could be that your dog’s ear has scabies, but ear mites in dogs are also common, so if you notice them itching just their ear it’s not necessarily scabies. Check other hairless areas, such as their tummy and armpits, as well as checking the rest of their body.

But, what do scabies look like on a dog? Well, you might not be able to see the mites themselves – they are miniscule in size and burrow beneath the skin to remain hidden, too. So, there are other symptoms to look out for too, including: 
  • Red skin or a rash on dogs
  • Inflammation of skin
  • Hair loss (alopecia) which may be first noticed on the legs and stomach
  • Self-mutilation
  • Bleeding
  • Small bumps that will evolve into crusty sores
  • There may be an unpleasant odor due to the sores
  • The sores will mainly be found on the abdomen, legs, ears, chest, and elbows
  • Thickening of the skin due to damage
  • Secondary bacterial or yeast related sores can develop
  • If untreated, the scabies will spread to the entire body
  • Badly infected dogs may lose their appetite and begin to lose weight

If you notice any of these symptoms — particularly severe itching — then you need to take your dog to the vet straight away.
What causes scabies in dogs ?
So, how do dogs get scabies? It’s extremely contagious and easily transmitted through contact with infected dogs – but scabies can also be spread by wild foxes and coyotes, so if your canine is exposed to the same environment as these animals, there’s a chance of picking up the condition that way.

Although not as common, it could also be indirectly transmitted from the bedding of an infected dog. So, if you have more than one pet dog that shares the same sleeping area, this could be a risk. 
The mites can also be spread through grooming tools if used from one dog to another within a relatively short time. If you unknowingly brush an infected dog, before using the same brush to groom another dog, the mites could transfer across.

The reaction will also depend upon how many mites were transmitted but dogs in poor health will have a more intense reaction.

Can you get scabies from a dog?
As much as it sounds unpleasant, yes – humans can get scabies from a dog. However, dog mites can’t complete a life cycle on a human. While you will, unfortunately, experience intense itching this will only last for about five days before the mites die.

If you think you’ve got scabies from your dog, you should see your doctor who can prescribe something to help relieve the itching.

Can dogs get scabies from humans?
We know scabies is very contagious between dogs — and dogs can even get scabies from cats. So if we can get it from our dogs, can dogs get scabies from us?

The answer is yes — dogs can get scabies from humans. But, in the same way canine scabies can’t complete a life cycle on a human, human scabies can’t reproduce on a dog. This means it won’t affect them in the same way, it may just cause a small rash.
Diagnosis of scabies in dogs
When you take your dog to the vet with suspected scabies it’s imperative to tell the vet that this is what you think it is straight away. That way, they can isolate your dog from any others that are there, to prevent it from spreading. 

The vet may want to obtain a stool sample for testing, or perform blood work and a skin swab to perhaps rule out conditions like allergies or bacterial skin infection. Both the blood test and the fecal sample are important diagnostic tools for determining the cause of your dog’s itchy skin.

A deep skin scrape, and subsequent observation under the microscope is the method used that most often gives a definitive diagnosis. The scrape will be done deep enough to try and reach the mites.

Often the mites and eggs will be clearly visible. However, it can be entirely possible that the mites will not be seen, in which case the lesions that they produce could lead to a presumptive diagnosis.

When to worry about scabies in dogs
Early scabies on dogs — if seen by a vet and treated straight away — isn’t too much of a problem and therefore you don’t need to worry. However, if it’s left untreated then it can become more severe and there is a chance of secondary infections or complications.
How to treat scabies in dogs
Scabies treatment for dogs may start with the clipping of your pet, so you can really see the extent of the issue rather than potentially having the irritated skin partially hidden by hair. Then, a dog with mange will need to be washed with medicated shampoo. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have to apply an anti-mite product.

Mites can be difficult to remove, so you may need to repeat this, with several weekly applications being required.

It’s also possible they’ll need oral medication and injections. A combination of products will likely be required to combat the infection.

Unless the infection is severe and has caused threatening secondary complications that require your dog to be hospitalized, the treatment will be done at home. 

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Recovery of Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Recovery from scabies should be reasonably quick – but, if you don’t see any improvements in four to five days then you should contact your vet.

If your house has had a case of scabies, dogs need to be treated even if they don’t appear to have any symptoms yet as it’s very contagious. This includes other dogs that live in your home as well as any that have been regularly visiting recently.
Sarcoptic Mange Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Dogo Argentino
One Year

5 found this helpful

5 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Spots And Light Hair Loss
Will nexguard kill both types of mange?
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Nexgard is not licensed to treat either Sarcoptic or Demodectic mange. It may have some effect, and it may work, but it is not licensed for that use.
Oct. 9, 2020
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Maltipoo
Bonnie
12 Weeks

2 found this helpful

2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching And Dragging Rear
My maltipoo is 12 weeks old. She was just diagnosed with sarcoptic mange. She was given revolution and antibiotics. We are on day 3 of meds. Her stool has been fine however this morning she started dragging her rear end. Is this in relation to the mites? I'm hoping I don't have another issue going on. Also, when should I see her itching subside?
April 8, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Bonnie's behavior might be related to the mites, and itching, yes. When her itching stops depends on the severity of her infection, and sometimes the itching will get worse before it gets better, as the mites die. If she is terribly itchy, she may need something to help with that short term, which your veterinarian can get for her. If he itching is gradually improving and she stops dragging her bottom, you are on the right track.
April 8, 2018
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