Mange: What It Is And How To Treat It Naturally

Every pet owner knows how expensive it is to take your dog to the vet. Yet, at the same time, nobody wants their dog to suffer from a condition. In the case of mange, it can be quite an expensive trip to the vet when there are remedies that you can do at home to treat it.

Mange is as uncomfortable for your pet as it looks. Maybe even more so. The more they scratch at it the worse it gets, so there is little relief coming for them unless you take action. Now, you may end up needing to take your pup to the vet, but you can try some of these natural remedies first.

If they don’t end up working, then your dog has a serious case and should be looked at by a professional.

In this article, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can naturally treat your dog’s mange before it gets serious.

What is mange?

Mange is the animal version of scabies, which is a skin condition that is painful and uncomfortable. It causes the fur to fall out in clumps and the skin turns scaly. It is easy to spot especially when your dog starts scratching and gnawing at it.

It looks and acts a lot like psoriasis in humans where it is irritated, red and very crusty. The only difference is that it is likely much more painful than psoriasis.

It is caused by mites living under your dog’s skin. These mites actually thrive in the hair follicles of your dog and usually don’t cause any problems. This type of mite is a demodex and usually causes problems in a small, localized area. Demodex mange is uncomfortable, but not nearly as much as other types.

They can get a foothold if your dog is already sick with other ailments and has a weakened immune system. Usually, this type of mange is manageable and goes away quickly after treatment.

There is another type of mange caused by sarcoptic mites. This is a more serious version of mange that can spread all over the body. It is extremely uncomfortable and painful. When your dog has this type of mange, you likely will need to go directly to the vet for something powerful to treat it. Though the list below will give you some ideas on what to do in conjunction with the vet’s suggestions.

CBD treatments

One of the best natural treatments is new to the market. CBD, or cannabidiol, oil is made from the hemp plant. It is not a psychoactive drug like THC which is found in marijuana.

It is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic for dogs pain relief. When it is used in conjunction with other, traditional mange remedies, it can be a very potent treatment.

Since mange is uncomfortable due to its itchiness, the CBD will calm the skin so it feels less uncomfortable. Then it helps send signals to the brain to eradicate the pain in the area. It won’t kill the mites that are there, but it will give your pet loads of relief.

Using this before the mange gets too bad will definitely help soothe the dog and calm the breakout, but it may also help to get rid of it before it spreads too quickly and becomes a problem that will require a vet visit.

Apple cider vinegar

This vinegar has long been used in many home remedies for anything from making fur softer to treating dandruff in dogs. In this case, it makes a great ingredient to use directly on the affected area where there is mange.

If you combine it with CBD you have a formula in which the vinegar kills the mites and the CBD soothes the skin. If your dog’s case of mange is not the big of an area then this combination will likely do the trick.

You can even add some honey as it is a natural antibacterial and will help to disinfect the skin and soothe it at the same time. If the mixture is thick enough and the area to be treated is not that large, then the mites may suffocate. This will help to get rid of the primary problem and the vinegar will kill the eggs to prevent a future break out.

Essential oils

There are a number of essential oils that can be used that will kill the mites, increase circulation to speed up the healing process and also sterilize the affected area.

One of the best in this regard is tea tree oil. Now, it can feel quite harsh so make sure the skin is not broken where you apply it as it may feel like it is burning to your dog.

In fact, it should be diluted with a carrier oil that allows you to control how much tea tree oil is in the mix. You don’t need a lot for it to be effective. Coconut oil is a good carrier oil as it can also help to disinfect the area and works to moisturize the skin due to the hyaluronic acid.

When to go to the vet

If you are treating your dog with any of these remedies and the area with mange seems to be growing in size, then it is a good sign that these remedies are not working. When the mange is a particularly bad case, the mites will be reproducing faster than the treatment can keep up with.

Also, if your dog is biting at the skin or scratching to the point that the skin is bleeding or damaged, then these treatments will likely cause more pain so you shouldn’t even try. In this case bring your dog right to the vet as they will have the right treatment for him.

And if any of these natural treatments don’t help, then you should look into medicated shampoo for mange that can be quite effective.

John Howes
 

Pet lover & passionate blogger. I love to write about pet. I started this blog to provide advance materials for choosing the right products for your dog.

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