More often than not, if you notice that there are red spots on your dog’s belly, then there is a chance that the dog is suffering from a Chigger infection. Now, what do you exactly mean by this? Or What are Chiggers? Essentially, Chiggers are indeed a fairly common parasite that thrives in many parts of the world. While there is no direct cause for a Chigger infection, it will cause extreme discomfort to your dog if it is left untreated. A common result of a Chigger infection is the severe itching on your dog. Of course, this will lead to further complications. The complication can arise after the scratching by your dog. When the dog scratches itself to soothe the itch, they are actually breaking the skin. And when this happens, more foreign parasites will be able to enter the body from the broken skin, which will cause further infection. Hence, it is important that we get rid of Chiggers on dogs whenever we can. Before we can learn more about how to get rid of Chiggers on dogs, we will need to understand more about the problem first.
What Causes Chiggers On Dogs
As mentioned earlier, there are no clear-cut causes of Chiggers on dogs. Perhaps the most obvious way that dogs can get Chiggers is when the mites migrate to the dog’s body when the dog is playing near its nest. The mites’ nest can be found near wooded areas as well as cool and shady areas. As such, Chigger infection will usually rise during the colder seasons of the year, when the conditions are just right for them to multiply.
What Are The Symptoms That My Dog Has Chiggers
The most common symptom is that your dog’s belly has lots of red spots. However, you should not be mistaken common rash for a Chigger infection. While both of them will generate the red spots, you will notice that the red spots caused by the Chigger infection will not cause the skin to be flaky. Also, if you wish to differentiate between a Chigger infection and a flea infestation, you just need to observe the spots itself. If you can see slight movements on the spots, then it will not be a Chigger infection. This is because you can hardly see the Chiggers simply by using your naked eye.
How To Get Rid Of Chiggers On Dogs
There are several ways at which you can get rid of Chiggers on dogs. However, if you read around, you will notice that there are some people who will recommend you to use items such as nail polish to help ‘kill’ the Chiggers. This is completely not true. This is because, unlike other bugs, the Chiggers do not burrow into the skin. What is simply does is to inject enzymes into the dog’s skin, hence causing the red bumps that are commonly seen in dogs with Chiggers. Remember, never ever use nail polish to treat triggers.
Epsom Salt
One of the best ways to get rid of Chiggers on dogs is to use Epsom salt and dish as one of the best home remedies available. It is one of the best ways to actually soothe the itch. Here are the steps needed for the entire process to work. Mix 1 cup of Epsom salt into warm water, and soak your dog into the water for about 45 minutes. Do ensure that the solution covers the chigger bites. It will eventually soothe your dog’s itch.
Oatmeal Baths
This is one of the best ways to soothe the itch. It is so effective, that it can be applied to humans too. All you need to do is to apply cooked Oatmeals onto the affected areas. Do ensure that the cooked oatmeal is cooled down before the application. The Oatmeal bath will help to soothe the skin and eradicate the Chigger infection. You should repeat this as many times as you want until the condition is gone.
Green Tea
Green tea is another useful medium for soothing your dog when it comes to a Chigger infection. It’s healing properties to well known to many vets too. To do this, brew the bags of green tea and mix it with cold water. Thereafter, you just need to pour it over the affected area on your dog. You can also bath the dog with green tea too.
Calamine Lotion
This is perhaps the best way to get rid of Chiggers in your dogs. We humans use this too! Just apply calamine lotion on the affected area, and see how the lotion works its magic in soothing the itch. This no-frills process is the easiest method too. Its anti-inflammatory properties makes it a top solution for helping your dog.
Preventing Chigger Infestations
Prevention is key when it comes to chiggers on dogs. One of the best ways to prevent chigger infestations is to avoid areas where chiggers are commonly found, such as tall grass and wooded areas. If you do take your dog for a walk in these areas, be sure to inspect their fur and paws for any signs of chiggers when you get home. It’s also a good idea to give your dog a bath with an anti-itch shampoo after these walks to help remove any chiggers that may have latched on.
Keeping your lawn well-maintained can also help prevent chigger infestations. Mowing the grass regularly and trimming back any overgrown bushes and shrubs can help make your yard less hospitable to chiggers. Additionally, you can use a chigger repellent spray on your lawn and in areas where your dog spends a lot of time to help keep chiggers at bay.
Conclusion
Chiggers can be a nuisance for both dogs and their owners, but there are several ways to get rid of them and prevent future infestations. By quickly identifying and treating chigger bites, and taking steps to prevent infestations, you can help keep your dog comfortable and itch-free.
