Mange is a common skin disease in dogs caused by skin mites that can result in redness, hair loss, and extreme itchiness, which can then cause sores and bacterial infections. If your dog has mange, you’re probably wondering what the best course of treatment will be so he can find relief.

A visit to your vet will be necessary first to confirm that mange is the cause of your dog’s symptoms. Mange mites will not go away by themselves; they must be effectively treated. You’ll need to focus on eradicating and controlling the mites causing the disease and then cleanse and heal your dog’s skin.

You can tackle mange treatment at home, but you’ll need to do so under the advice of your vet. Once you have the go-ahead and know which mite you are dealing with, you can look at beginning your home treatments. The products below focus on scabies mite mange and may not be suitable for other mange types. Successful treatment will hinge on ensuring the parasites have gone before stopping treatment and your vet will need to assess this by check-up examinations.

Keep reading to find our thorough reviews of the best mange treatments for dogs.

A Glance at Our Top Picks for 2024

The 8 Best Mange Treatments for Dogs

1. Selarid Mange Treatment for Dogs – Best Overall

Selarid is the best overall mange treatment for dogs that’s available over-the-counter. This monthly topical solution is designed to not only provide relief from scabies mange, but also treat fleas, heartworm disease, and more. This affordable solution can be used in puppies as young as 6 weeks.

This particular package comes in a convenient 6-month supply, so you won’t need to worry about buying more for another 6 months.

As with most of the topical solutions you’re going to read about today, you do need a note from your veterinarian before buying this product online. This is a safety precaution to ensure that the solution you are using is the most effective one for your dog’s size and health issues.

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2. Senergy Topical Solution for Cats & Dogs – Best Value

Over-the-counter medication can be very pricey, so if you’re looking for the best mange treatment for dogs for the money, Senergy has you covered.

This topical solution is convenient and simple to use. It not only can provide relief from mange, but it’s great for killing fleas and deterring eggs from hatching. You can even use it to treat ear mites and hookworm infections. This product is also labeled to control tick infestations. So, if you are looking for an affordable parasiticide that can be used in many different applications, this is it.

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3. Advantage Multi for Dogs – Premium Choice

Our premium pick for folks who aren’t necessarily on a budget comes from Advantage Multi. This topical solution comes in several different dose options based on your dog’s weight, so it’s important to make sure you’re buying the one that best suits your pup.

This solution is simple to use and can not only help with mange but can also fight against fleas and control intestinal parasites. The manufacturer also suggests that this medication might also prevent heartworm disease. To apply this solution, all you need to do is part the hair between your dog’s shoulder blades and apply the entire contents of the tube. This area will be difficult, if not impossible, for your dog to reach, which is what you want because he should not lick the application site.

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4. Revolution Topical Solution – Best for Puppies

Revolution is not unlike the previous options we’ve reviewed so far. This particular solution, however, is designed specifically for use in puppies under 5 pounds but at least 6 weeks of age. This medication is applied directly to your puppy’s skin and can be applied every 30 days to protect him from fleas and heartworm.

Unlike some of the other mange treatments on the market, Revolutions’ formula is non-greasy, which makes it easier to apply. This package is convenient as you only need to pay once, and you’ll receive a 3-month supply.

This solution is also effective at controlling ear mite infestations as well as ticks.

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5. Revolt Mange Treatment for Dogs

Revolt’s parasiticide is designed for use in pups that are 6 weeks or older and weigh in at 10 to 20 pounds. This formula is designed to prevent flea eggs from hatching while simultaneously killing adult fleas. The solution is also sometimes used to prevent heartworm disease and keep other parasites away from your pooch.

Revolt can also be used to treat ear mites, ticks, and, of course, mange. This particular item comes with six doses, so your pup will have 6 months’ worth of parasite protection.

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6. Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

Seresto is the only collar on our list and offers an amazing 8 months of parasite protection. For dogs and puppies above 7 weeks of age.  Available in 2 sizes for dogs above and below 18 pounds. Its combined active ingredients act to repel and kill ticks and fleas without biting being necessary.  It is also effective for chewing lice and scabies mites. An easy-to-use adjustable collar with a non-greasy and odorless formula.  This is a good option for people who find it hard to remember to re-apply treatments every month as it works continuously for 8 months. Although water resistant your dog should not be bathed or swim more than once a month to maintain effectiveness.

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7. Classic’s Lime Sulfur Dip

Classic’s Lime Sulfur Dip is an antimicrobial and antiparasitic formula designed for use for mange, ringworm, and mites and is safe for both dogs and cats. The cleanser goes to work fast to provide itch relief for your pup and is made with natural ingredients. The main ingredient in the formula is sulfurated lime which has been used for decades to fight various infections.

The treatment is simple to use. All you need to do is dilute the solution in water and then sponge it onto your pet. Since the formula is concentrated, a little goes a long way.

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8. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Shampoo

This treatment from Veterinary Formula Clinical Care is a medicated shampoo designed to treat a wide variety of skin conditions. It’s made with coal tar, salicylic acid, and sulfur to relieve scaly skin caused by parasitic infections. The formula is pH balanced so it won’t cause any further irritation to your dog’s already sensitive skin.

The shampoo gets to work fast to relieve your dog of the unfortunate side effects of mange. It’s easy to use and is applied just like regular shampoo. Once you’ve worked it into a lather, leave it on for 10–15 minutes, and then rinse well.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Mange Treatment

There are some things you should know before you start shopping for mange treatment. Keep reading to learn everything about mange so you can make a better and more informed buying decision.

What Exactly Is Mange, Anyway?

Mange is the common name for a skin disease caused by mites that affect animals. Mange can cause intense itching which can lead to open sores, hair loss, and scabbing.

Two main types of mange can affect dogs—sarcoptic and demodectic.

Sarcoptic mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which, as you might be able to infer from its name, is the same mite that causes scabies in humans. These mites will burrow underneath the skin’s surface and lay eggs. These eggs will begin hatching into larvae in 3 to 10 days and will continue living in the skin as they mature into adult mites and begin reproducing themselves. Adult mites will live up to 4 weeks.

Dogs with sarcoptic mange will be incredibly itchy and may not be able to stop scratching. This incessant scratching can lead to excessive chewing, scratching and hair loss.

Sarcoptic mange is treatable, but it is highly contagious and easily transmissible to other pets and even humans. Dogs with this type of mange will need to be quarantined, and you’ll need to decontaminate your home to kill the mites.

The second type is demodectic mange, but it’s also sometimes known as red mange. This type is caused by Demodex mites in your pup’s skin and hair follicles. Most dogs, and even humans, have these mites in small numbers. In most cases, mange won’t develop as your dog’s healthy immune system will keep the parasites at bay. When demodectic mange does occur, it’s because your dog’s immune system was no longer able to fight off the infestation.

Demodectic mange is either localized, generalized, or results in demodectic pododermatitis. Localized is when bald patches form on your dog’s face, and it is most often seen in puppies. Generalized is when the disease affects other parts of your dog’s body. Demodectic pododermatitis is when the condition only affects the paws.

Demodectic mange is not contagious to other animals or humans.

What Are the Early Signs of Mange?

There are several early signs of mange to keep your eye out for. These include:

These signs apply to both types of mange, although with the demodectic type, the signs may be more localized to smaller patches.

When demodectic mange becomes widespread (generalized), you may start to notice the following signs:

What Are Some Potential Complications of Mange?

If mange is not treated promptly and correctly, your dog may develop complications from the disease.

Bacterial and fungal infections are the two most concerning complications. When your dog has mange, he will become unbearably itchy. This itchiness will lead to scratching, which will irritate your pup’s skin and make infections possible. Your dog might need a round of antibiotics or antifungal meds to get rid of these infections.

There is also a possibility of your dog passing sarcoptic mange mites onto you. This can cause you to suffer from the same symptoms as your dog. Your doctor can prescribe medication to get rid of the bugs on your skin, but it’s better to avoid having the disease passed to you in the first place.

Dogs with demodectic mange may have other underlying health problems suppressing their immune systems.

How Can I Prevent Mange?

Once you have a handle on your dog’s mange, you are probably wondering what you can do to ensure he won’t get it again. There are a few ways you can lessen your pup’s risk.

First, maintaining his overall health will not only keep him healthy but boost his immune system, too. If your dog has a strong immune system, his body will be better equipped to fight off infections.

Use regular anti-parasite treatments recommended by your vets.

Next, do your best to keep your dog away from other dogs that have sarcoptic mange. Remember, this is the highly contagious type. You will need to treat all dogs in the household and bedding etc.

Keep a close eye on your dog if you notice him itching his body. Is there a certain spot that he’s scratching more often than other areas? While this won’t necessarily prevent mange, it helps to know when he started scratching and where he does it the most when you take him to the vet.

Can I Use Homemade Mange Treatments?

You should not use a DIY mange treatment if your dog has clinical signs of mange. They are not likely to be effective and will delay your dog getting the relief and treatment that they need. Not all mites can be treated with the medicines above and so it is important that a diagnosis is made before starting treatments. The above treatments are suitable for Sarcoptic mange. It is also important to follow directions on the frequency and duration of treatment needed to get rid of mange mites.

Conclusion

For the best overall over-the-counter sarcoptic mange treatment for dogs, Selarid’s topical solution is our choice for its effectiveness and versatility. Senergy’s solution provides the best value of any mange treatment on our list, and its formula for puppies is effective and affordable.

Mange is a horrible disease to watch your dog suffer through, but with the right treatment and some patience, you can give your pup the relief he so desires. We hope our reviews have made choosing the best mange treatment for your dog a little easier for you, but your first port of call should be your vet.

See also: What Are Scabies in Dogs? Signs, Causes & Treatment (Vet Answer)

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Featured Image Credit: schubbel, Shutterstock