If your dog starts itching, scratching or moulting more than usual, you’re not alone. Skin problems are one of the most common reasons why owners contact our online vets. And parasites are often involved. Fleas, ticks and mites might be tiny, but their effects on your dog’s skin can be severe, uncomfortable and make your dog downright miserable.

The good news! With the right understanding and treatment, you can get on top of parasite problems quickly and keep your dog comfortable all year round.

Why skin problems and parasites go hand-in-paw

Parasites don’t just make dogs itchy. They cause direct damage to their skin. Fleas bite, mites burrow or crawl, and ticks attach to feed for days on end. Each of these activities triggers inflammation, irritation and sometimes allergic reactions.

Common signs of skin parasites:

• Lots of itching or scratching

• Red, inflamed or flaky skin

• Patchy hair loss or bald spots

• Increased moulting

• Sores or scabs due to self-trauma (licking, biting, scratching and chewing)

• Secondary skin infections 

• Allergic reactions, especially in dogs with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD): intense and severe itching with significant inflammation, rash, scabs and bald patches

Signs may be subtle at first, but sometimes the discomfort seems to explode overnight.

Read more on skin conditions in Joii’s vet-written guides, covering everything from skin allergies in dogs to flea allergy dermatitis and cheyletiellosis.

Fleas: small, fast and infuriating

Fleas are the most common cause of skin irritation in dogs. Unfortunately, they’re also experts at hiding.

Even a single flea bite can trigger a severe reaction in sensitive dogs, causing intense itching, hot spots, scabs and hair loss. Read about this condition, called flea allergy dermatitis. 

How fleas harm the skin

• Flea saliva contains proteins that cause allergic reactions.

• Scratching breaks the skin barrier, allowing bacteria inside.

• Heavy infestations can cause widespread hair loss and secondary infections.

How to treat and prevent fleas

Find fast, effective treatments in the Joii shop:

• Spot-on flea treatments: kill adult fleas and prevent them from breeding

  • Effipro for dogs

• Chewable flea tablets: fast-acting, ideal for dogs with sensitive skin

  • Frontpro for Dogs

• Seresto flea collar: a long-lasting option, kills fleas and lice, repels ticks for up to 8 months; great for travelling pets

  • Seresto for Dogs (under 8kg)

  • Seresto for Dogs (over 8kg)

• Household sprays: prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing into adult fleas, breaking the flea lifecycle and preventing constant reinfestation.

Ticks: tiny vampires, big issues

Ticks attach to the skin and feed for days, often causing redness and irritation around the bite. Ticks can also carry serious diseases, like Lyme disease, making prevention even more important.

Tick-related skin issues

• Red, irritated bite wounds

• Scabs and hair loss

• Risks of infection at the bite site

• Ongoing sores and irritation if tick mouthparts are left behind on removal

Tick treatments

Many products that kill fleas, are also effective against ticks!

• Combined flea & tick treatments

  • Effipro for dogs

  • Frontpro for Dogs

  • Seresto for Dogs (under 8kg)

  • Seresto for Dogs (over 8kg)

• Tick removal tools: To remove ticks safely and effectively, reducing the risk of infection

Mites: an itch with no obvious cause

Some mites aren’t visible to the naked eye. But their effects certainly are.

Surface mites:

Can cause

• Flaky or crusty skin 

• Raw patches from scratching

• Patchy or generalised hair loss

• Secondary skin infections

The usual suspects:

• Cheyletiella (“Walking Dandruff”): Cause intense flakiness, itchiness and irritation.

• Ear mites: Head shaking, ear scratching, redness and dark debris in the ears.

• Harvest mites (“berry bugs” or “chiggers”): Maddeningly itchy orange ‘dots’ between your dog’s toes, on their tummy and in skin folds.

Surface mite treatments:

• Spot-on-treatments or a pump spray containing fipronil: Helpful for harvest mites and to reduce cheyletiella numbers

  • Effipro for dogs

  • Frontline Spray

• Ear drops for ear mites: Clear wax, soothe irritation and help prevent infection. Speak to your vet for effective ear mite treatment.

Burrowing mites:

Mange mites can cause severe itching and/or patches of hair loss, usually needing prescription vet treatments. Call your vet as soon as possible if you're worried your dog might have mange. 

Lice: opportunist hangers-on

Tiny parasites that spread through close contact, target very young, old and sick dogs and cause itchiness, flaky skin and a dry, poor coat. Fortunately, common flea treatments soon sort them out!

Complications of scratching: skin infections and moulting

Parasites make your dog shed more hair (and kill your hoover) by triggering:

• Inflammation

• Scratching and rubbing

• Damage to hair follicles

If left untreated, the problem becomes a cycle - itch, scratch, shed, repeat… 

Scratching due to parasites gives bacteria and yeast access to the skin, causing:

• Hot spots

• Smelly skin

• Oozing and raw patches

• Red, painful skin

Treatment options depend on severity, but may include medicated shampoos, mousse or sprays. You can find safe, reliable options recommended by our vets in the Joii shop. These shampoos are gentle yet effective, helping to cleanse and support the skin’s natural balance while soothing irritation and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Severe cases often need prescription medication. Speak to a vet if you are unsure.

Choosing the right parasite treatment

• Dogs with skin allergies or FAD

  • A fast-acting oral flea tablet. Kills fleas quickly, without adding residue to inflamed or irritated skin.

• Dogs who won't take tablets

  • Spot-on products effectively control common parasites.

• Dogs walking in long grass, parks or fields

  • Choose a treatment that covers ticks, as well as fleas.

• Dogs with recurring mite problems

  • Talk to a vet. You may need prescription parasite treatments.

Using parasite treatments effectively

• Treat monthly (or as directed for collars and prescription preventives). Any gaps in treatment weaken protection.

• Treat every pet in the household. Make sure to choose species-appropriate products.

• Wash pet bedding on a hot cycle (40℃ minimum).

• Hoover regularly to remove flea eggs from carpets.

• Follow the printed instructions on products for safety and maximum effect.

• Use household sprays as well as pet treatments if fleas are present indoors (almost inevitable!)

When to seek vet advice

If you notice any new symptoms or a change in your dog’s condition, contact a Joii vet straight away for advice. The sooner problems are identified and treated, the sooner your dog will be comfortable again.