Chiggers: how to protect your dog and cat?

Chien et chat inspectés après une sortie dans les herbes pour prévenir les aoûtats
Parasites & prevention

Harvest mites are tiny mites that dogs and cats can encounter when in contact with vegetation. Their orange larvae attach to the skin and can cause particularly intense itching.

They are primarily active between summer and early autumn. A simple walk in the grass, an exploration of the garden, or a moment spent in the bushes can be enough to expose your companion.

1. Understand where harvest mites are found

Harvest mites live outdoors. Their larvae climb on plants and wait for an animal to pass by to attach themselves to its skin. They can be found in gardens, grass, embankments, forest edges, and some bushy areas.

Their activity is generally higher when the weather remains sufficiently warm and sunny. In France, the most favorable period often extends from July to October.

There is no direct transmission from dog to cat or from one animal to another. Contamination primarily occurs when multiple animals frequent the same outdoor area.

Harvest mites are tiny and not always immediately visible. Your companion's behavior and the location of the itching are often the first clues.

2. Spotting the signs in dogs and cats

The most frequent sign is sometimes very intense itching. Your animal may lick or chew its paws, scratch its ears, or focus on a specific area of its body.

When several larvae are grouped together, they can form tiny yellow or orange clusters on the skin's surface. However, they can be difficult to distinguish, especially when few in number or covered by scabs.

Even after their disappearance, irritation can persist. Repeated scratching can also damage the skin and promote allergic or infectious complications.

Areas to check
Between the toes and around the paw pads
In the folds of the legs
On the face and around the muzzle
On the ear flaps and in the ear folds
On the belly and sparsely haired areas
On any area that is licked or chewed insistently
Animalyo Tip

After a walk in the grass or bushes, prioritize checking the paws, ears, face, and belly. An orange cluster or sudden itching should catch your attention.

Good habits

3. Limiting risks during harvest mite season

It is difficult to completely eliminate harvest mites from an outdoor environment. However, a few precautions can help reduce exposure and quickly identify an infestation.

Avoid, as much as possible, areas already known to be infested
Inspect sensitive areas after walks
Maintain tall grass and garden edges
Monitor for any sudden changes in your animal's behavior
Seek advice before using a preventative parasite treatment
Adapt prevention to the animal's species, age, and lifestyle

If your animal starts scratching after an outing, avoid using improvised remedies. Harvest mites can be confused with other parasites or dermatological problems.

4. What to do if you suspect an infestation

Calmly examine the affected area without scratching, rubbing, or attempting to remove the small clusters with your fingernails. If possible, take a clear photo of the skin to monitor its evolution or show it to the vet.

Do not apply antiparasitics, essential oils, disinfectants, or products intended for another species without professional advice. A product suitable for dogs can be dangerous for cats.

  1. Prevent excessive licking or scratching as much as possible.
  2. Check other sensitive areas of the body.
  3. Note the date and location of the last outing.
  4. Contact a veterinarian to confirm the cause of the lesions.
Animalyo Tip

Not all antiparasitics are equally effective against harvest mites. The veterinarian can choose the appropriate product, form, and frequency of use for your dog or cat.

When should you consult a vet?

A consultation is recommended when the itching is severe, the lesions are spreading, or your animal seems particularly uncomfortable.

Intense scratching Continuous licking Very red skin Numerous scabs Wounds Hair loss Pain Discharge

The veterinarian can verify that it is indeed harvest mites, eliminate the parasites, and manage any allergic reaction or secondary infection.

Do not delay consultation if your companion injures themselves by scratching, can no longer rest, or has painful and severely irritated skin.

Key takeaways

Harvest mites are mite larvae found in vegetation.
They often attach between the toes, on the ears, face, or belly.
Small orange spots and severe itching should raise a red flag.
Diagnosis and treatment choice should be entrusted to a veterinarian.

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