Is dermatitis in dogs contagious?

When we find dermatitis symptoms such as red spots, hair loss, and even skin ulcers on dogs, our inner worries and anxiety spread instantly. In addition to feeling sorry for the dog suffering from illness, we can't help but worry: Is dog dermatitis contagious? This issue is not only related to the health of the dog itself, but also affects the safety of other pets and family members at home.

Dog dermatitis is a common skin disease with complex and diverse causes, and dermatitis caused by different causes has very different infectiousness. Dermatitis caused by infectious factors has different manifestations in terms of infectiousness. Bacterial infection is one of the common causes of dog dermatitis, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus and other bacteria invading the dog's skin. When the dog's skin is damaged, such as being scratched by sharp objects or wounds caused by fighting with other animals, these bacteria will take advantage of the opportunity to enter, triggering an inflammatory response, and symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pustules will appear. Under normal circumstances, the skin of a healthy dog ​​has a certain barrier function, and dogs that normally come into contact with infected bacteria are not easily infected. However, if the skin of a healthy dog ​​is damaged or its resistance is weak, it is possible to be infected by contact with the skin, secretions or contaminated items of a sick dog. Just as humans are more susceptible to bacterial invasion when their skin is injured, the risk of this infection between dogs cannot be ignored. ​

Dermatitis caused by fungal infection, such as ringworm caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum, is highly contagious. This type of fungus can survive in the environment for a long time and spread through direct contact with the skin and hair of infected dogs, or contact with combs, mats, carpets and other items contaminated by fungi. When a dog in the family suffers from fungal dermatitis, other dogs are in close contact with it, such as licking each other and sharing items, and they are very likely to be infected. Moreover, fungi can not only spread between dogs, but also to humans, especially children, the elderly and other people with weak resistance, causing diseases such as tinea corporis and tinea manuum. Imagine that the furry children at home are itchy and scratching because of fungal dermatitis, and family members may also be infected because of contact, which makes us as owners anxious and eager to find a solution.​

Mite infection is also a common cause of dog dermatitis, including scabies and demodex. Scabies is highly contagious. It parasitizes on the surface of dog skin, digs tunnels, and causes severe itching and inflammation. Scabies can be spread through direct contact with sick dogs or contact with items contaminated by scabies. In places where dogs are densely populated, such as kennels and pet beauty salons, if there is a dog infected with scabies, it is easy for other dogs to be infected one after another. Demodex usually exists in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs. Under normal circumstances, a small amount of Demodex is in balance with the dog's body, but when the dog's immunity decreases, Demodex multiplies in large numbers and causes dermatitis. Demodex is relatively less contagious and generally does not spread between healthy dogs. It is more related to the dog's own immune status. ​

In addition to infectious factors, dermatitis caused by non-infectious factors such as allergies and trauma is usually not contagious. Dogs may be allergic to food, pollen, dust mites and other substances, causing allergic dermatitis, and symptoms such as skin erythema and itching. This dermatitis caused by allergies is an overreaction of the dog's own immune system to specific allergens and will not be transmitted to other animals or humans. Similarly, skin inflammation caused by trauma, such as burns, scalds, collisions, etc., will not be contagious as long as there is no secondary infection. ​

When we find that a dog has dermatitis, whether it is contagious or not, we should take timely measures. For contagious dermatitis, the sick dog should be isolated immediately to avoid contact with other pets to prevent the spread of the disease. At the same time, the living environment of the sick dog should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and pet-specific disinfectants should be used to disinfect dog beds, toys, combs and other items to kill pathogens. When caring for sick dogs, the owner should take protective measures, such as wearing gloves, avoiding direct contact with the skin and secretions of the sick dog, and washing hands in time after contact. For non-contagious dermatitis, although there is no need to worry about the spread of the problem, it also requires careful care and treatment according to the veterinarian's advice to help the dog recover as soon as possible. ​

Dogs are loyal partners in our lives, and they accompany us with unconditional love. When they suffer from dermatitis, we need to rely on our professional knowledge to accurately determine whether the dermatitis is contagious and take the right countermeasures. Every careful care and every protective action are our deep love for dogs.