Chiggers, also called harvest mites, are the larval stage of tiny mites in the family Trombiculidae. The adults live freely outdoors and lay their eggs in damp, rotting plant material. Only the six-legged larvae feed on animals, and trombiculosis is the name for that infestation [1][3].
The larvae can feed on many land animals, people included [1]. Your dog or cat picks them up from the ground outdoors, where the larvae hatch [1].
See your vet if your pet is very itchy or has red, crusted or hairless skin. Other skin problems, such as allergies, can look the same.
For other causes of itching in dogs, see why is my dog so itchy. For other mites in cats, see mange in cats.
How pets pick them up
The larvae hatch in moist, decaying vegetation, and pets that walk or lie in woods and fields come into contact with them [1].
- Season: infestations are most common in late summer and fall [1]. In one study of cats in Italy, most cases were found in autumn, but some turned up in every season [2].
- Outdoor pets: dogs and cats that spend time in wooded areas and fields are the ones usually affected [1].
What chiggers look like
The larvae are dark or bright orange and can often be seen without a microscope [1]. Owners of affected cats often notice small orange specks on the skin [2].
They tend to settle on skin that touches the ground: the belly, legs and paws, the head (including around the eyes and mouth) and the base of the ears [1]. In cats, the ear was the area most often affected [2]. Ear edges, the face, the skin between the toes and the belly are also common spots [3].
Signs
Chiggers usually cause itchy small bumps and crusts on the skin [1]. Redness, scratches, raw patches and hair loss can also appear [3].
The itch varies a lot from pet to pet. It can be intense [1], but in the cat study more than half of the cats showed no itching at all, and some infestations were only found by chance at a routine visit [2]. A less common chigger species has also been linked to swollen paws and cracked claws [1].
How vets diagnose it
Your vet will ask where your pet has been and look closely at the skin. The orange larvae can often be spotted directly. Your vet may also take a skin scraping and look at it under a microscope, and a skin biopsy is sometimes used when the signs are unusual [1]. Your vet will also want to rule out other itchy skin problems.
Treatment
Your vet chooses the treatment. Chiggers are usually treated with an anti-parasite product, and your vet may also give something for a short time to calm the itch [1].
At home, as directed by a vet:
- use only the treatments your vet prescribes for your pet;
- tell your vet about any scratch wounds or sores from itching;
- tell your vet if the itching or skin signs come back.
Prevention
Pets are likely to pick up chiggers again unless they are kept out of the places where the mites live. If that is not possible, your vet may advise keeping up parasite control until the chigger season is over [1].
Outlook
Treatment usually works well [1]. The main problem is coming back into contact with the mites, so new infestations are common in pets that return to the same fields and woods [1].
These are statements about groups of animals. They cannot predict how one pet will do. Your vet can explain what this means for your pet.
When to see your vet
See your vet if your dog or cat has:
- tiny orange specks on the belly, paws, head or ears [1][2];
- redness, bumps, hair loss or crusts [1][3];
- strong itching [1];
- scratch wounds or sores from itching.
FAQ
Can my other pets catch chiggers from my dog or cat?
Chiggers come from the outdoor environment, where the adult mites live in damp, rotting plants [1]. Pets that go to the same places can pick them up there. Ask your vet if you are worried about your other pets.
Are the orange specks the chiggers themselves?
Yes. The larvae are orange and often visible to the naked eye [1][2].
My cat has orange specks but does not scratch. Can it still be chiggers?
Yes. Many cats with chiggers show no itching [2]. See your vet to confirm what the specks are.
The bottom line
Chiggers are mite larvae that dogs and cats pick up outdoors, mostly in late summer and fall. They show up as tiny orange specks, often on the ears, head, paws and belly, and can cause bumps, crusts, redness, hair loss and itching, though some cats show no itch at all. Your vet confirms the cause and chooses the treatment, and keeping pets away from the places where the mites live is the best way to stop them coming back.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your pet is very itchy or has red, crusted skin, see your vet.
Sources
- Torres SMF. 3.8 Trombiculosis, Small Animals. Small and Large Animal Dermatology Handbook, Vol. 1. University of Minnesota, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). https://open.lib.umn.edu/animaldermatology/chapter/trombiculosis-small-animals/
- Leone F, Di Bella A, Vercelli A, Cornegliani L. Feline trombiculosis: a retrospective study in 72 cats. Veterinary Dermatology, 2013. PubMed abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23829191/
- Ramilo DW, Monteiro C, Carreira M, et al. First report of Neotrombicula inopinata infestation in domestic cats from Portugal. Veterinary Parasitology, 2019. PubMed abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30878078/