Actually, your pet cannot catch scabies. Scabies are skin mites only able to reproduce in humans. Pets however can have their own mites. These are called mange mites.

Scabies Facts

Scabies is a highly contagious infection of the skin which is caused by minisacule mites. The Scabies Mite causes the condition by eating into the skin to lay eggs. The mite is all but invisible to the human eye and it is a generally common occurrence to be infected with scabies. A female scabies mite tunnels to lay, and only into the very top layer of the skin. She eats the skin as she goes and stays in the burrow for her lifetime. Once living in the burrow the scabies mite might start laying almost straight away and will do so more than once every day and over a period of up to two months. The scabies eggs are born in a matter of days, and climb out from the burrow to exist on the hair follicle. In as little as four days the scabies mite reaches laying age and looks for a mate, following which the female will start the process again, burrowing into the skin to lay her eggs. The Scabies patient could notice small bites or pimples initially and it is worth being aware that the mites breed in warm and moist areas. Scabies will most likely be seen in the armpits or on the chest, or the genital area, the fingers, and anywhere where jewellery presents a warm and safe place. Areas where there are creases in the skin are often infected with the scabies mite and are usual spots for the mites to be found. Sufferers with Scabies will notice itching - often very intense and most likely at night - and the appearance of a red rash, and will be inclined to scratch the area affected. In youngsters it is common for the scabies mite to live on the soles of the feet and the palms, in addition to on the scalp, while in babies it is usually the neck and head that are most often affected. Itching and irritation comes about as a result of an allergic reaction that the body has to the presence of the scabies mites, and is usually very profound indeed. As the scabies infection grows the sufferer will experience hardening of the skin, with crusty and scaly areas appearing in time. In those with sensitive skin, or those with severe scabies infection nodular scabies can be the result. Nodular Scabies is a condition which comes about when debris left behind by the mite is left under the skin. As scabies can become complicated and painful if left untreated it is essential that the right treatment is applied for the specified time. The elderly and others with weak immune systems are particularly likely to suffer from severe cases of scabies, and should be concerned as a result. Like a number of similar complaints scabies is particularly contagious and it does not necessarily take one to come into direct contact with a case to become infected. Lying in a bed or sitting in a chair that has been inhabited by a sufferer can cause scabies infection, as can close contact with the individual. Scabies is sometimes found in nursing homes where the aged reside, and in those who work in the medical profession and come into contact with cases.

Comments:

Keisha said, “That’s good to know. I was worried my cat would catch scabies and I’d have a huge vet bill to pay.” 

Dan H. says, “There are a lot of people out there that are under the misconception that you can get scabies from animals. I guess they are mistaking it with mange. It seems similar because they are both mites that bore under the skin and lay eggs. Same symptoms irritated skin and terrible itching. Not sure if you would use the same meds.” 

Haley B. writes, “It’s like dogs don’t have lice but people do. They don’t get scabies either. It’s a human thing. Humans can‘t get mange from dogs either.” 

Eve P. said, “Dog scabies is actually mange, and those mites cannot live off of a human host. So they would die with out completing their life cycle. It’s the same with human scabies. They cannot live off of an animal host.” 
 
Patricia C. said, “I’ve heard of dog scabies, but didn’t realize it wasn’t the same thing as scabies that humans get. I guess because they are both referred to as scabies. I’m probably not the only one to make that mistake.”