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What are these large orange/red bugs covering my dog, not fleas?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boston Terrier | Male | neutered | 25 lbs

My sisters Boston terrier is infested with bugs twice as large as a flea and orange/ red in color, They do not hop, and my sister was able to pull them off. She said they covered her dog. They are not on her 2 cats at all. The dog uses a doggie door to go in the backyard for the bathroom. She lives in Maryland. She's lived there with her dog for 10 years and has never had this happen, what could they be?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 13, 2018

It is a pity you did not upload a photo of the bug so we could identify it. It was likely a type of mite. Frontline spray should kill it, or Bravecto.
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Giant-Red-Velvet-Mite

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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