Red bugs on dogs can be difficult to diagnose without a thorough inspection, unless the owner is familiar with common pests and what they look like. If a dog owner suspects that red insects have infested a dog, it may be explained by one of the following:
Mites
There are a variety of mites that are bright red in color. Mites are extremely small, typically about a millimeter in length. Dog owners may be unable to see the appendages and heads of mites with the naked eye. Mites make up a large number of the red bugs found on dogs. The conditions referred to as ear mites, mange, scabies and cheyletiella are actually infestations of these parasites. Mites are naturally bright red but may become darker once they've attached to a host. Some even burrow under the skin of the dog. Mites typically cause redness, swelling and itching in the affected skin. They may be removed via medication or mite baths, although these treatments are typically available only through a vet.
Maggots
Maggots may also appear to be a reddish-brownish color, although the red can be due to bleeding from the dog. Maggots are most often seen in stray dogs or dogs that have been neglected. Maggots tend to infest open and infected wounds and can complicate their healing. They may even lay eggs in the wounds. Maggots must be removed by surgical means, because they may have burrowed deep into the tissue and the wound must be properly disinfected and sealed.
Fleas and Flea Waste
Red bugs on dogs may actually indicate the presence of fleas. Fleas themselves are not bright red, but they may leave behind red excrement, because they subsist on blood. The blood may color their waste and give it the appearance of being insect-like. However, on closer inspection these "red insects" do not move. The fleas themselves can actually be a reddish-brownish as well, although most are dark brown to black.
Ticks
Ticks tend to be darker (typically black or brown) but may appear reddish if they're of a reddish brown variety. Ticks may also grow a reddish backside when they've become engorged on blood. Ticks are not bright red, however. Ticks may be identified because they tend to latch on to a singular location and won't move around. They may also cause skin to swell around where they've bitten. The tick heads typically remain black or dark brown.
A flea or tick bath or a medical treatment may help get rid of red bugs on a dog if these insects are actually affected by treatment. The insects may also need to be picked off with a set of tweezers one by one, particularly if they've burrowed into the skin. If concerned, the dog owner should take her dog to the vet to rule out serious infestations and test for infections. A groomer may also be able to identify the specific type of insect, if taking infected dogs into the salon is permitted.