Amy Thompson
Ear mites in dogs are no joke. They can be a real nuisance, causing your pup to scratch his ears like crazy and shake his head constantly. These tiny pests are common, but the good news is they’re treatable if you catch them early.
The sooner you notice and treat ear mites, the better. Left unchecked, they can lead to bigger problems, but thankfully, there are some natural ways to get rid of them and help your dog feel better.
What Are Ear Mites In Dogs?
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny parasites that hang out in your dog’s ear canal. They don’t bite or burrow like some other pests, but they do feed on the oils and wax in your dog’s ears. This causes a lot of itching and irritation, which leads to all that scratching and shaking. While they’re small, they can cause a lot of trouble if not dealt with.
Ear mites spread fast between pets. If your dog has them, there’s a good chance your cat or other pets might get them too. Luckily, ear mites rarely affect humans, but it’s still a good idea to act quickly to stop them from spreading among your pets.
How Do Dogs Get Ear Mites?
Dogs often pick up ear mites outside, especially from contact with outdoor cats, which are common carriers. Whether your dog loves exploring the yard or interacting with stray animals, ear mites can hitch a ride and make themselves at home in your dog’s ears.
Ear mites are highly contagious between animals, so if one of your pets gets them, it’s likely the others will too. If your dog has ear mites, make sure to check your other pets as well because they can spread fast.
You might be wondering: can humans catch ear mites from dogs? In theory, yes, but it's extremely rare. That said, humans can get an ear mite infection or mite infestations even if they don't have a pet ... so it's worth knowing about ear mite treatment and the symptoms below for your own sake, too.
Signs And Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Dogs
If your dog has ear mites, you'll probably notice him acting a little off, especially with his ears. The most common signs of ear mite infestations in dogs are head shaking and frequent scratching at their ears, sometimes to the point of obsession. Dogs with normally perky ears might also walk around with droopy ears due to the irritation.
Along with behavioural changes, keep an eye out for some telltale physical symptoms. You might see a dark red or brown discharge inside the ears, which often looks like coffee grounds. There could also be a foul odor coming from your dog’s ears, and if your dog has been scratching a lot, you might spot red, irritated patches or even skin lesions around the ear area.
If ear mites are left untreated, things can get worse. Beyond the discomfort, your dog could experience hearing loss, balance issues, or even damage to the ear’s inner structures. Plus, all that scratching can lead to secondary infections, which only makes things more complicated and painful for your pup.
Diagnosing Ear Mites In Dogs
You can often check for ear mites at home before heading to the vet. Take a cotton swab or a cotton ball and gently collect some of the debris from the outer part of your dog’s ear canal. Place the debris on a dark surface and use a magnifying glass to see if you can spot tiny white specks moving around—those are the mites. If you don’t see anything, try collecting debris from the other ear.
If you’re not able to spot anything or if your dog’s symptoms seem severe, it might be time to visit the vet. Vets often use an otoscope to look deep into the ear or may check ear discharge under a microscope to confirm the presence of mites.
However, if your dog is fidgety or stressed, some vets might suggest sedation—this should be a last resort. Consider using calming methods like CBD oil or Rescue Remedy to avoid unnecessary sedation during the exam.
Conventional Treatment For Ear Mites
Pharmaceutical treatments for ear mites are a common go-to, and they often come in the form of topical anti-parasitics or oral medications like ivermectin. These drugs are designed to paralyze or kill the mites, but they can come with their own risks.
While they may be effective in getting rid of the mites, it's important to know that these treatments can cause side effects like skin irritations or, in some cases, more severe reactions like neurotoxicity.
While medications can get rid of ear mites, they aren’t without risks. Some dogs may experience seizures, vomiting, or loss of coordination (ataxia) due to the neurotoxic nature of these drugs.
Skin irritations and allergic reactions are also possible, and if your dog has to take the treatment for several weeks (as mites have a long lifecycle), these side effects can add up. It’s always worth considering if a less harsh approach might work just as well.
Safer, Natural Remedies For Ear Mites
If you know your dog has a mite problem, then it's time to get those ear mites treated. The good news is you can do so without harsh treatment options.
We recommend starting with the natural home remedies below and consulting with your holistic vet.
Green Tea Rinse
Green tea is a natural antiseptic that can help clean your dog’s ears while soothing irritation.
Brew a cup of green tea, let it cool, and use a dropper to place a few drops into your dog’s ear. This will help remove mite debris and clean the area, promoting healing. Repeat daily until the mites are gone.
Olive Oil Method
A more gentle approach involves cleaning your dog’s ears with olive oil, which works by suffocating the mites.
Simply apply the olive oil to your dog’s ear canal, remove any debris, and repeat every three days for about two weeks. For added relief, you can mix in a drop or two of essential oils like calendula or peppermint to help soothe the ear and speed up recovery.
Garlic Oil Treatment
Garlic oil is another powerful, natural solution for ear mites. Garlic contains sulfur, which acts as a natural anti-parasitic, effectively repelling mites. Plus, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent any secondary infections from developing.
To make your own garlic oil, simply crush a few garlic cloves into olive oil, let it sit overnight, strain, and apply a few drops to your dog’s ear.
Preventing Ear Mites In Dogs
The best way to prevent ear mites is to keep your dog’s immune system strong, making him less attractive to parasites. Feeding a raw, whole-food diet full of natural nutrients is a great way to support your dog’s overall health.
Reducing your dog’s exposure to harsh chemicals can also go a long way in preventing ear mites and other parasites. Use natural cleaning products around the house and avoid chemical-based flea and tick preventatives. These chemicals can disrupt your dog’s skin health and leave him more vulnerable to parasites, so a more natural approach can be a safer bet in the long run.
FAQ
How do you get rid of ear mites in dogs? To get rid of dogs' ear mites naturally, you can use remedies like olive oil or garlic oil, which help suffocate and treat the mites. Regularly cleaning the ears and using natural treatments for several weeks can effectively clear up the ear mite infestation without harsh medications.
How can you tell if your dog has ear mites? You can diagnose ear mites in your dog by looking for signs like excessive ear scratching, head shaking, and dark, crumbly ear wax that resembles coffee grounds. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to further ear irritation or an ear infection.
How contagious are ear mites in dogs? Dog ear mites are highly contagious and can easily spread between pets, including cats and ferrets, through close contact. While humans rarely catch ear mites, it’s important to treat all animals in the household to prevent the infestation from spreading.
How do you get rid of ear mites without going to the vet? You can get rid of ear mites without visiting the vet by using natural remedies like green tea or garlic oil to clean your dog's ears and soothe ear irritation. These treatments are effective in treating ear mites and can also help prevent secondary ear infections.
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