Is your dog always scratching its ears or shaking its head?
Your furry friend could be having ear mites!
These tiny insects can cause irritation to your dog as well as other people living in your home. It’s even worse if you keep several pets because ear mites can easily spread and reproduce.
Your local vet may help you get rid of dog ear mites, but that’s going to cost some money. Eliminating dog ear mites yourself is quick and easy. Even better, you can get natural remedies from easily available household ingredients.
7 Natural Remedies That Remove Dog Ear Mites
Here are seven simple ways to treat dog ear mites at home.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Image from Pexels
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that removes debris and dirt from your dog’s ears. More importantly, it kills bacteria and yeast. However, if your dog’s ears are red and sore, you may not want to use vinegar because it’ll be painful.
No products found.
To make natural dog ear mites remedy at home, mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and distilled water. Next, put the mixture in a syringe and squirt several drops into your dog’s ear.
Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in this mixture and gently clean the ear flap of your dog. Don’t use tap water to make the solution as it can infect your dog’s ear. Also, refrain from using Q-tips to clean the ears because they can push germs and dirt further into the ears or even damage the eardrums.
2. Mullein
Image from Pixabay
Mullein is a natural inflammation and pain reliever with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The plant’s roots, leaves, and flowers can be used for a multitude of remedies including eliminating dog ear mites.
To make a dog ear mite remedy using mullein, pack a glass jar with either the plant’s leaves or flowers and add olive oil. Add two cloves of freshly chopped garlic for extra antibacterial effectiveness.
Next, put the mixture in a safe place and let it sit for about three weeks. Afterward, strain off the leaves or flowers and use an ear dropper to apply several drops of the oil into your dog’s ear. A cotton ball can also be used for application.
If you can’t wait for six weeks to treat your dog, you can buy ready-made mullein infused oil online or at your local store.
3. Oregano Oil
Image from Pexels
Oregano oil is another natural antibiotic you can use to relieve your dog from ear mite irritation. However, never use undiluted oregano oil in your dog’s ears because it can cause more irritation.
No products found.
To create a homemade remedy for dog ear mites using oregano oil, add one drop of the oil to half an ounce of aloe vera juice in a small bottle and shake well. Use an ear dropper to apply several drops of this mixture into your dog’s ears. Don’t forget to swab the ear flap with a cotton ball soaked with this healing formula.
4. Calendula
Image from Pexels
Calendula has healing properties – it’s, in fact, one of the best natural ways to treat minor skin and external ear complications. You can use the herb externally or internally to relieve pain and treat fungal infections.
Dog owners looking to get rid of ear mites can buy ready-made calendula infused oil or make their own at home using the following DIY recipe.
Fill a glass jar with calendula flowers and cover them with olive oil. Add one or two cloves of freshly chopped garlic. Ensure that the mixture is fully covered with olive oil and let the concoction sit for around three or four days.
Afterward, strain off the flowers until you have clean oil. Soak a cotton ball with this oil and apply it gently to the mite infested ear. Use an ear dropper to apply this antibacterial formula into deeper parts of your dog’s ear.
5. Coconut Oil
Image from Pexels
Coconut oil boasts of both antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can use it for a myriad of treatments, including getting rid of dog ear mites. To make a DIY remedy for your dog, you will need two teaspoons of coconut oil and two cloves of fresh garlic.
No products found.
Here’s how to go about it:
Heat the two ingredients in a low heat saucepan and let it simmer until the oil liquefies. Let the mixture cool until it’s lukewarm, then apply it to the affected dog ear. The application can be done with a dropper or a cotton ball – or both. The dropper allows you to apply the mixture into deeper areas of your dog’s ear, while the cotton ball clears mites from the ear flap.
6. Antiseptic Green Tea
Image from Pexels
Green tea is naturally an antiseptic and can be used to clean mite-infested dog’s ears. Not only does it eliminate ear mites, but also clears the debris left by them. Even after you get rid of mites, the crumby brown or black substances left behind can clog your dog’s ear canal and accumulate bacteria, causing more complications.
To make an antiseptic tea rinse, put one tablespoon of the green tea into a cup full of hot water for around three minutes. Strain the mixture and cool it down to room temperature. Apply this mixture to your dog’s ears once per day for about a month or until the mites are gone.
7. Aloe Vera
Image from Pexels
Aloe Vera juice has anti-inflammatory and skin soothing capabilities, making it ideal for reducing the redness and itching caused by ear mites. It also helps heal the sores caused by mite bites with its healing properties.
To make a dog ear mite remedy, extract two or three tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice and apply it to your dog’s ears with a dropper. Wait for a few minutes and gently wipe off excessive Aloe Vera juice, mites, and dirt with a cotton ball. Repeat the process every day for a month, and your dog will be mite-free.
You can also get natural Aloe Vera gel online or at your local store.
How to Diagnose Dog Ear Mites
Image from Pexels
There are three ways to diagnose dog ear mites.
1. Look for Common Dog Ear Mite Symptoms
This can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Dogs with mite-infested ears exhibit the following signs:
- Constant ear scratching
- Head shaking
- Dark brown crumby ear wax
- Painful, sensitive or swollen ears
- Hair loss, especially around the infested ear
- Smelly ears
2. Do a Thorough Examination
To do this, extract a small amount of debris from the outer canal of your dog’s ear. Place the extract on a bright background and inspect it using a magnifying glass. If your dog has these mites, you will notice white pin head-sized moving specks.
3. Consult Your Vet
Your vet will perform a comprehensive physical exam, as well as thorough ear and skin tests to determine if your dog has the mites. They may take samples of skin scrapping for a lab analysis or even use an otoscope to examine the internal parts of your dog’s ear.
Things to Know for Treating Your Dog
Image from Pexels
When treating eat mites, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
- For any treatment to work, you have to clear all the mite debris in the ear canal. Start by cleaning the ear flap with a cotton ball soaked with an ear wash. Proceed to the inner ear, taking care not to go too deep or scrub too hard.
- It’s important to understand the natural cycle of a mite’s life when treating your dog. The lifecycle of all mites takes about 3-4 weeks. That’s why it’s recommended to repeat the cleaning process daily for a month.
- Ear mites can be transmitted to other pets by contact. So if one of your dogs is infected, you should treat all pets regardless of whether they show symptoms or not. These mites can re-infect the rest of the pets if one of them is not treated well. Also, consider quarantining the affected dog.
Getting Rid of Dog Ear Mites is that Easy
Image Via: Pixabay
Hopefully, these natural dog ear mite remedies will help you relieve your furry friend of ear mites. However, if your dog gets recurring ear infections, it’s advisable that you consult a vet to obtain a definitive diagnosis and treatment. This is because ear mites can cause secondary ear infections that home remedies won’t cure.
Also, it’s important to keep your home clean always. Simple things like vacuuming your carpets and rugs daily will go a long way in reducing dog ear mites.
Last update on 2022-06-02 at 02:16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
