Ear Mite Treatment for Dogs: How to Get Rid of Them Quickly

The presence of ear mites in dogs can manifest itself in several ways. So, if you see your pooch exhibiting the following symptoms there is a good chance their ears will be afflicted by them.

• Red, itchy ears

• Repeated shaking or tilting of the head (although this could also indicate a middle or inner ear infection, which is a more serious condition that needs vet advice)

• Sensitive or painful ears

• Unpleasant odors coming from the ears (if the odor is more than mild then it is probably more likely to result from a secondary infection that would require a trip to the vet).

• Waxy discharge coming from the ear

• General irritation

These prodromes can cause significant pain and discomfort for your four-legged friend and, if left untreated, can even lead to other infections or a loss of hearing.

The most likely circumstances in which a dog can contract ear mites is if they come into close contact with another canine or cat that already has them.

Unfortunately, ear mites are extremely contagious. So, if you are a parent to multiple dogs, there is a strong likelihood of them all becoming infected if one of your pack picks them up.

That is because mites can happily transfer themselves onto bedding and toys before jumping on a new host when dogs play together.

As previously mentioned, dogs of all ages can attract ear mites. However, puppies are particularly susceptible, as are those who do not get regular parasite protection against heartworm, ticks and fleas.

Aside from avoiding coming into contact with a known infected animal, the best way to prevent your dogs from succumbing to ear mites is to give them parasite treatments that counter them.

Due to ear mites being so tiny, you may only discover your dog has them when you take them to a vet.

During a consultation, a vet will do an initial examination of its ears, most likely with an otoscope, which is a specialist tool they use to look for any inflammation of abnormal discharges in your pooch’s ear canals.

You can expect to be asked a series of questions, such as when you first noticed the symptoms, whether there are several other dogs or cats in the household and if your mutt is taking any monthly preventatives.

Should the animal doctor suspect there to be the presence of ear mites, they might perform diagnostic testing via ear cytology.

Whilst doing this test, they will collect a tiny swab sample from your canine’s ear canal, which they will then put on a glass slide with a droplet of mineral oil and examine under a microscope. If there are ear mites or their eggs present on the slide, it will show up under the magnified view.

While some natural home remedies may help address infestations, it is not advisable to try any of them until a veterinarian has checked the dog’s eardrums to ensure they are still intact.

Attempting to treat ear issues without this confirmation can pose serious risks, as a ruptured eardrum may lead to damage to the delicate structures of the middle and inner ear.

Without an otoscope, you won’t know for sure  if your dog has ear mites or another issue, as ear mites cannot be seen without specialized equipment. Therefore, the only recommended course of action if you cannot get to a vet is to use a specifically manufactured gentle water-based flush product, such as those containing chlorhexidine and tris-EDTA (e.g., Nextmune Otodine). 

These products are safe to use even if the eardrum is ruptured and may have some effect on addressing ear mites until a veterinarian can provide proper treatment.

There is nothing worse than seeing your dog in discomfort or distress, and the presence of ear mites can be a significant trigger of both.

Luckily, if you suspect your canine is being caused grief by them, there are a number of ear mite treatments for dogs available to rid them of these pests.

While going to a qualified and experienced veterinarian is always your best move, we hope the home remedies outlined in this guide will provide your four-legged friend with instant relief from their ailment.

Here are some common answers to questions many dog mums and dads ask about ear mite treatment for dogs.

The chances of humans getting ear mites from their dogs are virtually zero. However, it an ear mite bites a person after they jump off your dog, it could result in skin rashes or itchiness.