Tea Tree Oil for Ear Mites in Dogs

If you see your dog scratching at its ears or shaking its head excessively, it probably suffers from a parasitic infection of the ears. Tiny crab-like parasites called mites can infest your dog's ears, causing it discomfort and itching; they can also lead to bacterial or fungal infections. Treat a mite infestation naturally using tea tree oil, which can kill the mites without the use of toxic insecticides.

  1. Dog Ear Mites

    • Otodectic mites, which are small, parasitic insects, crawl into your dog's ears and live in the ear canal. These highly contagious pests feed on the skin and wax in the ears by chewing on the skin inside. A small number of mites can cause an allergic reaction that leads to intense itching. Inspect your dog's ears if you suspect an ear mite infestation. Look for signs of redness and crusty scabs, along with crumbly, dark wax that looks similar to coffee grains. Because mite infestations lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, you may also smell a foul odor in the ears. You must treat the ears to rid your dog of the mites to prevent permanent damage to the ears and your dog's hearing.

    Tea Tree Oil

    • Manufacturers of tea tree oil obtain it through steam distillation of the leaves of the tea tree plant, also called melaleuca alternifolia, according to the Mayo Clinic. The resulting essential oil contains terpinen-4-ol, a chemical that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil deters mites, reduces inflammation caused by the mites and helps to treat any secondary fungal or bacterial infections in the dog's ears. Dilute tea tree oil with a vegetable oil or liquid to a 15 percent solution before using it on your dog, according to C.J. Puotinen, author of "The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care."

    Natural Remedies

    • Before treating your dog's ears, you need to clean them by making a rinse with tea tree oil. Mix together 2 tbsp. of tea tree oil with 4 tbsp. of vodka, and add it to 3/4 of a cup of distilled water. Combine this solution with an equal part of aloe vera juice to make a soothing rinse you can clean your dog's ears with, according to C.J. Puotinen. Apply the solution to the dog's ears with an eye dropper and wipe away debris with a cotton ball. After cleansing with this solution, dilute 2 tbsp. of tea tree oil with 1/2 cup of olive oil and place a few drops of it into your dog's ears daily to treat inflammation and kill the mites.

    Treatment and Warnings

    • Always dilute tea tree oil before application in a carrier oil, such as olive or grape seed oil, and before application. Direct application of full-strength essential oils to your dog's ears can cause further irritation. The life cycle of the mite is three weeks, so continue daily cleaning and application of the tea tree oil solution to your dogs ears for four weeks to get rid of all mites. Treat all dogs in your home with the tea tree oil rinse and oil mixture, because the mites are highly contagious. Do not use tea tree oil to treat ear mites in cats; cats cannot tolerate essential oils of any type, including tea tree oil.