How to Prevent Mites for Dogs Using Garlic

Ear mites are a common pest in dogs, and if left untreated, they can cause pain, head shaking and scratching, which can lead to injury to the ear and bacterial infections. Severe mite infestations that are not addressed can damage the dog's eardrum and lead to hearing loss. While medicated ear drops for ear mites are available, you can also make a homemade remedy using garlic.

Things You'll Need

  • Eye dropper
  • Mineral or baby oil
  • White vinegar
  • Distilled water
  • Rubber ear syringe
  • Cotton balls
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Crush four pods of garlic and soak them in a cup of olive oil overnight. Strain the garlic from the oil.

    • 2

      Clean all debris from inside the dog's ears. Use the eyedropper to insert several drops of warmed mineral oil into the ears. Rub gently to work the oil into the ear canal. Wait several hours for the oil to loosen any crust that has built up in the ears.

    • 3

      Fill a rubber ear syringe with a solution of warmed white vinegar and distilled water in equal parts. Gently squeeze the syringe to send a flow of the vinegar and water solution into the ear canal to flush out the loosened debris. Do not stick the syringe into the ear canal; just squeeze and release the vinegar water in short streams. Too much force can injure the dog's inner ear. Make sure the solution is warmed to room temperature before inserting it into the dog's ears.

    • 4

      Wipe out the ears with cotton balls, gently removing any remaining debris. Do not push the cotton too far into the ear canal, to avoid damaging the eardrum.

    • 5

      Warm the olive oil to a lukewarm temperature and apply several drops of the garlic/oil mixture into each ear twice a day for 10 days. Gently rub the dog's ears to work the oil into the ear canal.