How to Get Rid of Ear Mites on Dogs With Household Materials

Ear mites are troublesome little parasites that are able to survive well under a variety of conditions. They particularly like the dark, moist environment of the ear canal. Dogs can become infested with mites, usually as a result of contact with an animal that has an infestation. Ear mites are microscopic and often go undetected before symptoms occur. Reducing the discomfort and treating ear mites with simple household materials can often be accomplished in a few steps.

Instructions

    • 1

      Shampoo your dog frequently. This helps to reduce the spread of ear mites and can alleviate many unpleasant symptoms. This step is especially important to remove oily build up that can result from many of the homemade remedies. Make sure not to get water directly into the ear canal, and that the pet is dried off completely afterward.

    • 2

      Cleanse the ear with a white vinegar solution. The solution should be made using 1-part vinegar and 2-parts water. Use a small dropper to administer a few drops into the canal, and apply solution to a cotton ball to use on the outer portion of the ear. The acidity of this solution helps to clean dirt and debris from the ear, and can kill off mites. However, this solution should not be administered to pets with severe skin irritations or open wounds because it can cause discomfort.

    • 3

      Administer a corn oil solution to the ears. Mineral oil, tea tree oil, sweet oil, or wormwood oil can also be used. Olive oil or almond oil mixed with 400 international units of vitamin E is yet another popular alternative. These oil remedies smother and drown the mites, as well soothe irritated ears. Dispense one or two droppers full into each ear canal and then massage well into the ear. With a cotton ball or paper towel, gently cleanse the outer portion of the ear and remove excess. This should be repeated one to three times a day for three to five days. Let the ears rest for ten days and repeat as necessary.

    • 4

      Apply Yellow Dock Root extract to ears. To prepare the solution, mix 1 teaspoon of the yellow dock herb with 1 pint of boiling water. Remove from heat and let it stand for 30 minutes. Once the solution has cooled, strain the mixture and administer to the ears by following the same procedure used for oil remedies. This remedy does prevent hatchlings from growing, but may take longer to take effect.