Ear mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that are normally contracted from the outdoor environment that your feline friend comes into contact with. This can include wooded or grassy areas, or animal shelters or veterinary offices with poor hygiene.
Outdoor cats are more prone to catch them from other cats while wrestling around or snuggling (basically any social interaction with an infected cat), but indoor cats can also catch them from the toys or bedding of other infected cats.
Speaking of washing bedding …
You'll want to do a thorough cleaning to avoid those trouble makers from coming back and setting up shop in your pet's precious ears … AGAIN! Ear mites can live 4-6 days without feeding on a host. Since they're microscopic they can be living in your carpet or on your couch.
The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, is a surface mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits, and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface. Ear mites are highly contagious, and animals become infested by direct contact with another infested animal.
Your dog can get ear mites from just spending time outdoors. When outside, ear mites can be found in areas with a lot of trees or grasses. When your dog unknowingly passes by the mites, they cling to your dog and climb up to the ear. It's also possible for ear mites to pass from pet to pet.
The life cycle of an ear mite usually lasts three weeks. Since the medication kills mature mites but leaves eggs intact, it may take a few weeks for your dog to be rid of the microscopic insects. But with patience, the symptoms will soon subside as the medication starts to take effect.
Green tea is a natural antiseptic that will get rid of mites. It'll also help remove the “coffee grounds” debris. Massage your dog's ears gently (she should love this!)
The following are some of the best products that kills mites on dogs instantly: OUT! Natural Flea, Tick and Mite Treatment Spray. SynergyLabs Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for Dogs.
Unfortunately you will always need to treat ear mites in your cat because they will not go away on their own. If treating ear mites in cats is delayed for too long you run the risk of chronic ear infections.
Simple monthly dosing with NexGard® or NexGard SPECTRA® helps keep dogs healthy by treating and controlling ear mite infestations. As well as giving your dog preventative parasite protection, it is also wise to: Keep your dog away from other animals that have ear mites. Regularly wash bedding and toys in hot water.
Otherwise, some mites may survive to reinfect your dog. You will also need to disinfect your home. The home treatment for ear mites is similar to that of fleas. Thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming your home and treating all other animals in the household will help.
“There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.”
The most common way for a cat to catch ear mites is from another cat, but they can also be picked up from the home, garden and environment. Fortunately, treating ear mites is relatively simple. Contact your vet if you think your cat may have ear mites.
If ear mites are the cause of your cat's itchy ears, there are different ways to rid your cat of these annoying bugs. The fastest and most effective are some newer parasite-killing medications available from veterinarians, some of which can clear ear mite infestations with a single dose.
Ear mites are very small insects that infest the ear canal of dogs and cats are HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS from pet to pet, they are frequently found in entire litters of puppies and kittens. Ear Mites spread by direct contact with an infested animal. They are not contagious to humans.
Here are a few essential oils that mites hate: Tea Tree oil. Lavender Oil. Eucalyptus Oil.
Once home, a thorough cleaning of the house is in order. You'll need to cleanse any area of the home your pet frequents, as well as potentially treating any other animals in the house. After 30 days, your veterinarian will likely want to schedule another appointment to ensure your dog or cat is free of mites.
Ear mites usually appear as a black, dry, coffee ground-like appearance in the ears. They can cause a lot of discomfort because they are very itchy, irritating and can be painful. The ear mite feeds on skin debris, that can cause inflammation, which creates a secondary infection.
Take your pet to the vet if his ears are red, have a bad odor or he is scratching his ears or shaking his head for proper care. Olive oil, mineral oil or coconut oil—oils are relatively safe to use, and olive oil can kill ear mites by smothering them though it takes many weeks to clear ear mites with this method.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Unless your cat's ears have cuts or sores, ACV is an effective ear mite remedy worth trying.
Ear mites in dogs typically look like tiny, moving dots in the ear canal, but are so tiny that you may not be able to spot them at all. It takes a vet with an otoscope or microscope to properly spot an infestation.
To ensure all mite eggs have been eliminated treatment needs to continue for a minimum of 3 weeks. If using a single use product such as Revolution one dose is often enough to get rid of an ear mite infection but it will still take up to three or four weeks for the infection to completely clear up.
The mite is transmitted from one animal to another through physical contact. Because ear mites are so contagious, you must treat all susceptible animals in your home simultaneously to eliminate them, even if just one pet is diagnosed.
They are mostly invisible but can sometimes be identified as tiny white dots. They feed off your dog's blood. If you use a soft cloth to clean your pup's ears and then look at what is on the cloth, you may be able to see if your pup is indeed suffering from ear mites.