Apple cider vinegar can be effective for mild infestations as it's known to be a good anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredient but won't be effective for more intense ear mite growth.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Pet parents can make a 1:1 mix of apple cider vinegar and water to help treat a mild infestation. Oils. Oils like coconut or olive can suffocate ear mites, which may be able to eliminate the problem.
“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.”
White vinegar is a weak acid that, mixed 50:50 with water in an empty dropper bottle (available at drug stones), destroys most fungal and bacterial growth in the ears. Several drops of half-strength vinegar several times a day in the ears takes care of most itchy ears.
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!)
There are several ear medications licensed for the treatment of ear mites in pets. No medication can penetrate the eggs or pupae, so treatment is directed at killing the adult and larval forms.
Here are a few essential oils that mites hate: Tea Tree oil. Lavender Oil. Eucalyptus Oil.
Itching by itself without evidence of trauma or infection can be treated with a mild steroid ear drop. A few drops placed in the ear will help to decrease the amount of itching. Another helpful treatment is the use of 70% alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as an ear drop.
In the first instance, you can use a diluted apple cider vinegar solution to clean your dog's ears. Apple cider vinegar helps by acting as a cleanser and an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. Dabbing this into your dog's ears sparingly can help to clean out the inside of their ears and treat the infection.
Unlike fleas and other parasites that may latch on to your pets, ear mite eggs can't be killed off with medication. As a result, treatment interventions are focused on killing adult mites and larvae after they're hatched.
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.
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.
Using 4-5 drops in the ear once or twice weekly and allowing it to soak for a minute or two before showering (adjust the frequency as necessary) is often enough to prevent frequent visits for ear cleaning. This can be mixed with alcohol equal parts (alcohol helps to “dry” the vinegar).
Another homemade mixture that can work is apple cider vinegar and borax. The acidity in apple cider vinegar works as a natural insecticide against wood mites and other bugs.
Do home remedies work? Home remedies such as baking soda, green tea, or olive oil may seem like an easy alternative to treatment for ear mites in your dog. However, they are not proven to work and may even prolong the problem or cause other issues.
Apple cider vinegar is a great solution to problems with a dog's ear since it kills all bacteria. However, you shouldn't use vinegar if your dog's ear has become too sore as it can hurt. Mix the vinegar with water, it should be one-part water one-part vinegar. Put the mixture in a syringe or soak it into a cotton ball.
There are various types of ear cleaners, but the most important thing is that you only use a good quality dog ear cleaner. Never put olive oil, vinegar, shampoo, or any other substance in a dog's ear.
Keeping Fleas and Ticks Away
To make your own flea and tick repellent, mix one part vinegar with one part water and spray it on your pet's fur. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to help repel fleas and ticks from the inside out. Morgan recommends one teaspoon per quart of water.
Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. This softens the wax so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough.
Contact with common irritants such as hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, water, ear drops (both prescribed and over-the-counter), or excessive ear cleaning can all cause dry, itchy ears. Some skin and hair products can irritate the skin. So can certain metals in jewelry, especially nickel.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline™) or skin care ointments (Aquaphor™) can help treat your ear eczema. These products moisturize and protect your affected skin. They're hypoallergenic and have antibacterial and antifungal characteristics that help heal your skin. Gently wash your ears with warm running water and mild soap.
Oil Treatment.
Oil helps soothe sore ears and also can float debris out. Oil also can suffocate the mites. Holistic vets say it doesn't really matter what kind of oil you use, although some recommend almond or olive oil.
Applying Bravecto Plus for Cats every 2 months ensures your cat will be protected from fleas, paralysis ticks and heartworm throughout the year with just 6 doses. One dose also treats roundworm, hookworm and ear mites.
What is the life cycle of the ear mite? It takes approximately 3 weeks for a mite to develop from egg to adult, going through a total of 5 stages. Adult ear mites live about 2 months, during which time they continually reproduce.