Key takeaways:
Ear mites can cause your dog to experience itching and discomfort, usually in and around their ears.
Ear mites cause symptoms similar to other types of ear infections. So an accurate diagnosis is important.
If left untreated, ear mites can cause partial or total deafness in your dog.
If your dog has itchy, inflamed ears, ear mites might be to blame. These tiny parasites can cause significant discomfort in dogs. They can also quickly and easily spread to other pets. Your veterinarian can diagnose and treat mites so your dog feels better — and stop these pests in their tracks.
What are dog ear mites?
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that can infest the external ear canal in dogs and cats. Otodectes cynotis is the most common type of ear mite. Ear mites are more common in cats than dogs, but dogs can still get them.
Once in the ear canal, mites bite through the thin skin to feed on your dog’s blood and ear wax. They usually stay within the ear, but they can also travel all over your dog’s body.
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Mites reproduce quickly, so an infestation can rapidly get worse. Mites lay eggs on your dog’s skin, and their eggs hatch within 4 days. Those young mites become adults within 3 weeks. Adults live for about 2 months.
What do dog ear mites look like?
Ear mites are barely visible to the naked eye. They are very tiny but may be seen sometimes as small moving white specks. Under a microscope, ear mites look like tiny spiders or ticks. Because ear mites are so tiny, it’s best to pay attention to any symptoms your dog may have and consult your veterinarian.
Signs and symptoms of ear mites in dogs
When dogs are bitten by ear mites, they may show a number of symptoms, said Travis McDermott, DVM, hospital director at Durango Animal Hospital in Las Vegas. These include:
Swelling
Scratching their ears
Shaking their head in discomfort
Having redness in and around the ears
Developing raw areas or hot spots from scratching too much
Some dogs develop a buildup in their ears because of mite infestations. You might see gunk in your dog’s ears that may resemble coffee grounds. This crumby buildup sometimes has a strong, stinky odor.
It’s possible for only one of your dog’s ears to be infected with mites. But it’s more common for both ears to be infected.
Dog ear mites vs. earwax
Since ear mites are hard to see without a microscope, earwax or dirt can be mistaken for ear mites. Healthy dog ears are usually pink and don’t smell. They also shouldn’t have any inflammation (swelling or redness).
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It’s normal for dogs to have a little earwax. The color should be a light brown. And the consistency should be slightly soft. Oozing, moist, or excessive earwax could be a sign that something is wrong. It could be ear mites, or it could be an ear infection caused by something else.
Ear mite treatment for dogs
Ear mite treatments for dogs vary. But McDermott said topical medications are a common treatment for dog ear mites.
Topical medications are applied inside your dog’s ear or elsewhere on their skin to help get rid of mites. Other possible treatments for ear mites may come in the form of drops, ointments, and creams. Many of these medicines also prevent or treat other parasites, including fleas and ticks.
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The most common ear mite medicines for dogs include:
Thiabendazole (Tresaderm)
Sarolaner (Simparica)
Lotilaner (Credelio)
Selamectin (Revolution, Stronghold, Paradyne)
Moxidectin (Advantage Multi, Advocate, ProHeart)
Are there any OTC treatments for dog ear mites?
There are some over-the-counter (OTC) ear mite treatments for dogs. But McDermott said that prescription ear mite medications are usually your best option. OTC ear mite treatments are considered less effective than prescription medications.
OTC treatments often need 3 to 4 weeks to work. Prescription medications can work in 7 to 10 days or even less, depending on the medication.
You or your veterinarian may also need to clean out your dog’s ears to get rid of any leftover buildup caused by mites. If your dog has scratched areas of their skin raw, your vet might recommend antibiotics, too.
How do dogs get ear mites?
Your dog can get ear mites from just spending time outdoors. 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 their ears.
Ear mites are also contagious, so it’s possible for ear mites to pass from pet to pet. “While ear mites are much more common in cats than dogs, the disease process is the same,” McDermott said. “Ear mites are spread from one pet to another through close contact.”
Ear mites can infect cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits. And it doesn’t take much for ear mites to spread. For example, your dog can get them by passing too close to an infected animal on a walk. Mites can also spread in boarding or grooming facilities.
Although ear mites easily spread among pets, they won’t infect humans. If ear mites aren’t living on an animal, they die off quickly.
Diagnosing ear mites in dogs
To diagnose ear mites, veterinarians start by evaluating a dog’s overall ear health, McDermott said. Your veterinarian may use an otoscope — a small tool with a light on it — to look inside your dog’s ear canal. They’ll also take a sample from inside your dog’s ear for further inspection.
Next, your vet will use a microscope to examine your dog’s ear discharge. The microscope helps the veterinarian determine what types of organisms or pests are in your dog’s ears. With this information, your vet can recommend treatment.
It’s important to take your dog to the veterinarian if you suspect ear mites. “Failure to treat any ear infection, including ear mites, can lead to discomfort and possibly hearing loss,” McDermott said.
Your vet can also confirm whether you’re really dealing with an ear mite issue. Ear mites cause symptoms that closely resemble other types of infections. Treating the wrong cause of an ear problem can make your dog’s symptoms worse. You’ll also increase the time your dog has to wait before receiving the right treatment.
Are there any home remedies for dog ear mites?
No, home remedies for ear mites are not effective. In the past, mineral oil was used to treat ear mites in dogs. It worked by suffocating the mites and eggs. But it has to be applied multiple times a day for at least 6 weeks. It’s not as effective as prescription ear mite treatments from your veterinarian. It’s also not effective against infections caused by ear mites.
If you suspect your dog has ear mites, it’s best to take them to your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
How do you prevent ear mites in dogs?
Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears can help you prevent ear mites or spot and treat them early. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean your dog’s ears, then check for mites. They will look like teeny, tiny dots on the cloth. Keep in mind, ear mites are hard to see. So you should still look for other signs of discomfort in your dog.
Your veterinarian may also suggest putting your dog on a regular combination preventive medication that keeps them from getting ear mites in the first place. These medications also prevent other pests, including fleas and ticks.
To stop mites from spreading, you’ll need to focus on preventing any of your pets from getting them. If your dog already has ear mites, your veterinarian might recommend treating your other pets as a precaution.
McDermott also recommended using caution when letting your dog interact with other pets. Keeping cats indoors and away from stray cats can help prevent them from bringing home ear mites that may spread to your dogs.
Frequently asked questions
No, experts do not recommend hydrogen peroxide to treat ear mites in dogs. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate healthy tissue in the ears. Your veterinarian will recommend the best prescription ear mite medication for your dog.
No, coconut oil is not a treatment for ear mites in dogs and will not kill ear mites. It might soothe skin irritation. Talk to your veterinarian before putting coconut oil in your dog’s ears.
You can try to treat your dog’s ear mites without going to the vet. But you may end up doing more harm than good. Ear mites are best treated under a veterinarian’s care.
No, experts do not recommend hydrogen peroxide to treat ear mites in dogs. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate healthy tissue in the ears. Your veterinarian will recommend the best prescription ear mite medication for your dog.
No, coconut oil is not a treatment for ear mites in dogs and will not kill ear mites. It might soothe skin irritation. Talk to your veterinarian before putting coconut oil in your dog’s ears.
You can try to treat your dog’s ear mites without going to the vet. But you may end up doing more harm than good. Ear mites are best treated under a veterinarian’s care.
The bottom line
Ear mites in dogs can create an itchy, uncomfortable infection. If your dog has mites, it’s important to schedule a veterinary appointment. Your veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis by looking at your dog’s ear canal and taking a skin sample. Symptoms to watch out for include itching, swelling, and head-shaking.
A veterinarian will recommend the best treatment for your dog. Most of the time, treatment involves applying a medication directly to your dog’s ears or skin, such as afoxolaner (NexGard) and fluralaner (Bravecto). Treating an ear mite infection early will help keep your dog comfortable and healthy. It can also stop the mites from spreading to your other pets.
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References
American College of Veterinary Surgeons. (n.d.). Otitis externa.
Brooks, W. (2024). Ear mites in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Cohen, A. (2024). How to clean your dog’s ears. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Dryden, M. W. (2024). Mite infestation (mange, acariasis, scabies) in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Durango Animal Hospital & Luxury Pet Hotel. (n.d.). Meet our team.
Little, S., et al. (2021). Ear mites: Uncovering, treating, and preventing infestations. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Papajeski, B. (2020). Ear cytology: Sampling, processing, and microscopic evaluation. Today’s Veterinary Nurse.
University of Saskatchewan. (2021). Otodectes cynotis.
