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ear mites in dogs
Coffee-ground-like buildup inside dog ears is one symptom of mites.
Get ready for a mite fight! Ear mites can easily spread between pets. Here’s what to do and know.
Ear mite symptoms in dogs
- “Coffee grounds” inside the ears
- Constant ear scratching
- Rubbing ears on floors or furniture
- Unusual head shaking
- Rashes or hair loss around ears
- Aural hematomas (swollen, blood-filled ear flaps)
- Ear sensitivity and pain
How to help prevent ear mite infestations
- Regularly check pet ears
- Separate infected pets
- Regularly wash toys and bedding
- If you spot symptoms, see the vet
How to know if your dog has ear mites
Ear mites happen more often to cats than to dogs, but they do happen. Itchiness, sensitivity, and greasy buildup could mean an ear mite infestation — or an ear infection. Both need a look from your veterinary team.
What’s that stuff in my dog’s ears?
That black or brown gunk inside your dog’s ears is often made up of skin flakes, dried blood, and dead ear mites (Otodectes cynotis). These pinhead-size arachnids crawl around deep inside your dog’s ear canal to eat earwax and skin debris.
Each tiny mite — almost impossible to spot with the naked eye — only lives for two to three months, but they can breed like crazy. Even small infestations can rapidly become a big problem.
Dog ear infections vs. ear mites
A dog ear mite infestation and a dog ear infection share a lot of the same symptoms. Dogs can even have both issues at the same time.
However, the antifungal and antibacterial medications used to treat ear infections in dogs are very different from the ones used to treat mites. Your best bet is to bring your pet in for an exam so we can try to figure out what’s up and prescribe effective treatment.
What are the symptoms of ear mites in dogs?
Fleas aren’t the only parasites that make dogs itch! Ear mites also seem to be unpleasantly irritating for your pet. Your dog may try to rub, shake, or scratch out ear mites.
Dogs may damage the delicate skin inside their ears from scratching. This can then lead to ear infections, bald spots, sores, and blood clots on their ears. If you spot these signs, your dog may have an ear issue that needs veterinary help.
How dogs catch ear mites
Ear mites spread easily from pet to pet through direct contact. So if one dog (or cat) in your home has ear mites, it won’t be long before your other dogs (or cats) get ear mites too.
Be prepared to check all the other pets in your household and to treat them all at the same time. If you can, keep infected pets separate from any uninfected pets until your veterinary team confirms the treatment is complete.
How to treat ear mites in dogs
If not treated, itchy ear mites can lead to irritation and scratching, which can then cause skin and ear infections and lead to bigger health issues.
Can you treat ear mites at home without a vet?
Many homemade “cures” just don’t work, and some can even be dangerous. No matter what the internet says, your best bet is to skip homemade solutions and see what your veterinary team recommends.
Many dog ear issues have similar symptoms and different causes. Your vet needs to look inside the ear to determine an appropriate course of treatment — certain medications can be painful and even cause permanent damage if your pet’s ear drum isn’t in good shape.
Treating the wrong thing isn’t going to help your pet. Since it may even make matters worse, please never put anything in your dog’s ear unless directed by your vet.
What can the vet do to treat ear mites?
When you come in with your pet, we’ll start by asking when you think symptoms started and if you have any other pets that might be at risk. Then we’ll perform a full physical exam and inspect your pup’s ears. (We may recommend a light sedative if the ears are too tender for us to safely touch.)
We use a special tool designed especially for ears called an otoscope to help us look inside the ear canal for damage, foreign objects, and to make sure the ear drum is intact. We’ll also take a sample of ear goop to examine under a microscope, just to make sure that mites aren’t the only problem brewing down there.
Once your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with mites, we typically recommend a two-step routine of safely cleaning the ear and then applying special mite-killing prescription meds. We’ll give you easy instructions and go over the process with you step by step.
Be sure to ask lots of questions and follow all instructions for your vet-approved cleaner and mite meds. Remember, don’t skip the cleaning step! Clean dog ears can help the medicine get where it needs to go.
Your pup will need a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to make sure their ears are on the road to recovery. If they’re still battling mites, we’ll figure out our next steps together.
Help prevent ear mites for dogs
It’s smart to make a habit of washing your dog’s toys and bedding, performing regular ear checks, and taking your pup in to see the vet if you spot any danger signs.Questions? Ask your veterinary team what we recommend!
Mentioned in this article
Does your dog have an ear infection?
Symptoms of ear infections in dogs.
Why is my pet so itchy?
Scratching can mean fleas, allergies, or infections.
All about fleas and pets
Yikes! Info for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.
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Log in to start chattingHow Banfield can help with ear care for cats and dogs
We take happy, healthy pet ears seriously! Our vets can help you find out what’s causing your pet’s ear issues, work with you on a treatment plan, and prescribe safe and effective medications to help treat your pet. We can even work with you to help prevent future problems.
We can work with you to help manage chronic ear infections. If you notice your pet is getting ear infection after ear infection, let’s discuss underlying causes, solutions, and possible prevention for your pet’s issues.
We can provide guidance for cleaning and medicating dog and cat ears. Infected ears can be tender, which may make it rough to treat them at home. Let us know if your pet absolutely refuses to cooperate — we’re here to help!
We can help identify and manage food or environmental allergies that can cause ear infections and skin itchiness and irritation. If you suspect an allergy is causing your pet to sneeze, wheeze, itch, or scratch, we’re here with professional guidance to help your pet.
Any other health concerns?
Just let us know. We’re here to help with loving veterinary care, including your pet’s adorable ears.
