The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Carol (Zeigler, IL United States) on 09/02/2009
Ear Mites: I noticed yesterday that my indoor/outdoor cat was flicking his ear and holding his head down. When I looked, he had a lot of "crud" in there! I started checking the internet for home remedies and found this site with lots of different options that I had never heard of!! Like many, I can't afford a vet bill, but don't want my cat to be in distress. I am going to try the hand sanitizer first (I hope I don't have to try something else, but...) I put a couple drops on my finger and rub it in his ear as much as he would let me. Would it be ok to put a couple drops right into his ear? And how often a day and for how many days? I will definitely visit this site when other remedies are needed! It was very informative and helpful for remedies as well as things that are dangerous to my cat. Thanks for all the valuable info!!
Posted by Atomiconion (Montgomery, Alabama) on 08/26/2011
there is a mycoplasma going around that allows these mite to live on people and animals the remedie is because the mycoplasma feeds from frontal lobe and ammonia and some acids symptoms can be mites, aligator legs, pink spots, weight gain, fatigue, lesions, insomnia, malnutrition, depression, swollen glands, headaches, walking nemonia, nervous condition etc. The cure is a slice of onion on forhead for several weeks changing onion only when it is dryed up and not plyable hold it there with sweatband put napkin over it to avoid ridicule, if that the problem you will feel it working after as little as a week for comfort de earth in between legs. the mites go when this mycoplasma dies cure. same for pets. you may need buy dog hat for them to keep it on.
Posted by Serbella (Saint Louis, Missouri ) on 04/17/2009 ★★★★☆
Green Tea and Ear Mites:
My other kitten, Coyote, is about two and a half months old. Last night I noticed that he was moping around, so I picked him up and looked him over. The inside of his right ear was encrusted with the nastiest looking brown crap I have ever seen. I brewed a tea tag of green tea in a clean, empty baby food jar, took several cotton balls and carefully cleaned his ears out. I noticed that deep inside his ears was really cruddy looking, but I was afraid to probe down there with a Q tip, so I squeezed some green tea down there and allowed him to shake it out. I did both ears, but the right ear was worse.
I decided that if he didn't clear up we were going to the vet ASAP. The next morning I examined the little fella (had to pull him away from beating his mother up) and his left ear looked very clean. His left ear, which didn't get as much green tea, was now looking a little worse.
I warmed up the green tea I had left over from the night before and again carefully cleaned both ears out, treated the left ear just as equally as the right. I dripped green tea down inside both ears and waited while Coyote fussed and shook his ears out.
I've read that olive oil mixed with a little garlic works to kill the mites. I might try that. I also know that the ears need to be treated an entire month, because of the eggs. I have a bottle of that Mitricide but it states that it is not to be used on kittens younger than 12 weeks old. Coyote is ten weeks old. Might not make much of a difference, but I've had some bad experiences with meds that were vet prescribed, and I decided not to take the chance. There's a reason that caution was put on the bottle.
Black walnut hulls in the form of drops is effective on parasites, about 7 drops per day in a small glass of water for 3-4 weeks. I learned about this from a holographic health practitioner.
i have used both VCO and olive oil and garlic oil (from capsules - the smelly kind not the deodorized). i have pet rats and sometimes they will get ear mites. at first i tried putting VCO in their ears for several days and then also rubbing it all over their fur til it reaches their skin. while this seemed to work you have to do it again in a few days to make sure you get the new ones that hatch. i have also used olive oil for this and what i think worked the fastest was squeezing a garlic capsule in either VCO or EVOO and using the garlic flavored oil on their ears and around their ears. just don't get the garlic oil in their eyes! you must re-apply in 3 days and then in 3 more days to be sure. good luck!
Posted by eLissa (New Brunswick, NJ) on 01/21/2009
A friend of mine, an animal breeder, gave me a remedy for ear mites: gentian violet and rubbing alcohol, I don't remember the proportions. She recently died and I took one of her rescued, feral kittens. He had ear mites, and it looked as though my older, beloved Oscar kitty had gotten them from the kitten. I found the mixture, had a friend helping me and things got crazy; I ended up accidentally getting a whole dropperful of the stuff in Oscars ear. The next day he lost his voice, it was down to a rasp. I am killing myself with guilt. This was 4 days ago and his voice has gotten only a little better. He is otherwise fine, playing and purring, and the mites are gone from both cats, with a second, vastly smaller treatment 3 days later. Does anyone know about this? I'm really worried that I might have done more harm and don't feel I can afford the vet right now. Thanks, eLissa
pine tar soap also works very well on mites as well as fleas. lather it up very well and let it sit a few minutes. it will be necessary to do it a few days later. i would use this in addition to VCO or garlic oil.
Posted by Amazon Thyrteen (Fresno, CA, USA) on 11/09/2008
First of all I want to say "NEVER" try anything on your pets you won't try on yourself. I won't give anything to my pets that I wouldn't take myself. The best rule of thumb is use human grade (whatever)you're using on your pets! I've noticed a lot of comments on Diatomaceous Earth. I would like to say that the only grade that is good for animals is the same grade that humans use, Freshwater, food-grade DE. If it doesn't state on the package that it is certified, food grade then you don't want to give it to your pets, period! I also noticed that on this site someone mentioned the use of "Neem Oil" it is a really good oil to use that is 100% natural. If anyone is interested in finding out more about Neem Oil go to, www.organixsouth.com or call 1-888-989-Neem(6336). This oil is good for human use also for dry skin and scalp treatments. The one that I use is Thera Neem ,skin soothing 100% pure cold pressed. I'm one of their customers and have no affiliation with this company and I'm not getting anything for this endorsement, this is just great stuff!
Diatomaceous Earth is NOT glass. Saltwater derived DE has a high sillica content and is only used as a filitration catalyst. It is neither suitable for consumption nor useful as an insecticide. Food-grade DE has little or no crystalline sillica. I've used it on chickens, cats, dogs and for general insect control in many applications. It's non-toxic and has little impact on beneficial species outside of the applied area.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
ACV is great for the ears, but will sting ears that are sore from being scratched. Consider using garlic infused olive oil, or other remedies for ear mites first: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/ear_mites.html.
Posted by Stephani (Tallahassee, FL) on 09/25/2008 ★★★★★
to Delores in Hobe Sound - ear mites:
09/22/2008: Dolores from Hobe Sound, Florida writes: "What is the formula for ACV? My cat has eye problems and also ear mites. I use a commerical ear cleaner but they keep coming back. I hate putting her through the ear cleaning so often."
I have used NutriBiotic ear drops with tea tree oil & grapefruit seed oil in my dogs & cats ears. They had a lot of scratching and black gunk (i think that is from mites). Their ears are clear now. I got the drops at vitamin shoppe, but you can find them online too. Hope this helps.
While I have used Ivomec in the past to (succesfully) prevent heartworms in larger dogs, I have never attempted the ear mite remedy here described. Also, at this time I am the owner of a guinea pig sized "dog" whose tiny weight makes me apprehensive to attempt the application of Ivomec to protect his tiny self from heartworms. A chart would be GREATLY appreciated!
Posted by Carol (Castle Rock, Washington) on 03/21/2010
this is in response to Yea of 07-11-2008
They suggested Ivomec for ear mites.1/2cc per ear. I got a generic brand of the same thing at the feed store for $37.00. The brand name is almost 50.00. It did in fact all 4 of my dogs ear mites that did in fact spread really quickly. After using the Ivomec the next day I put 2 drops of mineral oil in each ear because mites deposit droppings that can cause other infections. The mineral oil helps to clean out the ear canal an keep it clean it also soothes the red ears that the mites caused in the first place.
Posted by Samantha (Sarasota, FL) on 04/19/2008 ★★★★★
Well yesterday my cats ear swelled up. She had been lying around for about 2-3 days. Kind of depressed. For a small time before that every so often she would scratch her ears. Im in my early 20's and this is my first cat. Though its like she had always been there. Anyway, so yesterday her left ear swelled up . I called a emergency vet because it happened to be later on the weekend. But I really couldn't afford a emergency vet visit. So I went to the store and I bought Hartz Guard w/ Aloe. But first I put a small amount of Hydrogen Peroxide in a dropper to clean out the ear wax (which the mites feed off of.) So I put the peroxide in her ears and massaged it and then used a cotton ball. The cotton ball thing is alot more difficult then it sounds!! After administering that I gave her some time because if anybody has ever had peroxide in their ears you know it starts crackling as it eats the ear wax. Then I put one drop of the Hartz on the outer part and 5 drops on the inner, because she is a runt and under 15 pounds. It tells you on the back how much based on their weight. But it is a pesticide so I advise against putting too much in the ear. Well that was last night so we went to bed and this morning she's not 100% but she's up running around holding her head up. She seems happy again. Now I know what I need to do and how frequently. Please don't be as ignorant as I was to let it get that bad. We all love our kitties or we wouldn't be here. I got the idea for the peroxide off of this site. Because it was so late I had to go to Wal-Mart and all they had was the Hartz and no cleaning solution I needed something so thanks!
Posted by Marisa (San Jose, USA) on 04/18/2008 ★★★★★
My cat was miserable and his ear stank. I put a pinch of diatomaceous earth (swimming pool filter grade)in each ear. He seemed to be a bit better in about 40 minutes. He has stopped shaking his head and seems less lethargic. We'll see if he needs something more,(if he has a bacterial infection. His ear smelled like feces. ewwwwww!
Posted by Marsha (Wichita Falls , TX) on 10/24/2008 ★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
FYI! I lost a beautiful German Shepherd and the sweetest kitty because they ingested pool grade diatomaceous earth. Keep it away from your beloved pets!
I appreciate the vet comments on 4/16. There are several items available like Revolution. Milbe-mite is one. I have one indoor/outdoor cat and 8 barn cats. Revolution, Advantage, and Milbe-mite range in price from $20+. I cannot afford these things. So I welcome affordable alternatives. Does any one have info about what to do about a kitten while treating the other cats?
Posted by Ken (Malinalco, Mexico Mexico) on 06/29/2011
I was alarmed and confounded to find that my 2 cats were infected with ear mites as I had faithfully been applying on each (on the nape of the neck as instructed), a dose of Revolution on a monthly basis for 2 years. What gives?
Posted by John Cole (Saipan) on 11/19/2015 4 posts ★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
Read the label on Revolution, for cats, about mites. Does it not say something like "for the treatment and control of ear mites"? Not cure, eradication, not resolution... Besides, do you want a systemic pesticide circulating through your kitty when there are no long-term studies on safety? (My guess is that long-term, it'll shorten your cat's life.)
I tried an old-school (maybe organophosphate type) ear-drop miticide on my cats. Not only did it not get rid of the mites, but it caused severe inflammation and open sores that took weeks to heal.
I would like to know if I can use this remedy on a bunny's ears? I know that their systems are very delicate and I do not want to threaten my rabbits health. Some things are better not used on rabbits. Thank you.
Posted by Margaret (Upper Darby, PA) on 08/24/2008
RE: Holding down a cat: An easy, friendly way to hold a cat so that you don't get shredded during care is to toss a quillt over their back, as they are unsuspecting, then wrap them up in your arms and hold them like a baby. you can hold them with one hand and give care with the other. Have all your supplies on a table beforehand, so you can easily grab them with your one hand. Eventually your cat will know that when you do this he/she does not need to be scared. My cat no longer needs to be wrapped up when I cut her nails. She growls quietly, but is never violent.
Posted by Andre (New York City, NY) on 02/01/2009 ★★★★★
Of course if you pour H2O2 - or acid vinegar, or any of many standard vet medicines in your pet'eyes when they are supposed to go into their ears - it *WILL* blind them !!!!
As I mentioned a couple years ago I used the Ted's Mange cure (slighlty modified) with success on my cat - and so far, there has been only one small resurgence last year, immediately snuffed.
For reference, again this is what I posted
09/29/2007: Andre from New York, USA writes: "I tried the oil based treatments, actually using coconut oil since I heard it has antiseptic properties, and hydrogen peroxide. This only slowed down the ear mites. After a couple of weeks of this, I started with a mix of Borax (20 Mule Team), hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and a little Dr Bronner soap. After just two days the mites are disappearing. To prevent my cat from lcking off his wet fur, that I allow to dry naturally as indicated, I got him a collar. See his picture on Fickr, tag: ear.mite.cure.for.cats, or go directly to the page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/1459080973/
Thanks a lot, Ted and everyone else here! nycandre
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Your dog may have fleas, that or you both have sarcopic mange. Ted's Mange Remedy can help with the sarcoptic mange, and you might consider a lamp flea trap to see if your house is harboring fleas as well.
CY Gabriel soap is very effective for most skin problems including scabies. We also treat the affected area with warm coconut oil. Dip a piece of cotton in the oil and swab on the affected are start from the outside boarders. We make our own coconut oil so I'm not sure if supermarket bought vco's will work the same.
Posted by Betsy (Litchfield, CT) on 01/05/2008 ★★★★★
I tried the peroxide-borax remedy: Day 1. Dear Ted, In desperation searching for Hartz Mt. ear mite medicine, the best over-the-counter for cats I've found, I went to 10 stores but there was a run on the stuff! I turned to the web,found your site and read about the ear mite control. Bought the stuff, mixed it up, bathed my poor old cat's ears which were hairless on the outside, bad looking with the bloody stuff inside. So far on Day 1, this treatment has brought Nicki instant relief. She has been sleeping with her ear up for some days now, unable to go into deep sleep mode due to the ear mites. Right now she's in a deep sleep, all curled up like normal. I found all ingredients quickly in my small town but could not find Hartz Mt. ear miticide in faraway larger town after 3 hr. of searching. Thank you! Will let you know as things progress but so far, Day One is going well.
Posted by Andre (New York, USA) on 09/29/2007 ★★★★★
I tried the oil based treatments, actually using coconut oil since I heard it has antiseptic properties, and hdrogen peroxide. This only slowed down the ear mites. After a couple of weeks of this, I started with a mix of Borax (20 Mule Team), hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and a little Dr Bronner soap. After just two days the mites are disappearing. To prevent my cat from lcking off his wet fur, that I allow to dry naturally as indicated, I got him a collar. See his picture on Fickr, tag: ear.mite.cure.for.cats, or go directly to the page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/1459080973/
Thanks a lot, Ted and everyone else here! nycandre
Posted by Debby (Elko, Nevada) on 09/15/2007 ★★★★★
Hi! I have two cats and my daughter has one. She didn't know her cat had ear mites when she moved into our home. Now I have to deal with all 3 of them having ear mites. I tried cat mite medicine from a store, plus the one called Adams. All it did was make my cats very sick and their ears heated up, and became irritated!! I was at my wits end when I thought I would look up about ear mites on-line. I was so happy to hear about your natural remedies!! I have been using vegetable oil,' for the past 3 days and it seems to be working!! If it doesn't clear them all the way up, I am going to try some of your other remedies. I like the vegetable oil, because it doesn't irritate their ears, and doesn't make them vomit. (the other remedies from the store made them vomit and run fevers.) They don't seem to be scratching as much with the vegetable oil either. It is a battle though putting it into two of the cats ears, as they don't like anything in their ears. Thank you so much for helping me deal with these pesky mites who seem never to leave!! Now maybe my cats and me can get some rest!! Thanks again. I will write more to let you know how they're doing. Thanks again!!
Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona USA) on 06/29/2007 ★★★★★
Hi, Nimueh back again. Still working with this situation. Since previous notes, have done three rounds with the vet, separated by 2-3 weeks, of: 1) fogging the house with a pyrethins-based fogger to stop mite cycle of mites scattered around the place. [Took all 6 cats out of the house for 3 hours each time; also plants; covered kitchen surfaces. Didn't mind the fogging too much as it dissipates afterwards quickly and left no discernible residue.]; 2) simultaneous to the house fogging, treated 3 cats with Acarex topical treatment in ears - these 3 were doing pretty well and do not have much symptoms, and 3 cats with my vet doing "off-label" transdermal shots of Iverectin (same stuff as Acarex - I think it's the same as Milbemite)as these 3 haven't yet shaken all the symptoms.sigh; 3) the first time, I also flea-shampooed the cats too. This has been quite costly and a hardship for me. (I am trying to set up another job to help us through this.)
In the last few days I am trying one more natural approach. Like I said, we may have tough mites here in the desert. My vet is trying hard to help us, but it's not gone yet. In the time between treatments, it gets almost all better, but then starts up again when the cycle starts over in about 2-3 weeks.
In the intervals between treatments, for relief, I have used: -- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - but prefer not to, because it's so drying on all our feet and the surfaces in the house; -- also flea shampoo in their ears - very toxic! done in desperation! - not perfectly effective either. --Now I thought of ENZYMES. I found a human shampoo and mousse formerly called "Not Nice To Lice"- totally natural, not harmful - from Walgreen's, then re-ordered online. Now it seems to be selling at the same website www.notnicetolice.com but with with the new name "Lice R Gone", plus Enzyme Cleaner with Peppermint that can be used as a pet shampoo. I have been putting my remaining Not Nice To Lice shampoo in their ears, first cleaning with Qtips with this solution, then squeezing a dipped cottonball in the ear and rubbing the ear base while attempting to keep it shut. (Yes, I'm covered with it from their shaking afterwards.) It's a very thin shampoo solution that doesn't leave much residue, and in the last few days I think it's helping. The 3 cats who need it most, their skin is not as irritated as with the poison flea shampoo (duh!), and in fact, all is healing up well, AND they aren't shaking and scratching. It is so much better for these 3, that tonight I used it also in the ears of the 3 who don't need it too badly, and now no one is scratching. It is peaceful. Aaaahhhhhh.
Enzymes digest anything and everything. Enzymes are how we digest our food and do any chemical function in the body. So I am picturing this solution dissolving the critters and their eggs. Thus, no matter what immunities the little mite-monsters have managed to develop, the enzymes have the potential to just dissolve these invaders regardless. Enzymes don't hurt the cats or me or my hands or feet, or the household surfaces. I am once again hopeful.
Though the Lice R Gone shampoo, 8 oz., is $22, and the Enzyme Cleaner - Peppermint, 32 oz., is $35 ( - there is a smaller one too), plus $8 shipping, if it works, this will be much cheaper than what I have been doing. I will keep you posted. I appreciate you all and Earth Clinic. Good luck.
Not sure why only ONE star, but you are correct - alcohol and the other ingredients are not suitable for sensitive ear tissue (as well cats have no metabolic system for many chemicals).
The ear (like the mouth area) is thin and all put into it is absorbed into the blood stream. (Pre vet and other areas in human health care).
Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona USA) on 04/23/2007 ★★★★★
Friends, I don't know why but the wet application of DE failed to help my 6 cats, even as much as the dry DE application. I am back to applying the DE, dry, on a cotton ball to ears - pressing a good amount into the ear, paws, tails' tips and privates, and anywhere else they are scratching. At least they have immediate relief, and it surely minimizes the mite excrement and ear wax that is in the ear. I will research getting the Milbemite from my vet. I will keep this DE up until I can arrange for the vet treatment, hopefully it will start to end this as it has been going on so long (3 months). I will let you know. Many thanks for all the sharing.
Mineral oil is a petrochemical product and has undesirable side effects. Instead a low percentage of hydrogen peroxide (less than 3%) and or warmed olive oil with garlic are usually helpful.
Neem oil is excellent for ear mites and needs only a few applications for the removal of mites.
Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona) on 03/28/2007 ★★★★★
After trying Revolution monthly, I am now trying it twice monthly as I read online somewhere. Still, with various cleaners from the vet and from online, my beloved cats are still shaking their heads and scratching.I have also been using DE powder whenever they display these symptoms. I grab a cotton ball and dip it in the DE powder and press it firmly into each ear, also to their paws front and back - just dust the top of the paw, to the tip of their tails - as the paws and tail tip contact the ears, and their private parts - just dust there with the DE-coated cotton ball. Plus any place else that they are scratching. These are places where the parasites, eggs and such may be, so the DE will just stop them from developing. DE microscopically is very sharp shards as well as very dehydrating, so it wipes out all kinds of parasites and pests, in the garden too, etc. However, I am tired of them having more problems with this coming up still day after day. I am glad that the DE gives them immediate relief. I will continue for a month, as one writer suggests here, though I may have already done that. DE is very drying, so wash your hands thoroughly as it will dry your nails; also floors, etc. Still I would do anything to have their suffering end. I will try Milbo-Mite, as the oil didn't work for me & wasn't manageable - oil everywhere! Thank you!
Hi. I read your posts and wanted to warn you and others to not ever use swimming pool grade DE for pets or people, especially if they can lick it and ingest it. I've heard of this killing some people's cats! (It has very toxic chemicals ). I appreciate your warning about the extra fine flour grade getting into the air and harming the lungs. I've read that one person's cat died from inhaling it. I see that you care and love your furry babies an awful lot, and it's refreshing to see someone trying so hard to make them comfortable. I hope you've found a remedy that at least works for a while. One trick to help keeps mites to a minimum on pet bedding, is to enclose cat beds in a zippered pillowcase, or two. That way you can easily just wash the pillowcases and changed them out fast without doing a ton of laundry (or put a folded up blanket or quilt inside the pillowcases). You can even use a big role of clear scotch tape to take the mites off and also some mineral oil to see if there are any on there with a magnifying glass. I hate ear mites!! Best of luck!
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