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 KashkaMama (Boston, MA) on 08/14/2007 ★★★★★
Wanted to say thanks for all the great advice here - I noticed one of my guys shaking his head at the beginning of last week and thought he'd gotten into a fight with his brother. When he was still doing it the next day, I looked and there they were. Looks like they have not been 'moved in' for too long, thankfully. After reading the comments here I decided to try using a mixture of about 80% Vitamin E oil (cutting open the gelcaps and squeezing the oil out) mixed with 20% Purell with aloe. I used cotton balls to wipe his ears out and then a clean one to 'drizzle' the mixture further down the canal. He was not happy at first but was not in pain at all. Afterwards, he glared at me for an hour but then came over to knock his face into my hand. It's a few days later now and while they have not gone completely (because of the breeding cycle, of course) his ears are much cleaner and when he sees me starting to make his 'mix' up he comes over to me and waits. Wanted to also remind everyone that the eggs can live on the fur around their ears so you want to pay attention to keeping that whole area cleaned, too.
Posted by Melinda (Tucson, Arizona) on 04/21/2010 ★★★★★
We recently adopted a heeler puppy, he is 3 1/2 years old, at first I thought he had a ear infection, I came to your site, and started reading up on things, come to find out, he had ear mites. First I tried the hand sanitizer-rubbing that and massaging it into his ears, he cried bad from that, I waited a bit, then put pure vitamin E oil in next, massaged his ears, and now he is doing WAY better. I think I will have to add the vitamin E oil at least 1 more time, but he is not crying, relaxed, playful, etc. now, thank you! I LOVE your site.
Posted by Ala (tucson, arizona) on 06/04/2007 ★★★★★
I first rid a cat of ear mites using a mixture of olive oil and vitamin e back in 2004, following the advice in the book natural remedies for cats. Yesterday I noticed my cat had signs of mites. I cleaned the ear of debris and massaged in olive oil. Today I bought vitamin e and the yellow dock and gave him a dose of olive oil and then the yellow dock (9 drops in 1 TBS of water). We'll see if this works, but I bet it will. I treated the nonaffected ear yesterday, but not today. My cat is a little wary of me messing with his ears, so I'm focusing my efforts on his bad ear at this point!
I have been using the natural olive oil and vitamin E treatment for my cats ear mites as suggested in several articles online. My question is, does the vitamine E oil damage my cat if ingested. He shakes it out and then it ends up all over his fur. I know it is not good for humans to take vitamin E pills if it is not needed because it builds up in the system. Thanks in advance for any answers!
Posted by Michelle (Montreal, Canada) on 03/15/2008
Hi, I have a holland lop with ear mites and i have been trying so many things. They work for a little while only. I would like to try the yellow dock root extract since I have heard about this from a few people here and elsehere. I went to my homeopath to get some and he asked me what strength cause apparently there are different ones. Can someone please tell me the strength they are using, Thank you
Posted by Mike (Charlotte, NC) on 04/15/2007 ★★★★★
after an extensive search i found milbemite for dogs. haven't had an opportunity to try it yet it but should have been spelled w/ an E instead of an O. good luck.
Posted by Andy (Pleasantville, New Jersey) on 01/29/2016
Hello, I'm a big supporter of the more naturalistic methods when it comes to any sort of health as a first resort. I want to give the mineral oil a go for my cats, I use it for my own ears every so often. But for pets, is there a certain brand or specifications I should look into for mineral oil? Your guidance is appreciated!
A lady here stated that she used hand sanitiser to get rid of ear mites in her cats' ears. She said it took "a few applications". My question is: how many applications did it take, and how long did you use this treatment? Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!
I HAVE A FEMALE PIT BULL AND SHE IS SUFFERING FROM WHAT i THINK TO EAR MITES i THINK THAT i WILL TRY HAND SANTIZER ON HER BECAUSE IT WORKED ON ME WITH POSION IVY AND OTHER PEOPLE S YUKY HANDS
My daughter just got her first puppy and we don't know much about it. He was recently trimmed at Petsmart and was advised that I purchase Earmite medicine. I would rather do home remedy after reading that hand sanitizer works better on cats. My question is will it work for our Shih tzu? Can I use it as a preventive to keep them from our baby ears?
I worry with hand sanitizer for ear mites because it has alcohol and won't that be extremely irritating and painful if the skin inside ear is broken or raw?
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.
Vickie - your instincts are spot on; alcohol on raw broken skin will sting! A less painful treatment would be garlic infused olive oil or neem oil until the skin is healed and then alcohol remedies could be used.
If you have itching with what looks like red streak that travels across the skin it could be larva migrans also. It's caused by hookworms that get under the skin and are trying to get into internal organs. You can take horse or cattle wormer paste orally (same dosage as large animals, just scale down for weight) and it will kill it. Buy online or at feed/pet store. Safeguard brand is good, inexpensive and safe for you, cats or dogs. It doesn't taste bad and has the same ingredients the MD would give you. If it comes back take it again. Actually, one tube will last you a long time, and you can use it to worm your animals a few times a year, which is always a good idea anyway. (Just don't give anything with ivermectin, or anything with "ectin" in name to cats or Collies.) If you are just itching all over, it could be bedbugs.
Hey,m ear mites is a zoonotic disease which means it can't be transferred from animal to human, so you might just be so sympathetic you're imaging your symptoms or maybe you have an ear infection. Either way I hope you feel better soon and I hope it's a load off that you know it can't be ear mites anymore.
Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona) on 03/28/2007 ★★★★★
Re: my earlier submission. I have found it to be vitally important that I use only regular grade DE, i.e., NOT a certain brand and kind that calls itself "flour grade" - very fine. The "very fine" was so fine that it got in the air, and I had to wash everything that I possibly could, linens, floors, tabletops, etc., over & over, because we were breathing it, and it wouldn't stay DOWN on surfaces. It was much more expensive than regular grade (about $20, 1 lb.)
I have used DE for years and never had that problem until I used this certain "flour grade" type. So, please do use DE, but please get a regular type such as at HomeDepot for swimming pools - about $15 for 25 lbs.(life time supply for our urpose here - Also can use along edge of garden to eliminate pests, etc.)
Today searching for that product that I mentioned but couldn't get a hold of, I found online that pyrethrins (from chrysanthemum flowers thus natural) can be used like I've been using DE. Local to Arizona, I found a place that sells DE with pyrethrins (about $20, 1 lb. bag). I got some and have been applying to the cats now with the cotton ball to ears, neck, paws, tail tip and privates. So far, I can see that they are scratching less. Hopefully, this will help them. The pyrethrins may actually kill all stages of the mites, and so I may have reached the end of this tough challenge. I will let you know.
Posted by NYCandre (New York, USA) on 05/13/2008 ★★★★★
Remedy for ear mites in cats: Borax and Peroxide -- YES! Just thinking in gratitude to Suzy whose reading got me started trying her remedy (and variations of, after many unsuccessful other attempts). My cat is now still mite free, though at times I have done a quick clean-up, especially when I see him scratch. From Suzy's post: (search for borax and hydrogen peroxide) "Thank goodness I made the association between ear mites in cats and mange in dogs and used Ted's wonderful mange cure. (My mixture was 2 parts apple cider vinegar, to 1 part hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part Borax; diluted in a gallon or so of water) And it worked like an absolute charm."
I run a canine hydrotherapy pool and have come into contact with thousands of dogs over many years.Every dog who has suffered ear mites i recommend Thornit Powder.I first discovered its miraculous powers when my dog Monty (SADLY NO LONGER ALIVE)had ear mites. I spent a fortune at the vets and still he woke me at night crying and scratching at his ear.I had previously heard of Thornit powder from a client and out of desperation, i tryed it. A tiny amount placed in the ear for 5 days and hey presto no more ear mites.It works like magic. Monty gained relief from the 1st application and when asked if he wanted Thornit would lie down of his own free will. Dogs are so clever at knowing what heals them. I have recommended this wonderful cure to hundreds of clients, who like myself, had wasted their money at the vets, and everyone has found blessed relief. Thornit also works for wet eczema,itching of the body and one of my clients even cured her rabbits mange. I don't know if this product is available in u.s.a.if your pet shop does not stock it, i may be able to help. I thank God for this ancient and miraculous cure.
You say two Parts Apple Cider Vinegar, one part peroxide, one part borax mixed in a Gallon of water, but what size part are you using, 1/2 cup 1/4 cup or just tablespoons? I don't know what measurement to start with
Posted by Deb (New Orleans, LA) on 02/27/2007 ★★★★★
I managed a veterinary hospital for 6 years. The only truly effective and safe method of ridding your pet of mites is "Milbo-Mite". It is a one time treatment and they don't come back. All my cats are free of mites... dogs too! Don't balk at the price. If you think of all the money you waste on things that don't work and the discomfort it causes your pet, it's worth it's price and then some!
I have 12 cats, and ear mites. Some of my cats groom each other and I don't want to use anything not safe. What can I do that is safe and afforable, my husband is the only income.
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.
You might make up a small batch of Ted's Mange remedy and use that to flush our your cats ears. Make sure you warm the solution up before using. If you can hold your cat in place with an ear filled with solution so much the better, but chances are they will not tolerate it and just shake their ears to get the wetness out. Enough of the solution may remain to be effective. It is cheap and cannot hurt and can be very effective if you can get the solution in the ears. I might treat 4x day with the solution in the ears, and may be 4 days in a row - and then go to every 2 days IF you see results, and then to every 3 days. You may find you have to treat long term - every 3 days for 30 days- to eliminate the mites.
Posted by Meg (Coromandel, New Zealand) on 02/25/2007 ★★★★★
hi. I tried garlic olive oil on my puppy as I used it on myself for ear infection and thought it was worth a try when I got a pup with bad earmites and it just made it worse so I took him to vet who told me never, ever to put anything into dogs ears as they have deep ear canels and it has no way to come out again and can cause major problems for dogs. he said all medical dog remedies are alcohol based so that they evaporate over time - anything else will cause problems for dogs so if you want to try something at home perhaps use a light alcohol base? I am currently attempting olive oil and garlic on my 3 cats who all have earmites, one of them has them really badly - I have also tried resolution out of desperation and it did seem to work for about a week, but they are back (if ever gone) and the cat that has the bad problem had a reaction to the resolution and is constantly itching all over now. I will get in some apple cider vin. to try for him.
Have little faith in vets and I try to find things that work and have some luck - manuka honey is really good as antibiotic internally and externally for animals and they like it. Chamomile teabag soak for any eye problems. These are 2 tried and trusted ones for me.
Hello everyone, just as nasty as those mites are, they are kinda like what lice would be to humans.... So make sure you WASH their bedding or spray where they mainly lay... to kill the bugs in the surrounding area. oh, and does anyone recommend peroxide to wipe the ear clean...than re-apply medicine... or whatever home remedy you choose that works best for you... I'm trying colloidal silver... I let you know how it works for her..
Posted by Theresa (Kailua, HI) on 02/20/2007 ★★★★★
I loved reading everybodies remedies for ear mites in cats. We have been fighting ear mites in our kitten. The vet cleaned out the ears and said that Revolution would take care of it. It didn't. The next time the vet used a small amount of Frontline on a Q-tip to clean out the ears and reapplied Revolution. The ears still appear to have mites. They have the black crud build up. We are trying the olive oil and garlic, but different then one we read. In home remedies for humans too strong of garlic can cause blistering on the ear drum. Therefore with this in mind I warmed a couple of slivers of fresh garlic in olive oil then removed the garlic. Then using a q-tip dipped in the oil mixture I am cleaning out the ear. I understand this will not be aggressive enough should it be in the inner ear but am hopeful with the outer. I have also reapplied the revolution.
Well I first started with the suggestion of using drops of Vegetable oil to loosen up the infection in my cats ears. Massaged it in, let her shake, then used cotton swabs and balls to clean the ear. After that I proceeded with rubbing the vaseline in her ear with my finger and not really down into the upper canal. I let her be and now her ears hurt even more and she's really groggy and miserable. I don't know where I went wrong, if she has an allergy to any of the products, or something else. Her ears are really really pink and she's just now in alot of pain. Should I wait it out or bring her to the vet immediately? I've never seen her more miserable in my life, it really saddens me... I need help!
Posted by Rosie7 (Seattle, Washington) on 02/07/2010
Take your pet to the vet! Really, if your child were sick or crying with an ear infection would you be sitting here debating on online forum whether or not to go to the doctor? Honestly, I cannot believe the responses on this board. As a temporary measure to ease the pain and swelling, pick up a some ear drops (i.e. anything with vegetable glycerine, mullein, or plantain) until your vet's office opens and then GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR VET!!! Many veterinarians use homeopathic and herbal remedies as a complement to their year's of study, expertise and knowledge and scientifically founded treatments. You people are not qualified to gamble with your pet's health and wellbeing.
In reply to Ruthann - regarding "rushing" to a vet. Ear mites can eventually kill your pet. At some point - "the body does not lie" one does need to see a professional.
Posted by Jillyan (Cleveland, OH) on 09/27/2006 ★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
I have for years used tea tree oil as a cure-all for skin ailments as well as wounds. I foolishly thought that tea tree oil would be a good preparation for my cat's ears that were scratched raw from ear mites. It seemed to help the skin, BUT I found out a few days ago (check any website!) that tea tree oil, which contains phenols (as does its neighbor, turpentine!) is very toxic to cats because they do not possess the enzymes to metabolize it, so it is stored in the liver, and can cause irreparable damage over time. I was SO shocked by this, I thought all cat guardians fond of "organic" and "natural" remedies should be made aware of the toxicity to cats of tea tree oil. Great for humans, DEADLY for cats! Thanks & best wishes.
I have a cat that will not allow me to put any kind of liquid into his ears. Even if somebody holds him down for me, he's too strong and goes nuts when the liquid hits his ears. I've found the best way is to rub vaseline inside his ears while petting him. He doesn't seem to notice, and even when he does, he doesn't mind too much. It seems to work almost instantly suffocating the mites. After one application, he stops scratching, but I do it each day for a week until I'm sure they're gone.
Wow, that's a great idea; since Vaseline IS essentially mineral oil, only in a jelly form and thus would seem to stay in better than a liquid oil. I wonder why I have not heard this before? The only thing is that an oil would probably go down into the canal -where the mites hide- better. Once they get way down in the inner ear, they are impossible to treat. I have tried Acarexx, yellowdock, mineral oil and none are working. Strangely, my oldest cat, who is isolated in one room by himself, has the worst case. He has no contact with other cats or the outdoors, so clearly he got it from me (my clothing or hands-- yuck!!). He has renal disease and is not reacting well to the Acarexx- will not eat and balance is way off (likely from the mites being pushed deeper into the ear). If no improvement tomorrow, I will have to take him to the vet. I am on my way to the store for tuna and/or chicken in the hopes that he will eat that. Anyone else have a cat who reacts this way to Acarexx?? All my other cats are fine and ears seem to be improving.
My cat definetly has the sour smell in his ears that you are talking about. I thought it was ear mites but apparently I was wrong. What should I do about this?
Just wanted to add a bit of input and ask a question about How one uses yogurt for an ear malady. BTW...I am the one who is in great need of advice, thus posted the question on cat/ear conditions.
My Input:
The yogurt must be plain because the yeast will feed on the sugar in yogurt containing added ingredients such as fruit.
Question:
Can you tell me the details of using yogurt in my cat's ear as what she has seems resitant to anything AND more importantly, though not lifethreatening, she is old and it is making her very uncomfortable. Yogurt sounds like something to try.
i have been told by a vet in new jersey to use baby oil in my cats ears. it drowns the ear mites. i didn't have baby oil in my home so i used cooking oil. and it has worked.
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.
My cats have ear mites, they got it from one cat that was shipped to me. The poor guy was treated only once, so it spread. I have used Tresderm from the vet, but that gets expensive. I have heard about reg. Vegetable oil, I have a syringe. I have 6 cats and seems only 5 have been bothered by the mites. I just want to give them some relief.....does everyone think the BG oil will work, breeder also told me to use it as well, would like feel s'ok please.
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.
What is "reg. Vegetable" oil and what is "BG" oil? I tried to look at the original post and did not see anything about these two oils. Also what does "s'ok" mean?
I did read through your post and can only advise that if you are using Tresderm - and antibiotic - on ear mites - a parasite - that you will spend a lot of money NOT curing them of parasites.
EC has many good home remedies to try, so I can only advise that you treat ALL cats at the same time, even if they appear not to be infected by ear mites.
I need to know more about the folk remedy for ear mites with green tea. The recipe is very vague. How do make the oil? Is the oil with green tea or alone ? What oil? Please send an urgent reply I´m getting so worried. The vet´s remedies were horrific and caused more discomfort than the mites I have been cleaning the ears with chamomile and eufrasia tea and then putting in 6 drops of almond oil but yesterday the ears were much worse after treatment and were scratched so badly they were all inflamed and stayed itchy for hours.
If you first use green tea to flush and wash out the ears, then follow with drops of olive oil w/garlic (I put minced garlic in a small dropper bottle and then fill it with olive oil and shake). Do this daily and it will cure the ear mites in cats and dogs.
I have found that putting a pinch of food-grade diatomaceous earth into the dog or cat's ear kills the mites. I do it daily for about a month since that is how long the mites can take to hatch. Within a few days though the animal has absolutely no symptoms of mites and it is completely safe for pets of all ages and sizes. It is also a great way to get rid of mites on birds and to rid a pet of internal parasites.
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