When the dog or cat scratches his ear , shaking his head and his ears smell bad, he probably has ear mites . You can get rid of ear mites through some natural remedies.
>   1. What are ear mites

>   2.  Symptoms of ear mites

>   3. Dog ear mites: natural cures and remedies

>   4. Cat ear mites: natural cures and remedies

>   5. Natural advice

What are ear mites

Ear mites, or Otodectes cynotis , are microscopic parasites that can infect the ears of dogs, cats and other animals. They love to live in the warm, dark environment of the ear canal, where they feed on dead skin.

The mites cause irritation and itching , causing the animal to continually scratch its ears, scratching them. This causes various problems, such as skin infections or swelling in the auricle.

Their presence is most noticeable in the warm months, even if they are present throughout the year . The ear mite creates real colonies in the ears of animals (especially cats).

The most common species of the ear mite is Cynotis otodectes , which has the ability to spread at a rapid rate, transmitting itself with very short physical contacts with other animals. Unlike many (burrowing) mites, the ear mite lives only in the ear canal .

Symptoms of ear mites

It is important to stop the infestation right away and treat the problem as quickly as possible to avoid subsequent problems and to ensure a happy and healthy life for the animal.

It is good to check for excessive ear wax. Ear mites cause the lining of the ear canal to produce excessive amounts of earwax , which usually has a dark brown or black color similar to wet, sticky coffee powder that escapes the ear and sticks to the ear canal and inner side of the pavilion, between the cartilaginous folds and often looks like waxy dirt.

Parasites can be visible to the naked eye – it is enough to collect some of this material on a cotton swab and place it under a lamp. The heat stimulates the movement of the mites which appear as clear moving dots.

Transmission between animals occurs mainly by physical contact. The animal can scratch not only on the ears, but on the head in general and violently shake its head.

The canal appears reddish and inflamed. The intensity of scratching and shaking the head will indicate the more or less important presence of the mites. In the worst case, the ear canals start bleeding and fresh or dried blood becomes quite visible inside the ear canal (dried blood similar to coffee grounds). 

Also find out how to cure otitis in dogs and cats

Dog ear mites: natural cures and remedies

Since oily substances suffocate the mites , a natural remedy to defeat ear mites is the following: add 400 IU of vitamin E to 30 ml of almond oil or olive oil to eliminate itching and promote healing.

Enter this oil, just warmed at body temperature, into the auditory meatus 1 or 2 times a day, gently massaging the part immediately under the ear for about a minute. Allow the animal to shake itself, then carefully wipe off any leaking oil.

You should never put cotton swabs into the ear canal. Do this application for a week , then let the ear rest for 3 days to allow the repair process stimulated by the oil to take place.  

Then use a mother tincture (TM)  of Rumex crispus diluted in water: 9 drops in a tablespoon of water. Treat the ear once every 3 days for at least 6 weeks.

The treatment is so long because the mite eggs are very hardy and hatch periodically. Phasing out of adults reduces infestation to zero. Crepe Romice, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory, is a valid remedy for skin affections accompanied by itching.

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Cat ear mites: natural cures and remedies

The same remedies are also valid for the cat . An oily solution consisting of 30 ml of almond or olive oil and 400 IU of vitamin E to be introduced into the auditory meatus, just warming the oil to body temperature 1 or 2 times a day.

Continue the application for a week, then let the ear rest for 3 days, and proceed with the application of the mother tincture (TM) of Rumex crispus diluted in water: 9 drops in a tablespoon of water . Treat the ear once every 3 days for at least 6 weeks. 

Also discover the natural remedies for cat fleas

Natural Tips

It is very important to wash the animal’s head and tail with a specific shampoo because the mites, by survival instinct, tend to leave the ears to infest the head in its entirety and the parts of the body that come into contact with it, the tail. in particular as it is placed very close to the ears during sleep.

Make an infusion of Rumex crispus root and use it as a last rinse . It is also important to clean their kennel and surrounding areas to prevent re-infestation. 

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