Ear mites are tiny infectious parasitic organisms that can be found in the ear canal or on the skin of an animal. They do not bite the animal like a flea or tick would but feed on ear wax and skin oils while the mites reproduce at a high rate. They cause intense itching for the animal, and skin diseases may also result from a bad ear mite infestation. Ear mites in dogs are very contagious, and all that is required for a dog to get mites from another animal is to come into close contact with them, even if only briefly.

Ear Mites in Cats

Ear mites are more common in cats than dogs, and they cause the same type of irritation. Ear mite symptoms in cats are going to be the same as dogs, and pet owners can look to see a dry black ear discharge that looks like coffee grounds as the usual indicator that a cat has ear mites. When there are multiple cats in a home, it is very easy to have them pass mites to each other, and if you see your cat scratching at its ears incessantly, this can also be a sign of ear mites in cats.

Ear Mite Treatment

Ear Mite Oil is an OTC product that you can buy without a prescription, and using it is the way most people will get rid of ear mites. The insecticide in these products will kill ear mites but may not kill incubating eggs, and ear mites reproduce prolifically during their approximately 2-month life cycle. It is recommended that pet owners apply any topical ear mite oil for at least 10 consecutive days to ensure the infection comes to an end. Milbemite (Milbemycin Oxime) and Tresaderm (Thiabendazole) are Rx products that may also be good for ear mites if an OTC is ineffective.

There is also the option of choosing an afoxolaner/milbemycin combo flea and tick medication that also eliminates ear mites, and Nexgard Spectra is an excellent choice there.