How to Clean Ear Mites
Cleaning ear mites from your pet's ear is a fairly simple and pain-free process. It can be accomplished using simple household tools and does not usually require a trip to the veterinarian’s office. It is important to rid your pet of these pests because infestation can lead to problems that are more serious for you and your pet.
- Confirm the presence of ear mites by a visual check. Your pet scratching at their ears or shaking their head may be the first clue to ear mites, but taking a look inside the ear should verify their presence. Fold back the ear gently and look for gray or black dots on the interior.
- Squeeze mineral oil into your pet's ear by using a baby nasal syringe or similar instrument. The mineral oil will dissolve the build up of puss and blood within the cat or dog's ear and suffocate any mites in the ear canal.
- Hold the ear closed and rub the outside between your thumb and forefinger to work the oil deeper in the ear. Do not force the oil into the ear with your nail or any other object. Do not touch the inner ear or eardrum.
- Use a cotton swab and remove any visible buildup from the inside of the ear, only rubbing the parts that are exposed and not the inner ear or eardrum.
If the ear mites come back or are not gone completely within a week, schedule a visit with your veterinarian to rule out any permanent damage caused by mites and to obtain a topical insecticide.