Ear Cleaning & Ear Mite Treatment
A healthy ear cleaning program should begin with regular cleaning with cotton balls and cotton swabs. Remember that cats and dogs have an L shaped ear canal so you will not hurt the ear drum.
To clean your pet's ear, you can moisten the ear with green tea or use an acidic ear cleanser that does not contain alcohol. There are many natural herbal ear cleaners and wash on the market.
Place several drops of cleaner in the ears and thoroughly massage the base of the ear. You can use cotton balls or cotton swabs to remove all the debris and wax in the ear.
Since the ears are a nice warm environment, it is the perfect place for ear mites. Ear mites are so small that you can barely see them, although your pet can definitely feel them.
Ear mites cause itching and scratching which can result in sores, infections, and even hearing loss. When the body's natural defenses are weaker than they should be, the ear mites can come back even after treatment. Many medications are effective in ridding your pets of these nasty creatures, but there are gentle and natural ways to get rid of them and keep them from coming back.
Green tea is a natural antiseptic that helps remove the debris left from ear mites. Make sure you let the tea cool first and then apply to the ear as described above. Do this remedy once a day for a month.
A classic way to get rid of ear mites is to put 3-5 drops of oil in the ear canal after thoroughly cleaning your pet's ears. You can use mineral oil, olive oil, or almond oil. Avoid tea tree oil which is dangerous for cats. Oil will smother and starve the mites.
For extra strength you can soak a few crushed garlic cloves in the oil overnight. Garlic will help kill the bacteria that can lead to ear infections. You should do these oil treatments once a day for at least a month.
There are also several natural over-the-counter remedies that are effective in treating ear mites.
Once you have rid your pet's ear of ear mites you need to take measure to ensure they do not return. Echinacea strengthens the immune system and makes it harder for the mites to thrive in the ear. A high quality natural food will also boost the immune system.
Natural Ear Mite Remedies
by Danielle Breiholz
Danielle is site owner of Dog Care Central and "mom" to many rescued animals. |
