Ear Mite Remedies

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Andre (New York, USA) on 09/29/2007
★★★★★

I tried the oil based treatments, actually using coconut oil since I heard it has antiseptic properties, and hdrogen peroxide. This only slowed down the ear mites. After a couple of weeks of this, I started with a mix of Borax (20 Mule Team), hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and a little Dr Bronner soap. After just two days the mites are disappearing. To prevent my cat from lcking off his wet fur, that I allow to dry naturally as indicated, I got him a collar. See his picture on Fickr, tag: ear.mite.cure.for.cats, or go directly to the page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/1459080973/

Thanks a lot, Ted and everyone else here! nycandre

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona USA) on 06/29/2007
★★★★★

Hi, Nimueh back again. Still working with this situation. Since previous notes, have done three rounds with the vet, separated by 2-3 weeks, of: 1) fogging the house with a pyrethins-based fogger to stop mite cycle of mites scattered around the place. [Took all 6 cats out of the house for 3 hours each time; also plants; covered kitchen surfaces. Didn't mind the fogging too much as it dissipates afterwards quickly and left no discernible residue.]; 2) simultaneous to the house fogging, treated 3 cats with Acarex topical treatment in ears - these 3 were doing pretty well and do not have much symptoms, and 3 cats with my vet doing "off-label" transdermal shots of Iverectin (same stuff as Acarex - I think it's the same as Milbemite)as these 3 haven't yet shaken all the symptoms.sigh; 3) the first time, I also flea-shampooed the cats too. This has been quite costly and a hardship for me. (I am trying to set up another job to help us through this.)

In the last few days I am trying one more natural approach. Like I said, we may have tough mites here in the desert. My vet is trying hard to help us, but it's not gone yet. In the time between treatments, it gets almost all better, but then starts up again when the cycle starts over in about 2-3 weeks.

In the intervals between treatments, for relief, I have used: -- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - but prefer not to, because it's so drying on all our feet and the surfaces in the house; -- also flea shampoo in their ears - very toxic! done in desperation! - not perfectly effective either. --Now I thought of ENZYMES. I found a human shampoo and mousse formerly called "Not Nice To Lice"- totally natural, not harmful - from Walgreen's, then re-ordered online. Now it seems to be selling at the same website www.notnicetolice.com but with with the new name "Lice R Gone", plus Enzyme Cleaner with Peppermint that can be used as a pet shampoo. I have been putting my remaining Not Nice To Lice shampoo in their ears, first cleaning with Qtips with this solution, then squeezing a dipped cottonball in the ear and rubbing the ear base while attempting to keep it shut. (Yes, I'm covered with it from their shaking afterwards.) It's a very thin shampoo solution that doesn't leave much residue, and in the last few days I think it's helping. The 3 cats who need it most, their skin is not as irritated as with the poison flea shampoo (duh!), and in fact, all is healing up well, AND they aren't shaking and scratching. It is so much better for these 3, that tonight I used it also in the ears of the 3 who don't need it too badly, and now no one is scratching. It is peaceful. Aaaahhhhhh.

Enzymes digest anything and everything. Enzymes are how we digest our food and do any chemical function in the body. So I am picturing this solution dissolving the critters and their eggs. Thus, no matter what immunities the little mite-monsters have managed to develop, the enzymes have the potential to just dissolve these invaders regardless. Enzymes don't hurt the cats or me or my hands or feet, or the household surfaces. I am once again hopeful.

Though the Lice R Gone shampoo, 8 oz., is $22, and the Enzyme Cleaner - Peppermint, 32 oz., is $35 ( - there is a smaller one too), plus $8 shipping, if it works, this will be much cheaper than what I have been doing. I will keep you posted. I appreciate you all and Earth Clinic. Good luck.

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Sazure (Us) on 08/05/2018

Not sure why only ONE star, but you are correct - alcohol and the other ingredients are not suitable for sensitive ear tissue (as well cats have no metabolic system for many chemicals).

The ear (like the mouth area) is thin and all put into it is absorbed into the blood stream. (Pre vet and other areas in human health care).

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona USA) on 04/23/2007
★★★★★

Friends, I don't know why but the wet application of DE failed to help my 6 cats, even as much as the dry DE application. I am back to applying the DE, dry, on a cotton ball to ears - pressing a good amount into the ear, paws, tails' tips and privates, and anywhere else they are scratching. At least they have immediate relief, and it surely minimizes the mite excrement and ear wax that is in the ear. I will research getting the Milbemite from my vet. I will keep this DE up until I can arrange for the vet treatment, hopefully it will start to end this as it has been going on so long (3 months). I will let you know. Many thanks for all the sharing.

Mineral Oil

Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 01/29/2016

Andy, Pleasantville, (New Jersey)

Mineral oil is a petrochemical product and has undesirable side effects. Instead a low percentage of hydrogen peroxide (less than 3%) and or warmed olive oil with garlic are usually helpful.

Neem oil is excellent for ear mites and needs only a few applications for the removal of mites.

Namaste, Om

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Czgator (Florida) on 05/10/2016

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.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Nimueh (Phoenix, Arizona) on 03/28/2007
★★★★★

After trying Revolution monthly, I am now trying it twice monthly as I read online somewhere. Still, with various cleaners from the vet and from online, my beloved cats are still shaking their heads and scratching.I have also been using DE powder whenever they display these symptoms. I grab a cotton ball and dip it in the DE powder and press it firmly into each ear, also to their paws front and back - just dust the top of the paw, to the tip of their tails - as the paws and tail tip contact the ears, and their private parts - just dust there with the DE-coated cotton ball. Plus any place else that they are scratching. These are places where the parasites, eggs and such may be, so the DE will just stop them from developing. DE microscopically is very sharp shards as well as very dehydrating, so it wipes out all kinds of parasites and pests, in the garden too, etc. However, I am tired of them having more problems with this coming up still day after day. I am glad that the DE gives them immediate relief. I will continue for a month, as one writer suggests here, though I may have already done that. DE is very drying, so wash your hands thoroughly as it will dry your nails; also floors, etc. Still I would do anything to have their suffering end. I will try Milbo-Mite, as the oil didn't work for me & wasn't manageable - oil everywhere! Thank you!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Tc (Auburn, Ca) on 07/23/2017

Hi. I read your posts and wanted to warn you and others to not ever use swimming pool grade DE for pets or people, especially if they can lick it and ingest it. I've heard of this killing some people's cats! (It has very toxic chemicals ). I appreciate your warning about the extra fine flour grade getting into the air and harming the lungs. I've read that one person's cat died from inhaling it. I see that you care and love your furry babies an awful lot, and it's refreshing to see someone trying so hard to make them comfortable. I hope you've found a remedy that at least works for a while. One trick to help keeps mites to a minimum on pet bedding, is to enclose cat beds in a zippered pillowcase, or two. That way you can easily just wash the pillowcases and changed them out fast without doing a ton of laundry (or put a folded up blanket or quilt inside the pillowcases). You can even use a big role of clear scotch tape to take the mites off and also some mineral oil to see if there are any on there with a magnifying glass. I hate ear mites!! Best of luck!

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Suzy (St. Paul, Minnesota) on 03/16/2007
★★★★★

I really appreciate all the great advice I've gathered from reading your site. But, if I had used the remedies that are recommended specifically for ear mites, I would have severely annoyed my cat and myself and she would still be scratching. 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. Bathing a cat is never fun, but the next day her incessant scratching had stopped and has not returned. What a wonderful gift this man has given to animal lovers and caretakers around the world! Thank you so much Ted, for sharing and proliferating your extremely useful knowledge in the way that you have. And I'm sure there are millions of small four-legged creatures who no longer have itchy and infectious skin that are singing your praises as well. Thanks again.

Medications

Posted by Tc (California) on 10/04/2017

I would caution against using Milbo-mite in certain cats, especially if they are older, sick, sensitive etc. I just read where a woman gave it to her cats and the one who was 14 ended up having to be put to sleep because of it. After using it in her ears, she became lethargic and slowly started going downhill. I think it's a neurotoxin and harmed the cats nervous system. Her other 2 cats who were younger were ok. The 14 year old was perfectly healthy..eating, playing right before the Milbo- mite. Certain cats can be pretty sensitive. Also, don't use the "natural " Pyretherins made from the chrysanthemumflower, they are supposedly ok for dogs, but toxic to kitties.

Garlic in Olive Oil

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.

Garlic in Olive Oil

Posted by Lisa (Everett, WA) on 02/07/2007
★★★★★

We took in a kitten or rather young cat that was hanging out in our back yard. We bought a tag that said "Please call Lisa @ 555-5555 if this is your cat. She was really tame and we started letting her stay in our home longer and longer until she no longer sat by the back door wanting to get out. After two weeks we brought her to the vets for a check-up because there were other rather wild cats hanging around. We figured what they were hanging around for, but she really wasn't our cat, but then we said, to heck with it and took her in for shots and a check-up. The Vet reported that she was pregnant and had ear mites, but that he couldn't treat them without risking harm to the kittens. So we've spent the past month watching her struggle with ear mites. If only we looked at your natural remedies earlier we could have at least soother her discomfort with your recommended treatments. We will never neglect our pets again or wait for the local Vets to answer all of our concerns. Thank you so much

Vaseline

Posted by Ruthann (Butternut, Wisconsin) on 10/17/2011

Lady I don't know what you are talking about I have 14 cats Yes 14 used to be 10 until I found four abandoned little kittens that were loaded with mites so thick it was so hard it was like little rocks in there and when I put vegtable oil in there and loosened it they shook there heads and it sounded like gravel hitting the counter I had them on..... Now for the last 2 days with the vegetable oil its not as itchy and there a lot more relieved with there ears. If your the kind that run to the doctor every time your kid is sick you or your husband must have HUGE BILLS!!!! You try home remedies first they do work if you know what you are doing!!!

Mineral Oil

Posted by Sharon (Vancouver, BC) on 09/17/2006
★★★★★

I have been using mineral oil for years.. unless you think there is an infection this works very well..if an infection is suspected you might need the vet for something to heal deep inside.. I like the idea of first cleaning it out with green tea, too bad I had not looked this up first before Itreated the cat.. I might try that tomorrow morning.. thanks for this site.

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Beth (Austin Texas) on 03/30/2017 2 posts

I've been using Ted's solution on my cat's ears ...very much improved. Warning note for others: my grey fluffy cat's hair around the infected ear is turning a pale shade of orange from the peroxide.

Which leads to my question. While I haven't bathed her in the borax/peroxide/water solution yet, I'm still planning on it. She is very fluffy, looks like she might have Norwegian Forest Cat in her. My plan is to fill a mop bucket with the solution, then put her in the bucket and literally soak her. Trying to get it to the skin and then have it dry is going to be a challenge because of the under-floof in her coat. And liquid tends to run off. I figured I would then put her in a cat carrier for an hour to give the skin a chance to absorb the solution before she could dry herself. Does this sound like a reasonable plan to anyone else? Would appreciate any input anyone else has.

THANKS!!!!

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 03/30/2017

Hey Beth!

You will need to bathe your cat in a mild shampoo to break up the oil barrier in her coat - once you do that she can be rinsed and then dipped in the mange remedy. You might also consider following up with a good dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth; I will put some in a pillow case, put the cat in the bag with the head out, and then manipulate the dust in the bag to penetrate the fur. Some folks use DE in the ear for mites so you might consider that also, however IMO the liquid remedy is more effective at penetrating all areas of the ear. Do keep in mind that treatment [bathing/dusting, treating both ears, treating all animals in the house, daily washing of bedding] needs to be continued for 3 weeks to eradicate the mites.

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Barbie Koopa (Alabama) on 06/19/2020

I know this article is from some years ago, but just in case someone like myself click here looking for some advice on a cat issue & thanks bathing their animal in peroxide would be a good idea, STOP! Aside from using hydrogen peroxide from helping a dog induce vomit, it is never safe for your animals. And cats are especially sensitive to it it can cause bleeding of the stomach or at the least irritation and is known to be FATAL! Do not use witch-hazel or alcohol either. I'm not going to make any suggestions, but I would probably go with something from the vet or at least go to an affordable site like chewys.com. They have a variety of baths for cats and dogs, you can find something safe for a bath instead of home remedies for the situation. I'm all for home remedies but just make you do your homework thoroughly first. Our animals rely totally upon us and it's our job to make sure they're safe in everyway.

EC: Hi Barbie, the poster is referring to Ted's Mange Cure, a combination of borax and peroxide highly diluted in water. It has been tested on thousands of dogs and cats worldwide since 2004 when it was first posted on this site. It is indeed a safe remedy.

Ted's Mange Cure

Posted by Beth (Austin, Texas) on 03/21/2017 2 posts
★★★★★

Hi everyone!!! I am very very very grateful for all of you, your comments, and this site. @nycandre, thank you for all the details and the follow-up on your beautiful cat, Ted, thank you for being so gracious to share and share again.

I noticed my beloved fur ball Violet had gunk around her one ear. Not really scratching at it, but also recalling last year when this happened it was ear mites, which I took her to the vet for. We did that gel, plus Revolution. Right now a $200+ vet bill is out of the question. So I googled. And y'all came up. And I started reading ... and cleaning her ear .. and reading.

I started with colloidal silver in the ear, and internally. Kept reading. Saw the olive oil/garlic. My husband is a naturopathic GP ... so we have lots of remedies around the house. Grabbed the ear drops that had the olive oil and garlic, plus something else. At this point her ear starts to look worse. She's scratching more, and the exterior in front of the ear is looking really irritated. So I keep reading, and reading, and reading. Ted's formula keeps coming up. I had to get to the store to get Borax, but I had peroxide at home. So I started cleaning her ear with straight 3% peroxide. As a rule, I don't like peroxide on an animal's ears. It's very very drying to tender skin. BUT ... I needed to get something going better. I used cotton pads (Shiseido, expensive but worth it. They don't shed, they're strong, and they are SUPER soft.) soaked but not dripping, then q-tips. It hurt. Her ear was bright red and I thought I did some real damage. I left her alone for the night and checked her the next day. Blood crusts, her ear was loaded with them. Which told me something in the right direction was happening. I bathed her using Dawn, paying attention to butt and feet. She has long hair - we think Norwegian Forest cat- so you have to work thoroughly to make sure it gets to the skin.

I got the borax, and read more. I needed to know if I could use it directly in the ear. Yay Ted!! YES I COULD. I mixed up a 1/2 batch, storing it in a glass jar in a drawer. For the last 3 nights I've soaked cotton pads and worked them inside her ear to loosen everything, then used q-tips. Violet has a "pocket" in her ear that was holding a lot of crust. The first night she wouldn't let me get anywhere near this pocket. The next night I started on the pocket with a q-tip before cleaning the ear with the pads. Success!!! She was in less pain, so I had more time to work with it. I pulled out a lot of crust. After cleaning it as thoroughly as I could, I took a dropper and put in 3 or 4 drops in the ear directly -- 2 into that pocket -- and massaged the ear then let her shake. Last night, very little crust, pocket still pretty clean. We're in the right direction.

My husband is going to fashion me a "cone of shame" so we can make sure she stays wet long enough for the solution to dry into the skin (which is what Revolution does). Then the dog will get done. I plan on keeping this up for at least a month, and treating the carpet.

I just noticed behind the ear she had matted hair "dred locks" and she's scratching behind that ear .. so it's going to be a Ted bath tonight. At least I know this is the right direction. If it happens again .. and it probably will .. I will go straight for Ted's solution. I don't think the oil etc did what was needed. So thank you one and all for all of your comments!!! Your comments gave me the direction I needed to go in!!!

Mineral Oil

Posted by Roxanne (Arkansas) on 02/24/2016

I've been dealing with cat's ear mites for months...now going to try mineral oil. But I have question & concern & can't find any information on my cat's issue. He has daily discharge of mites' gunk in his eyes every morning...just like in his ears. Has anyone experienced this problem with cat's eyes? It's definitely the mites coffee ground/dark discharge coming from my cat's eyes. Any advice and/or similar experience with would be appreciated. Thanks! Roxanne

Mineral Oil

Posted by Cleo14 (Wisconsin, US) on 12/11/2014

My poor baby girl 3 month old kitten has ear mites. I am using mineral oil to treat her ears and so far so good. Just after a day of use I can see down her ears, But what kind of natural shampoo can I use/make to make sure they do not spread to other parts of her body?

Mineral Oil

Posted by Isaak (Ontario, Canada) on 05/28/2015

Hello! I have been trying for sometime now to help cure my dog of an ear problem, at first I thought it was like a yeast infection because of the smell and I treated her for that. Then she started itching like crazy and decided that ear mites were the problem. I read up on all the things the vet said to and tried the drops prescribed but they didn't work. I read about mineral oil here. Can you tell me how many times a day do I have to apply it on my dog?

Mineral Oil

Posted by Kathryn (Tennessee) on 07/31/2016

I read where you used 'flower of Sulphur, mixed with Linseed oil'. Did you use this on the skin/fur only? or can it be used on EAR MITES IN DOGS? I have tried everything and nothing works for long. Would love a reply back asap, thanks. Kathryn

Seizures

Posted by Johanna (Oklahoma, US) on 11/22/2014

My 10 year old half boxer, half jack russel recently started having these "spells." This is the order and characteristics of each one.

1. Panting

2. Stumbling

3. Mild head jerking

4. Confusion

After each one of these 30-minute events, she would go the kitchen and clean out any left over dog or cat food. Then she would appear fine. Vet visits showed she was in good health...with her thyroid a bit low. We tried prozac, thinking it might be anxiety attacks, with no relief so we weaned her off. We started her on thyroid meds and her general overall well being improved, but the attacks came regularly throughout the day. I gave her 12.5 benedryl and it helped...but it kept her sleepy, and she was getting weaker. I was at my wits end!!! It looked like I was going to have to put my sweet Tuffie down. I noted one day, she was occasionally shaking her head...not often, but I did notice it. It occurred to me she could have ear mites.

I treated her for ear mites and she literally stopped the attacks overnight! Am I crazy? Have you all heard of such a thing?

Seizures

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 11/24/2014

Hey Johann!

What you describe sounds *exactly* like seizures. It is possible there are mites as well, but some seizures show up as head shaking.

Is there a reason your vet has not prescribed seizure meds? I understand that some folks would like to avoid any kind of drug, but you do have a senior with creeping up on high miles; a seizure medication from the vet may quite improve his quality of life.

As you saw, after a seizure your dog is very hungry; some sugar will help after a seizure - either sugar water, honey water, corn syrup or vanilla ice cream in a pinch.

In my limited experience, seizures that crop up in an older animal tend to just get worse. If this were my dog I would see the vet and discuss medications - and take a look/see for ear mites. I would also look at the environment to check for contaminants, and avoid feeding any food that contains rosemary, along with any type of food dye, or grains.

If seeing the vet is out of the question at this time and you find 'coffee grounds' in your dog's ears, then check out EC's remedies for ear mites:

https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/ear_mites.html

Seizures

Posted by Debbie (Portslade, Uk) on 11/25/2014

If a good remedy for ear mites is needed

Thornit ear powder is really good and has been around for many years.

Yellow Dock

Posted by Bill (Aurora, Colorado) on 09/04/2014

I am very sure my cats have ear mites; one seems to be worse then the others and has them on his body as well. I purchased the yellow dock root extract. Can I use this on his skin too? Please let me know, thanks.

Yellow Dock

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 09/05/2014

Hey Bill!

You can use the mixture for the ears on the skin, however if your cats lick it there could be complications if they have an undiagnosed underlying liver or kidney disease.

It doesn't sound right for the ear mites to be migrating all over your cat's body; it it just affecting the back of his ears?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Susan (Las Vegas, Nv) on 04/08/2014

Hey Theresa! Thank you so much for replying to my post in March and helping me try to solve the problems surrounding my cat's ear/ear mite issues.

Unfortunately, I'm still fighting the war and now I'm desperate!

Any advice from anyone here is more than welcome!

This is their diet: Free-feed Orijen kibble, canned Organix grain free, fresh meats like chicken and beef, canned salmon, but they also get "junk" food like Whiskers treats, Meow-mix treats or Pounce treats. I'd created three cookie-monsters by giving them too many junk-food cat treats that the Bengal is totally obsessed with! I hate to admit I went overboard with giving them cookies too many times a day. But those sneaky little cats totally took advantage of me and trained me to their benefit! Now I have gotten a grip and although they still get cookies, it's in moderation. I've also switched their litter to Dr. Elsey's dust-free, hypoallergenic litter.

I used the oil (olive+vitamin E) in Trouble's ears (he's my Maine Coon with the hair loss around his neck) and got the last of the larger particles of "dirt" out of his ears. There might be some deep in his canals, but there's nothing visible. When I wipe out excess oil, pinhead-sized brown particles are on the cotton-ball. Of the three cats, his ears have the least amount of "dirt" and they actually look completely clean. The Snowshoe's and Bengal's ears both have a little visible dark-colored "wax" and it returns a couple days after putting the oil into their ears. Those two have intense reactions when treating their ears-- they cry and scratch their ears like crazy! Trouble does that a little, but not like the other two.

I didn't give them a bath. Trouble has had a couple "sponge" baths. Putting the oil in their ears once a day caused too many reactions that concerned me, so I didn't use oil as often as suggested.

Trouble is suffering the worst since he's still itching and shaking his head, twitching his ears, holding them sideways, and looking quite forlorn. The balding areas around his "collar" have widened, but the skin isn't red, isn't crusted, and is just regular-looking skin. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like the fur is coming back. It's peach-fuzz-like and there's only a couple dime-sized totally bald spots. The area is still itchy and I scratch it for him using my knuckle and he enters a state of nirvana! He has never had skin problems before this, ever!

I've read all the remedies on EC for ear mites, ear problems, and skin problems as well as info from other resources. I have the following products on hand: DE; pure organic Neem oil; H2O2; 100% organic pure coconut oil; Vitamin E oil; pure virgin olive oil; colloidal silver (gel) ; Borax powder; organic ACV; Dr. Bronner's baby shampoo; purified H2O.

Besides the oil, here's the remedies since the last post: I tried watered-down ACV but that stung Trouble's ears so I only tried that once (on his outer ear skin.) Then I tried Neem oil, warming it and applying it into their ears with a dropper. So, that seemed to help all of them at first: the next day their ears were considerably less itchy. Before I used it, Trouble's ears had become irritated and the inside skin on the ear-flap was almost red. Two days after applying the Neem oil his ears were almost light-pink again. I waited another day then re-applied the Neem oil to the Snowshoe and Trouble. I couldn't catch the very elusive Bengal. (Another story.)

When I applied the Neem oil the second time, both cats had bouts of crazy itching inside their ears, unlike the first time. Trouble's ears turned bright red, his ears really bothered him! Snowshoe's ears also bothered her and she sort of hid out for the day. Then I noticed two scratching-wounds on her cheek area! I applied colloidal silver to those patches and they heal up quickly, but then she scratches the scab off and we have to start over.

Since their reaction to the Neem oil was so intense, and it didn't seem to help them like it seemed to the first time, I let their ears rest for a few days. Since Neem oil is supposed to kill mites along with being an anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal oil, I don't know why they had this reaction.

I don't treat everyday with these cats due to behavioral and physical reactions -maybe I should.

So, after a couple days I went to the next concoction: coconut oil mixed with colloidal silver applied with a dropper into their ears. Again, negative reactions at first. Then it seemed as if Trouble's incessant ear twitching, tilting, scratching, head shaking and misery subsided a little, but then the next day (yesterday) he was totally miserable! I've never seen him like that! His ears were/are making him totally miserable. He couldn't sleep because his ears kept twitching and itching, and he's holding them sideways, shaking his head. His eyes were squinting. His ears turned very red and tender. He even hid under the bed which he's never done before. The other two cats are not having these issues. I am just having other difficulties with treating them which is another story.

Tonight he is in better shape: he has more energy, his ears still twitch but he's not constantly shaking his head and looking as miserable as he looked yesterday. His ears still bother him but are more upright, they itch but aren't as red and his eyes are not squinty.

Of all the treatments, the least "harsh" seemed like it'd be the coconut oil/colloidal silver mix, so I was surprised at the reaction. Both have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-mite, anti-everything properties, so I don't get it.

Maybe the treatments were too close together when I transitioned from the Neem oil to the coconut/silver one. Or do I need to treat more often?

I gave Trouble a good brushing, shedding out his winter coat, and found some tiny white particles of dandruff on his back. I looked at it under a high-powered jewelry loupe and I don't think they are bugs since they didn't move. I also saw some dandruff on the Bengal's coat but it didn't move either.

Again, the only hair loss is on Trouble and it's only on his neck. The only itchy parts are Trouble's neck, and ears on all cats. No one's ears have any bad smells coming from them.

The DE has not caused any negative reactions on the other two cats, but to be honest I have been concentrating on Trouble more than them since he's the one with the most pressing problems.

Anyone have any ideas about what's going on, or if I need to do things differently?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Susan (Las Vegas) on 04/09/2014

Thanks again Theresa! I followed the links you provided, read through the info, and nothing made me go "hmmm..."! (Those are great resources, by the way). He has no crusty skin, no scales, no sores, no redness, no pustules, no oily skin, no odor: nothing but hair loss and itching. The backs of his ears have lost fur too, and they are inflamed (although better today.)

I was giving them an abundance of junk food cookies, and thought maybe that had something to do with his hair loss. But the ear thing is being passed around, and it began prior to my OD'ing them with cookies. His hair loss may just be from scratching. He doesn't use his claws when scratching, therefore his skin isn't broken/scratched or bleeding. The other two use their claws and that's why when the Bengal is scratching his ears he cries.... and that's why the Snowshoe has ripped those scabs off when she's itching.

The Big Question is: What is contagious, causes intense ear itching, head shaking, back legs thumping when I scratch their ears for them, dark brown wax, no odors, etc., that can be contracted by an indoors- only cat and passed to the other two?

Trouble is looking much less distressed this morning. Ears are still itchy but he is back to acting like himself... same shenanigans and same little troublemaker as usual. I haven't put anything into his ears since the coconut oil/colloidal silver stuff. By tomorrow I will guess he'll be miserable from itching again because that's the pattern, with one ear being worse than the other, holding it horizontally and then giving me that "meow" letting me know he's miserable.

I am so grateful for this website and the help I have received because I don't know if I'm treating this problem correctly since I've never personally dealt with an ear mite problem. The only ear problems I can remember dealing with on my own animals was a GSD's ear infection due to those big donkey ears getting stuff blowing in and another GSD had a foxtail in his ear. With all my dogs over the last 4+ decades being swimmers, not one even got a bacterial or a yeast infection! Have had lots of cats in the past and just lucked out I guess because no ear problems with any of them either!

Now it's three cats getting this thing all at the same time and each one is hard to treat in their own way so I guess my luck temporarily went on hold!

I will look up the meds and order some today. I hope it works, then I hope they never have to go through this again.

Thanks again!

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Char (North Vancouver) on 02/10/2014

Do you use it everyday at first and after a month go to once a week?

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Judy (Manchester) on 05/20/2015

So, how many drops do I put and how often and she is depressed and I bought some Wal-Mart stuff but I've not been using it regularly and I didn't know till tonight

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Abby (Turkey) on 10/19/2015

What kind of hand sanitizers have been used ??

Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Marie (Oklahoma ) on 01/28/2016

How long did it take to work?

How to Restrain Cats for Treatment

Posted by Mary Carter (Larnaca, Cyprus ) on 03/10/2012
★★★★★

Restraining cats for ear treatments:

Cut the corner off of an old pillow case so it is just the size of the cat's neck. (Reinforce the neck with some quick stitches so the cat can't rip the pillowcase open if he gets a paw out. )

Make a drawstring for the bottom of the pillow case that can be drawn closed quickly.

Sneak up on the cat when he is sleeping.

Despite my monster cat hating this procedure (I'm 70 years old) he seems to understand that I am trying to help him doesn't seem to hold any grudge.

Garlic in Olive Oil

Posted by Stephanie (NC) on 11/02/2021

Cats cannot have garlic, it is toxic for them.

Yellow Dock

Posted by Deborah Barnett (Mt. Carmel, Tn) on 08/29/2011

Is that nine drops of essential oil and one tablespoon for each ear or just for one ear? I am wondering about the Yellow Dock Root Extract.

Thank You.

Yellow Dock

Posted by Leeniemud (Jessieville, Ar) on 07/16/2015

I am just starting to treat all my dogs for ear mites and am using yellow dock for their treatment. I am a little confused w/the directions though. Do I mix the 1tblspn of water w/9 drops of yellow dock and use this whole solution per dog or just use the mix and fill a dropper and put it in each of their ears? Any advice is appreciated.

Yellow Dock

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 07/17/2015

Hey Leeniemud!

1 tablespoon of water with 9 drops of yellow dock is the dilution- mix up as many batches as you need to treat the ears. Maybe you only need 1 batch per ear, maybe you need 2 batches per ear to really get the solution worked down deep - and it needs to get worked down deep to reach all the mites.

IMHO it will be helpful to clean the ears of gunk before you do the yellow dock treatment.

Castor Oil

Posted by Joann (Ny, US) on 11/16/2014

My saint caught mites from a cat friend..and she is miserable..the vet and I were treating her for a fungal infection because she gets them every so often...but she now has some irritation on her butt. she is moaning and rubbing her ear on the floor and now I see the brown stuff...what is best? please as she does not tolerate fleas and certainly not these horrible mites. Thank you. I cleaned her ears thoroughly and used peroxide on a q tip then q tipped some oil in her ear and she stopped moaning. HELP

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Stephanie (Calgary, Alberta) on 02/24/2010
★☆☆☆☆

My cat has ear mites an I have tried water and vinager it seems to be getting better but it's been a month and there still not gone I'm tring mineral oil now it's only been two days of it but I read that it doesn't kill the mites just cleans the ear should I use vinegar as well as the mineral oil ... Will that kill them?