Tips for Keeping your Pets Free from Ear Mites

Ear mites are tiny parasites but they can make your pets to be restless. You can barely see them with your naked eyes. The parasites feed on the wax and oily discharge from the ears of a pet. Ear mites are more common in cats and are mainly spread through direct contact between animals. Dogs and cats are affected by the same type of pet. Therefore, if your cat has ear mites, they can spread to your dog if they get into contact. If left untreated, ear mites can cause ear infections. Pets that are young and abandoned are more prone to the parasites.

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Symptoms of Ear Mites in Pets. Itching: it is one of the first signs of ear mites. A pet that is infested with mites scratches its ears from time to time. The ears of an infected pet will have a reddish-brown discharge. The constant scratching of the ears will lead to wounds and inflammations. The wounds are likely to result in infections. The ear mites spread to other parts of the body, and this will also lead to itching in such parts.

Tips for Keeping Pets Free from Ear Mites.

1. Clean the ears regularly. It is advisable to clean the ears every week using cotton balls and ear cleaners. You can visit the nearby pet store to buy a liquid ear cleaner. In some cases, pet owners make their own ear cleaners to save some money. The two main ingredients used to make the ear cleaners include alcohol and vinegar. Only apply the liquid cleaner after storing it under room temperature. Ensure that the dropper you use for the work does not touch the ears directly. After applying the cleanser, massage the base of the pet’s ears for about 30 seconds. Dirt and oil inside the ears will get out if the pet shakes its head. The next step is to wipe any discharge that may come out of the ears. Use an anti-parasite treatment every month to kill any ear mites that may have infested the pet.

2. Check the pet’s ears every week. Hold the cat’s head and flip-up its ears flaps. Check the ears closely whether there is a lot of dark substance, scratches at the base of the ear, or swollenness of the inside part of the pet’s ears. You should be careful when touching the ears as the pet may get upset if infested with ear mites.

3. Apply baby oil or olive oil. The two types of oil are effective natural cleaners that can help to remove wax that may be inside the ears of your pets. Parasites will have nothing to feed on. Only use two drops of the oils once in a month or according to the instructions of a vet. Using excessive oil can result in other health complications. You need to hold the head of your pets down before you apply oil to ensure that it works.

4. Clean the pet’s bedding and play area regularly. The beddings for your pets should be cleaned on a weekly basis. You can hand wash or use a washing machine to do the work. Cleaning the playing area thoroughly using a spot cleaner of a fabric cleaner. Some cleaners used to clean a play area are toxic and harmful to the pets. It is recommendable to buy the cleaners from a pet store.

5. All pet toys should be cleaned using hot water and a mild detergent. Some pet toys are made of fabric, and that can be a breeding ground for ear mites. The toys should be soaked in hot water for about 20 minutes to kill all the parasites that may be present.

6. Ensure that new pets are checked for ear mites. If you have plans to bring another pet to your home, they should be checked by a professional vet for ear mites as they may infect the pets you already have. If you realize that the new pet has been infested, treat them immediately and quarantine them for a while.

7. Visit a vet regularly. If you cannot check and treat the pet ear mites, consider scheduling regular vet check-ups. A vet will also give you insights for ensuring that your pets are healthy at all times.

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