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9 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

german-shepherd Having a spider-like parasite in your ear sounds like something from a horror movie, but it frequently happens in dogs. Ear mites are highly contagious and spread easily from dog to dog, leaving misery and infection in their wake. If you’ve noticed your dog showing the signs of an ear mite infestation — such as frequent head shaking, itchy ears, and brown or black ear debris — then you’ll be happy to know that you can treat it at home.

If you’ve researched treatments, you’ve no doubt realized that there are countless choices out there for dog ear mite treatment. So, which is the best one? To answer that question and help you find the product that will best meet your needs, we’ve compiled a list of ear mite treatments. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide so you know what to look for.

Ready to help your dog feel better and get rid of those ear mites? Then read on for our recommendations.


A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Curasab by BEXLEY LABS Curasab by BEXLEY LABS
  • Broad-spectrum
  • Antimicrobial
  • Veterinary formula
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Hartz Ultraguard Hartz Ultraguard
  • Contains aloe
  • Does not contain fragrance
  • No ear flushing required
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    ZYMOX Enzymatic Soultion ZYMOX Enzymatic Soultion
  • Contains no antibiotics
  • Destroys antibiotic-resistant organisms
  • Contains 1% hydrocortisone for itch relief
  • Miracle Care Treatment Miracle Care Treatment
  • Controls ear mites and ticks
  • Pyrethrin-based liquid
  • Kills parasites that cause itching and inflammation
  • Bodhi Dog Natural Bodhi Dog Natural
  • Eucalyptus extract
  • Contains soothing and antibacterial aloe vera
  • Effective against ear mites
  • bacteria
  • yeast
  • and fungal infections
  • The 9 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Dogs – Reviews 2024

    1. BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Infection Treatment — Best Overall

    BEXLEY LABS Curaseb

    The BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment is our best overall choice because it’s a broad-spectrum, veterinary formula that can be used to treat numerous ear problems. It helps eliminate bacteria, debris, yeast, and fungus. This treatment also gently cleanses and flushes your dog’s ears, which is how you can flush away ear mites and their debris. This formula contains prescription-grade Ketoconazole, which is an antifungal and anti-yeast medication. It also has Tris-EDTA, which is an antibacterial. These medications help treat any problems in your dog’s ears that the ear mite infestation might have caused. This formula is available in either 8-ounce or 12-ounce bottle sizes, so you get plenty of it to flush your dog’s ears.

    This formula has a strong fragrance to it, which can be irritating to some dogs.

    Pros
    • Broad-spectrum, veterinary formula
    • Helps eliminate bacteria, debris, yeast, and fungus
    • Gently cleanses and flushes ears
    • Antimicrobial
    • Contains prescription-grade Ketoconazole (antifungal and anti-yeast) and Tris-EDTA (antibacterial)
    • Large bottle size
    Cons
    • Strong fragrance

    2. Hartz Ultraguard Ear Mite Treatment — Best Value

    Hartz Ultraguard

    The Hartz Ultraguard Ear Mite Treatment is the best ear mite treatment for dogs for the money because it kills the parasites on contact. It contains three tubes, so you have enough medication to kill both the mites and their eggs. With this treatment, you don’t have to flush your dog’s ears first. Simply place a few drops in the dog’s ears according to the package directions. This treatment contains aloe to help soothe your dog’s inflamed ears. It does not contain fragrance, which is good for sensitive dogs because added fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.

    The treatment used to kill the ear mites in this formula can irritate your dog’s ears.

    Pros
    • Kills parasites on contact
    • Includes three treatments
    • Contains aloe
    • Does not contain fragrance
    • No ear flushing required
    Cons
    • Can cause ear irritation

    3. ZYMOX Otic Enzymatic Soultion — Premium Choice

    ZYMOX Pet King

    The ZYMOX Otic Pet Ear Treatment is our premium choice for best ear mite treatment for dogs because it has a patented LP3 Enzyme system that is a broad-spectrum, natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. This formula is gentle on your dog’s ears and won’t irritate the sensitive skin. The formula contains 1% hydrocortisone for fast itch relief, and you don’t have to clean your dog’s ears before using the solution. It has an added biofilm-reducing complex that clears hard-to-penetrate bacterial biofilms. A bacterial biofilm is when bacteria cluster together to form a colony, so this treatment gets rid of all the bacteria. It also destroys antibiotic-resistant organisms and contains no antibiotics.

    The solution is in a small bottle and is expensive. It’s also best to buy this product from your veterinarian to be sure it’s authentic, especially since you’ll be putting it in your dog’s ears.

    Pros
    • Patented LP3 enzyme system is a broad-spectrum, natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
    • Has an added biofilm-reducing complex to clear hard-to-penetrate bacteria
    • Contains no antibiotics
    • Destroys antibiotic-resistant organisms
    • Contains 1% hydrocortisone for itch relief
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Best to buy it from your vet to be sure the product is authentic

    4. Miracle Care Ear Mite Treatment

    Miracle Care R-7M

    The Miracle Care Ear Mite Treatment controls ear mites and ticks to cure your dog of an infestation. It’s a pyrethrin-based liquid, which is an insecticide that can kill ear mites quickly. It works in only a few days, and you only need to repeat the treatment once or twice. You can buy the treatment in a kit that also includes the ear cleanser to thoroughly clean your dog’s ears of any debris.

    Because of the insecticide, this formula has a strong odor. It’s also harmful to humans if you breathe it in accidentally or swallow any of it, so be sure to use caution when treating your dog, but it still earns its spot on our list of best ear mite medicines for dogs.

    Pros
    • Controls ear mites and ticks
    • Pyrethrin-based liquid
    • Kills parasites that cause itching and inflammation
    • Works quickly, and you only need to repeat the treatment once or twice
    Cons
    • Strong odor
    • Harmful to humans

    5. Bodhi Dog Natural Pet Ear Cleaner

    Bodhi Dog

    The Bodhi Dog Natural Pet Ear Cleaner is a plant and botanical-based ear cleanser that’s effective but gentle. It removes dirt, ear wax, and odor, which is helpful for cleansing debris caused by ear mites. This formula contains eucalyptus extract, which is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial cleanser that also has antimicrobial properties. This makes the treatment effective against ear mites, as well as bacteria, yeast, and fungal infections. It also contains aloe vera, which is both soothing and antibacterial.

    This formula has a strong odor that can be unpleasant. It also contains alcohol, which can be drying to your dog’s ears.

    Pros
    • Plant and botanical-based ear cleanser that’s effective but gentle at removing dirt, ear wax, and odor
    • Contains eucalyptus extract, which is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial cleanser that also has antimicrobial properties
    • Contains soothing and antibacterial aloe vera
    • Effective against ear mites, bacteria, yeast, and fungal infections
    Cons
    • Strong odor
    • Contains alcohol

    6. Dr. Joseph’s VetPro Complete Ear Cleaner

    VetPro Complete

    Dr. Joseph’s VetPro Complete Ear Cleaner is formulated by a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience. It contains vitamin E and aloe vera to help heal your dog’s irritated ears. This ear cleaner removes ear wax and debris left behind by ear mites, as well as flushes out the parasites and their eggs. Regular use helps prevent mites and infections.

    This formula has a strong smell that is unpleasant and sticks around for a long time. The directions on the bottle recommend applying the formula two to five times a day for several days, which is both inconvenient and frustrating for both you and your dog.

    Pros
    • Contains vitamin E and soothing aloe vera
    • Formulated by a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience
    • Removes ear wax and debris
    • Helps prevent mites and infections
    Cons
    • Strong, unpleasant odor
    • Must apply frequently

    7. Lively Pets Dog Ear Cleaner

    Lively Pets

    The Lively Pets Dog Ear Cleaner contains EDTA, which reduces bacterial and fungal growth that can be caused by an ear mite infestation. This treatment is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal to kill any harmful germs that might be in your dog’s ears. This formula will flush out the ear mites, eliminate odor, and dry quickly. It also contains aloe vera to help soothe any inflammation.

    This formula has a strong odor that some people find offensive. It can also cause an allergic reaction in some dogs.

    Pros
    • Contains EDTA, which reduces bacterial and fungal growth
    • Antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal
    • Eliminates odor and is quick drying
    • Contains soothing aloe vera
    Cons
    • Strong, offensive odor
    • Causes allergic reaction in some dogs

    8. FourPaws Ear Mite Remedy

    Four Paws

    The Four Paws Ear Mite Remedy is formulated to kill ear mites quickly, easily, and safely without having to cleanse your dog’s ears first. It contains pyrethrin, which is an insecticide, to quickly kill ear mites and their eggs. It also contains aloe vera to help soothe any inflammation that’s been caused by the ear mites.

    Because of the insecticide, this treatment can cause ear irritation. The dropper on the container comes off easily, and you can easily spill it if you’re not careful.

    Pros
    • Contains soothing aloe vera
    • Formulated to kill ear mites quickly, easily, and safely
    • Contains pyrethrin to quickly kill ear mites
    Cons
    • The dropper on the container doesn’t work well
    • Can cause ear irritation

    9. Adams Ear Mite Treatment

    Adams

    The Adams Ear Mite Treatment contains pyrethrin, which is an insecticide. This kills ear mites and their eggs on contact. To help soothe any inflammation from the ear mites, this formula contains aloe vera and lanolin. This treatment can be used alone without cleansing your dog’s ears first.

    Care should be taken when using this treatment because the insecticide is harmful to humans. Pyrethrin is harsh and can cause ear irritation in dogs. This formula can leave a waxy residue behind in your dog’s ears. Large dogs need more drops and the bottle is small.

    Pros
    • Contains soothing aloe vera and lanolin
    • Kills ear mites on contact
    • Contains pyrethrin
    Cons
    • Can cause ear irritation
    • Harmful to humans
    • Can leave a waxy residue
    • Large dogs need more drops

    Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Ear Mite Treatment for Dogs

    Ear mites can make your dog miserable, which makes you desperate to find a treatment that works. There are several things to consider when searching for the best treatment to get rid of your dog’s infestation. To help you know what to look for, we’ve created a buyer’s guide.

    Insecticide

    Many ear mite treatments for dogs contain insecticide to kill both the ear mites and their eggs. This can be a quick way to get rid of the mites, but it can also be irritating to your dog’s sensitive ears. You should also take extra caution while applying these treatments because the insecticide is harmful to humans. We recommend applying the treatment outside with gloves and a mask to prevent accidental inhalation or swallowing when your dog inevitably shakes their head.

    Cleanser

    A cleanser helps flush out the ear mites and their eggs, and it also cleans the debris from your dog’s ears. An ear mite infestation creates a great deal of debris in your dog’s ears, due to the sensitive skin of your dog’s ears reacting to the infestation. Your dog might also have a secondary infection from scratching its ears. Because they don’t contain an insecticide, cleansers take longer to work. Some ear mite treatments contain both a cleanser and an insecticide, which can save you time and money.

    Bottle Size

    Bottle size is especially important with cleansers because you have to use them frequently to flush your dog’s ears. Larger bottles save you money and give you plenty of solution to properly cleanse your dog’s ears.

    Gentle Ingredients

    Some treatments contain natural, gentle ingredients such as aloe vera to help soothe your dog’s ears. The ear mites cause irritation and inflammation that can make your dog itchy and miserable. Having soothing natural ingredients helps make your dog more comfortable.

    french-bulldog
    Image credit: French Bulldog by Mylene2401, Pixabay

    Fast-Acting

    Fast-acting formulas are ideal because they work quickly to kill the ear mites and their eggs. These treatments typically need to be applied frequently to make sure all the mites are removed. Treatments that contain insecticide usually work the fastest, but they can irritate your dog’s ears.

    No Added Fragrances

    Added fragrances can make your dog’s ears more irritated because they may be allergic or sensitive to them. For this reason, it’s best to look for treatments that don’t contain any fragrance.

    Alcohol-Free

    Some ear mite treatments contain alcohol, which can be drying to a dog’s sensitive ears. Constant scratching can cause terrible irritation and inflammation in your dog’s ears. When you put alcohol on this irritated skin, it might sting your dog’s ears, causing them pain.

    Application Frequency

    Some treatments require you to apply the drops in your dog’s ears once or twice a day for only a few days. Others require you to apply the drops much more frequently and for over a week. Having to apply drops in your dog’s ears frequently can become an unpleasant chore for both you and your dog. Therefore, it’s best to look for treatments that don’t require as many applications.


    Conclusion

    Our best overall choice is the BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment because it contains prescription-grade Ketoconazole and Tris-EDTA to treat any ear conditions caused by the ear mite infestation. It also comes in a large bottle size, so you can flush your dog’s ears many times before running out.

    Our best value choice is the Hartz 3270098165 Ultraguard Ear Mite Treatment because it contains medication to kill ear mites and their eggs. You don’t have to flush your dog’s ears before using this formula, so it saves you time. The treatment includes three medicine tubes, and you can use it daily to kill all the mites.

    Dealing with ear mites can be frustrating, but we hope that our list of reviews and buyer’s guide for the best ear mite treatments for dogs have helped you find the right one for your needs.

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    Featured Image Credit: German Shepherd, Capri23auto, Pixabay

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