Chronic Diseases & Special Conditions
Ear Mites in Dogs: Recognition, Treatment, and the Dietary Background of Ear Infections
Dark, coffee grounds-like ear discharge and intense scratching may indicate ear mites, but recurring ear infections are often due to food sensitivities.
When to see a vet IMMEDIATELY
- •Blood in stool or vomit
- •Lethargy, not drinking, or not eating for 24+ hours
- •Repeated vomiting, especially if water won't stay down
- •Swollen or painful abdomen, whimpering
- •Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days, or worsening symptoms
This article is informational and does not replace veterinary examination.
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Ear Mites in Dogs: Recognition, Treatment, and the Dietary Background of Ear Infections
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal. They are less common in dogs than in cats, but they are highly contagious and extremely uncomfortable.
Typical Signs
- Dark brown, black, crumbly discharge, resembling coffee grounds
- Intense ear scratching, head shaking
- Scratching marks behind the ear
- Strong odor from the ear
- Restlessness, sleep disturbances
The crumbly, dry discharge is characteristic of mites; wet, yellowish, foul-smelling discharge indicates a bacterial or fungal ear infection.
Why You Shouldn't Treat at Home
Because the symptoms overlap. A veterinarian can determine within 2 minutes, using a microscope, whether the culprit is a mite, bacteria, or yeast, and this requires completely different treatments. The wrong drops can worsen the situation: if the eardrum is damaged, certain medications can be harmful.
Treatment Process
- Veterinary ear examination and sampling
- Professional ear cleaning (do not use cotton swabs)
- Mite-killing medication; many spot-on flea treatments are effective against them
- All dogs and cats in the household must be treated
- Washing bedding and fabrics
When It Keeps Coming Back: Check the Diet
If mites have been ruled out and ear infections recur every 6–8 weeks, one of the most common causes is food sensitivity. Often, the same process occurs in the dog's ear as on its skin.
It is suspicious if, alongside ear infections:
- the paws are itchy, and the dog licks them frequently
- it scratches its belly and armpits
- the stool is soft and variable
- it recurs throughout the year, regardless of the season
In such cases, the next step is an 8–12 week elimination diet, not another ear drop.
How Can Diet Help?
- Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) from fish oil: reduces skin and ear inflammation
- Single protein (monoprotein) food to reduce allergen load
- Elimination of sugary, flavored treats
When Is It Urgent?
- Head held at an angle, balance issues, eye twitching (inner ear involvement)
- Severe pain, cannot tolerate touch to the ear
- Bleeding, swollen ear flap (hematoma)
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References
- 1.ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) — Guideline 03: Control of Ectoparasites in Dogs and Cats. ESCCAP Guidelines, 2022. https://www.esccap.org/guidelines/gl3/ (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 2.Olivry T, Mueller RS — Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (3): prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research 13:51, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0973-z (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 3.Mueller RS, Fieseler KV, Fettman MJ, et al. — Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice 45(6):293–297, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2004.tb00238.x (accessed: 2026-09-10)
This is general information and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
This guide was compiled based on the expert input of Reka Fazekas-Birizdo canine nutritionist.
Certified Canine Nutritionist
