Dog Ear Mites Vs Ear Wax

Dog ear mites vs ear wax

If your dog has visible buildup or scratches their ears often, it could be caused by mites or excess wax. Ear mites are parasites spread by contact with an infected animal and require vet-prescribed ear drops. Excess ear wax accumulates due to the dog breed or ear moisture; it can be solved with cleaning.

These two conditions are often mistaken for each other. But there are symptomatic differences that help a dog owner understand how to resolve their dog’s ear discomfort with the appropriate treatment.

What do dog ear mites look like?

Dog ear mites are tiny and difficult to see with the naked eye. However, if you use a soft cloth to wipe your dog’s ears, you can spot them as tiny white dots in the residue. The most noticeable sign of their presence is the dark, crumbly discharge the mites produce, which resembles coffee grounds. 

Under a microscope, ear mites resemble small, crab-like creatures and cause visible redness, inflammation, and crusting inside the dog’s ear canal. In severe infestations, they can cause hair loss around the ears.

What does normal dog ear wax look like?

Normal dog ear wax is light yellow to pale brown in the ear canal. It's soft, slightly sticky, and has a smooth texture. Importantly, it shouldn’t have a strong odor, be crusty, excessively wet, or cause discomfort, excessive scratching, or head shaking. If you notice any of this, it could indicate an ear infection that would often require medical treatment.

The amount and color of a dog’s ear wax can vary depending on the dog’s breed, age, and overall health. For example, dogs with floppy ears or narrow ear canals, like cocker spaniels or poodles, are more prone to ear wax buildup.

Dark brown discharge in dog’s ear - mites vs ear wax

The most different symptom between ear mites and excessive ear wax is the intensity of itching. Dogs with ear mites scratch their ears vigorously, shake their heads frequently, and rub their ears against surfaces out of frustration. Keep your dog's nails short so they don't hurt their ears further.

The intense itching from dog ear mites is accompanied by with a strong odor and a dark brown discharge resembling coffee grounds. This discharge is a mix of ear wax, blood, and mite excrement. Another indication of a mite infestation is hair loss around the ear.

In contrast, normal ear wax usually has a light yellow to brown color and a soft, sticky consistency. When it builds up in the ear canal, it appears brownish and may give off a strong smell. However, excessive or normal ear wax does not resemble mite discharge's dark, gritty appearance. In extreme cases, excessive ear wax can cause some itching and irritation, but it would be generally less severe than ear mites.

Ear wax treatment for dogs

• Use pet ear wipes containing aloe vera or chamomile extract to clean the outer ear and canal.
• Apply a vet-approved ear cleaner and massage the base of the ear.
• Let your dog shake its head and wipe away loose wax or debris with a cotton ball.

Note: Don’t use cotton swabs, as they can push wax further into the ear canal.

How to treat ear mites in dogs

• Use a vet-approved ear cleaner to remove debris, wax, and discharge from the ear canal.
• Next, apply a vet-recommended ear drop or ointment to kill the mites and relieve symptoms.
• Complete the full medication course as prescribed. If the symptoms persist,  follow up with your vet.
• If your dog's ears had hair loss from the mites, try these home remedies for hair loss in dogs.

Ear infection treatment for dogs

If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, visit the vet for a proper diagnosis. The vet will apply ear cleaner to remove debris, followed by ear drops to start treating the infection. In severe cases of an infection, the vet will prescribe antibiotics or antifungals for you to administer at home.

After administering the medication, regularly check your dog’s ears and monitor for any improvement or worsening of symptoms. Meanwhile, if allergies contribute to the ear infection, your vet will recommend changes in diet or medications to manage the allergies.

Dog ear mites vs ear wax - when to see a vet

You should see a vet if your dog frequently scratches its ears or shows signs of discomfort when you touch its ears. If you also notice an unusual discharge from the ear (dark brown, black, green, yellow) accompanied by a foul odor, it may indicate an infection or ear mites, and you should see a vet. A veterinarian will be able to determine if your dog has ear mites or excessive ear wax and provide the necessary treatment.