Home Remedies for Treating Ear Mites in Kittens

There are several species of ear mites that infect kittens. Though they are called ear mites, the parasites can live anywhere on the kitten's body. In fact, they often infect the tails of cats and kittens. This is because felines sleep with their tails curled around their bodies. If left untreated, ear mites can damage your cat's eardrum. If your kitten's ear mite infestation doesn't respond to home treatment quickly, it's advisable to take the pet to a veterinarian for a medication that contains pyrethrin or ivermectin.

Vinegar

The use of white vinegar is one of the more common and most effective home remedies for ear mites in cats and kittens. A solution is made by mixing one part vinegar to two parts water. The remedy is poured into the cat's ear. You should then massage the base of the ear to ensure the solution is spread throughout the affected area. Gently wipe the ear clean with a cotton ball. If your cat has sores or wounds as a result of scratching its ears, you shouldn't use this solution. The vinegar will cause stinging when it comes in contact with the open wounds.

Oils

Drops of corn oil are said to soothe the skin inside the ear and smother ear mites. The home remedy calls for just a few drops of corn oil placed in the kitten's ear. The oil should be massaged around the inside of the ear and then swabbed out with a cotton ball. Repeat the treatment three days in a row. A similar treatment calls for a mixture of a half-ounce of olive or almond oil with 400 IU of vitamin E. Warm the mixture to room temperature and place several drops of the liquid in the cat's ear. Use cotton balls to clean the ears. Repeat the remedy six days in a row.

Herbs

The use of the herb yellow dock root is a common home remedy for ear mites in cats. Nine drops of yellow dock root extract are mixed with one tablespoon of water. Place several drops of the solution in the cat's ears. The herb kills adult mites but doesn't harm the eggs. Because of this, the yellow dock root solution must be applied every day for several weeks to be effective in killing juvenile ear mites as they hatch. A mixture of one-half teaspoon of oregano and a half-ounce of olive oil is also used as a home remedy for ear mites. The solution should be mixed and set aside for 48 hours then strained through cheesecloth. Place several drops of the oil in the cat's ears twice each day. Combinations of garlic and olive oil are also sometimes used.