Less than a millimeter in length, ear mites burrow deep in the ear canal of puppies and young dogs with weak immune systems. They feast on the blood and debris in the ear and cause irritation and excessive earwax production. As the wax continues to accumulate, it causes secondary ear infections, pain, and inflammation. Eventually, it causes hearing loss.

Dogs with low-hanging ears are especially vulnerable because air cannot reach the inside of the ear and ear mites flourish in the dark canal. If the infection is severe, you can recognize this ear problem by its characteristic strong musty odor. Affected dogs will continuously scratch their ears and rub their heads on the ground to try to ease the discomfort.

Other herbal oils you can use include neem and peppermint. Clean the earwax out by putting some oil inside the ear canal and massaging the outside. Insert a strip of cotton into the ear to wipe out the wax. Never use Q-tips or any other objects because these can injure the ear. Repeat the process twice a day.

If the ears haven't improved after a few days, your dog needs to see the veterinarian. Since ear itching is a common problem, the veterinarian will collect a little of the ear debris and examine it under the microscope to determine if this is a bacterial or yeast infection before prescribing treatment. To treat the ear mites, she may flush the ears. If the problem is severe, she may prescribe a traditional medication, such as a topical insecticide.