Ear mites in dogs cause intense itching, head shaking and a dark, waxy ear discharge. But in a French Bulldog, those same signs are far more often caused by a yeast or bacterial ear infection. This guide explains the symptoms, how vets tell ear mites from an ear infection, which treatments work, and why every pet in the house needs treating.

Ear mites in dogs: symptoms

  • Frequent head shaking and constant scratching at the ears.[3]
  • A dark, waxy or crusty discharge from the ear.[1][3]
  • Hair loss, scabs or a crusty rash around the ears from scratching.[1]
  • Ears that normally stand up starting to droop. Itching varies from mild to severe.[3]
  • An aural hematoma: a large blood blister on the ear flap, caused by small blood vessels breaking from all the scratching.[1]

Left untreated, ear mites can lead to a pus-filled outer ear infection and even a ruptured eardrum.[3] Secondary bacterial and yeast infections on top of the mites are common and also need treatment.[1]

That drooping sign is worth knowing for French Bulldogs: their upright "bat ears" make a change in carriage easy to spot. Make a quick look inside both ears part of your weekly routine, and note any new smell, redness or debris so you can describe it to your vet.

See your vet promptly if your dog tilts its head, seems in pain when you touch the ear, or has a swollen ear flap.

What do ear mites look like?

Ear mites are barely visible to the naked eye. During an exam with an otoscope, a vet may spot tiny white specks moving in the ear canal.[4] At home, what you will usually see is not the mites but the dark, waxy discharge.

The mites live in the ear canal. Their life cycle from egg to adult takes about 3 weeks, and adults live about 2 months, breeding the whole time.[1] They are more common in puppies and in cats than in adult dogs, and some animals, especially cats, carry them without any signs.[4] That is why a dog living with a cat can keep getting reinfested if only the dog is treated.

Ear mites vs ear infection

This is the key question for French Bulldog owners. In a Royal Veterinary College study of 2,781 French Bulldogs, the breed had about 14 times the odds of ear discharge compared with other dogs.[5] The study does not say what caused that discharge, but dark discharge can come from yeast or bacteria as well as from mites, so mites are only one possibility.[2] If your Frenchie's ears flare up again and again, ask your vet whether an allergy is behind it (see our guide to French Bulldog food allergies).

You can't reliably tell them apart by looking. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that "a dark discharge often indicates yeast or parasites but can also appear with bacterial or mixed infections."[2] Vets check two things:

  1. Otoscope exam of the ear canal, where moving mites may be visible.[4]
  2. A sample of ear debris under the microscope, which shows mites and their eggs, or yeast and bacteria instead.[1]

This quick, inexpensive test saves you from buying the wrong drops. Very sore ears sometimes need sedation for a proper look.[1]

Ear mites in dogs treatment

  • Anti-parasite medicine: your vet may prescribe medicated ear drops or a whole-body parasite product (a topical spot-on or a chewable). Products that act on ear mites include selamectin, moxidectin, milbemycin and some isoxazolines such as sarolaner and fluralaner.[1][3]
  • Ear cleaning: a vet-recommended ear cleaner that loosens wax makes any treatment work better.[1][3]
  • Finish the course: medicines don't kill the eggs, so treatment has to cover the whole life cycle. Your vet may recheck the ears to confirm the mites are gone.[1]
  • Treat the infection too if the microscope shows yeast or bacteria.[1]

Tell your vet if your dog has ever had a seizure. Isoxazolines have been linked to neurological side effects, so your vet may choose another option.[6]

Do home remedies work?

Search results are full of ear mite home remedies: vinegar, rubbing alcohol, olive or mineral oil. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises avoiding irritating home remedies such as vinegar mixtures, because they can make swelling and discharge worse.[2] Also, don't put anything into an ear that may have a damaged eardrum until a vet has checked it.

What you can safely do at home: gently wipe the outer ear flap with a vet-approved cleaner, give prescribed medicine on schedule, and wash your dog's bedding. For general ear and coat care routines, see how often to bathe a French Bulldog.

Are ear mites contagious?

To other pets, yes. Ear mites spread by close contact between animals, including from cats to dogs, and they can survive in the environment for several weeks.[4] Guidelines agree that all animals in contact with an infested pet should be treated, even if they don't scratch.[3][4]

To humans, rarely. At most, mites may cause a temporary itchy rash in susceptible people, which goes away once the pets are treated.[1]

Prevention is simple: check your dog's ears weekly, ask your vet about a broad-spectrum parasite product that also covers fleas on dogs, and book a visit for any smell, redness or scratching that lasts more than a day or two. Skin mites are a different story; read about demodectic mange in dogs.

Sources and references

  1. Barnes C, Weir M, Ward E. Ear Mites in Cats and Dogs [Internet]. VCA Animal Hospitals; [date unknown] [updated 2025 Mar 28; cited 2026 Nov 3].
  2. Roman N. Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs [Internet]. Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners version); 2026 Apr [cited 2026 Nov 3].
  3. Dryden MW. Mange in Dogs and Cats [Internet]. Merck Veterinary Manual; 2023 Mar [updated 2025 May; cited 2026 Nov 3].
  4. European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites. Control of Ectoparasites in Dogs and Cats. ESCCAP Guideline 03, Seventh Edition [Internet]. ESCCAP; 2022 Jan [cited 2026 Nov 3].
  5. O'Neill DG, Packer RMA, Francis P, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. French Bulldogs differ to other dogs in the UK in propensity for many common disorders: a VetCompass study. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2021;8(1):13. doi:10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3.
  6. Tomich L. Mite Infestations Affecting the Pinna in Animals [Internet]. Merck Veterinary Manual; 2026 Jun [cited 2026 Nov 3].