Flies on Dog's Ears - Causes, Signs and Treatment Solutions

Flies on dog's ears is one of the top problems during warm summer months. Many years ago, before the Internet, I mentioned to my local vet, that I was so frustrated with how the flies were attacking my Wolf's ears that year, and despite my best efforts to treat, I wasn't making any progress. He told me he had heard good things about the new Bio spot product we were selling, keeping the flies off the dog's ears.

I went back to work, purchased a tube of bio-spot, and in a very short while, after applying according to directions, the flies started leaving my dog's ears alone. Bio-spot has gone through several re-formulations since then, but there are many good options for helping out your dog when the flies just won't leave their ears alone.

Even today, probably the top question I get on Facebook and Twitter from friends during the summer is about flies on their dog's ears. Flies are a particular nuisance on your dog's ears because they have a hard time defending their ears. Flies will pick at the ear and this can lead to maggots and infection.

Ruth's Top 5 Products for Flies on Dog's Ears are...

Relief! Fly Ointment

1) Relief Fly Ointment by Davis: This is a natural product that has soothing natural oils as well as cedar wood and Citronella to keep the flies away. The non-irritating formula is ideal for protecting wounds, sores and abrasions from flying pests including stable, horn, face and house flies.

Swat Fly Repellent Ointment

2) Swat Fly Repellent Ointment: This ointment has 0.2% pyrethrums to repel flies from sensitive areas and around wounds and the ointment seems to stay on well for most dogs. It provides daily fly protection for horses, ponies, and dogs. Available in the original pink formula to help identify treated areas and a clear formula for discreet use in the show pen.

Miracle Care R-7 Ear Mite Treatment & Cleaner Kit

3) Miracle Care R-7 Ear Mite Treatment & Cleaner Kit: The R-7M Ear Mite Treatment Kit is formulated to effectively kill ear mites and ticks in dogs and cats over 12 weeks of age. This veterinarian-approved treatment helps keep your pet's ears dry and clean while relieving irritation caused by infestations. It includes a bonus bottle of R-7® Ear Cleaner for added care.

Jeffers Pet Ear Cleaner Solution

4) Jeffers Pet Ear Cleaner Solution: Gentle yet powerful formula designed for routine cleaning and therapeutic relief. This multi-species ear cleaner is suitable for dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, puppies, and kittens. Formulated with natural eucalyptus extract, aloe vera, and other soothing ingredients, it effectively removes dirt, wax, and debris while helping to relieve itching, irritation, and odor caused by moisture buildup or mild infections.

No Natz

5) No Natz. We once put this product to the test at Jeffers, giving it out to our employees to try, and the results were happy, gnat-free employees, that were relieved to find a product that worked! No Natz not only repels, but works to heal existing bites. It contains natural ingredients like Rosemary and Lemongrass and Coconut Oil and has a pleasant, refreshing scent.

To see more pet products from Jeffers, click here!

Read about how to stop and prevent chronic ear infection in dogs, as well as other posts on dog health care like how to identify diabetes in dogs, flea control, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog have flies on their ears? What causes it?

Flies are attracted to dogs' ears because the thin skin, warmth, and limited hair make them easy targets, especially the ear tips and folds. The main causes are outdoor exposure during fly season (spring through fall), presence of moisture or discharge in or around the ear, existing wounds or scabs that attract flies, dirty or infected ears producing odor, and dogs kept outside for extended periods. Certain breeds with floppy or upright ears are more prone. Stable flies and black flies are the most common culprits.

What are the signs or symptoms that there are flies in my dog's ears?

Watch for visible flies hovering around or landing on the ears repeatedly, small red or bloody bite marks along the ear tips or edges, crusty scabs or dark specks (fly dirt) on the ear flap, hair loss around the ear edges from repeated biting, your dog constantly shaking their head or scratching at their ears, whimpering or sensitivity when ears are touched, and in severe cases, open sores or wounds that can become infected or attract flies to lay eggs, which requires immediate veterinary attention.