If you own a German Shepherd dog and live in an area where you get flies (is this most of the world???) then you might have an issue with flies biting the ears of you German Shepherd. This can get quite serious, even to the point where you will have to amputate the tips of your dog’s ears due to an infection caused by the fly bites.
I’m not 100% sure why this happens, but I reckon it’s due to the thin skin/pelt near the tip of your dog’s ears, and the fact that most of the time the tip of the ears are black, which makes them really hot. Of course, hot ears means blood vessels close to the skin, and this means easy snacking for the flies.
There are a few things you can get to prevent flies biting dog’s ears, most of them medicinal sprays (like a product called “Shoo Fly” here in South Africa). You can wipe the dog’s ears, and then spray the product on the ears. Something else we were told we could use was Vaseline. The flies wouldn’t get through the vaseline, AND it would “moisturise” the ears if the flies have already bitten the ears.
If you know of anything else to get rid of the flies and prevent them biting your dog’s ears, please let me know.
Make a strong solution of khaki bos soaked in hot water. Allow to cool & spray or dip your dog. Spray their bedding too – this also helps control fleas & ticks, and it’s natural. We do this to our Sharpei’s.
Thanks for the tip. Sounds good.
There is a new product on the market called Advantix (in SA). It controlls ticks, fleas and… you guessed it, flies!
I only started using it a month ago but so far so good.
we have a chow/husky and flies have been biting his ears so bad that they are black. And also they have been biting his nose so bad that it is bleeding on his whole nose. What do i do?
Hi Rylee. I think the best bet for you might be to go to the Vet first and get the sores cleaned out. They should also be able to give you a medicated cream that will help heal the wounds, as well as keep the flies off.
Hi, we have the same problem with our Boerboel and the only effective remedy that we have found is a product called Equivet, you can buy it from the Vets, it is actually for use on horses, but works beautifully for dogs ears too.
Thanks for the info Ann.
I also have a boerboel and have found that putting a few drops of citronella oil on his hears keep the flies at bay. What we have also tried is “Zambuk†which helps heal the sores and keeps the flies away.
Hi I take flowers of sulphur and vaseline mix the 2 together and spread it on the dogs ears. This treatment is also used for when a dogs hair falls out and makes balb patches. I hope it works for you like it did for me
Hi Liz. Thanks for your ideas. Hopefully it proves useful to somebody…
If you are willing to go to the trouble, I make a salve. It is a bit heavy and oily, so not recommended if you are getting ready to show your dog. It works well for my outside malamute mixes.
1/2 oz. beeswax
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
8 drops Lemon eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops Lavendar essential oil
Combine oils and glycerin. Melt beeswax in double boiler. Once melted, stir in oil mixture and whip with fork or egg whip. Pour immediately into small widemouth jar.
Apply to dogs ears every three to four days or when flies are noticed.
This is a little thicker than Vaseline due to the wax but stays on better. These essential oils are healing for ear tips already sore from bites. Hair seems to return fairly quickly also. These oils are also safe for animals but keep in mind that any essential oil product may cause an allergic reaction. Also – never use essential oils undiluted on pet or human unless they are specifically stated to be safe for application in that sense.
Thank you Jody, that is EXCELLENT information!!!
i am struggling with fleas, spent a fortune at the vets for the past year, this doggie came with fleas and i have tried everything, somebody recommened that i rub the dog down with citronella oil , i have done this ,but now fear that it might harm her,
There’s a product called X Spot. I had terrible problems with flies on my German Sheperd and Husky’s ears. Tried X Spot and I’ve never looked backed!
i need help……My black labrador cross mastiff puppy has open wounds on his ears from the fly bites……we used a puppy fly repellent and he was allergic….it nearly killed him :(……..i need to know what i can use to heal his ears and keep the flys off……thanks
You could try these “organic” options:
Home made fly spray
Or just the vaseline option…
Let me know what happens.
Hi Amanda
Try X Spot. It’s an ointment which you put on the skin between the shoulder blades and the base of their tales. I put a bit near their ears as well just to be sure. You can find it at most Vet’s or pet shops. I had a huge, huge problem with flies, my German Sheperd has no tips on his ears due to flies. I’ve tried vaseline but unfortunately I have other dogs and they made his ears worse by licking the vaseline off.
Hi,
I have 2 german shephards one is 5mnths and the other 8 weeks I don’t have this problem yet but I have been told that white zinc cream helps…
I always put VICKS & it help & cures the ears..
I also have two dogs, and they lick everything off, from shoofly to vaseline. I am going to try the zambuc due to the eucalyptus, but would X-spot help? Will the dogs lick it off?
Hi Clive
Not at all! Before X-Spot I tried Vaseline and Zambuc and it would have worked but I have 3 other dogs who loved the taste and sat licking my german shepard’s ears which made the ears raw which only attracted more flies. The product is applied inbetween the shoulder blades and where the tail starts and applied on the skin not on the hair. I put a bit on their heads and ears as well just as an extra precaution.
Thanks Candice. I take it I cannot apply it to the open wound, but close by on the skin of the ear?
I do Clive, it actually helps the wound dry up.
Thanks Candice. I am definately going to try this…
One thing which I’m sure you’ll read is don’t wash your dogs before applying it’s works best with “dirty” dogs. Good Luck! Let me know how it goes.
One thing which I’m sure you’ll read is don’t wash your dogs before applying it works best with “dirty” dogs. Good Luck! Let me know how it goes.
hi guys! the best product i have found for my boerboel’s ears is fly rid works really great and stays on for really long. keeps working. hope this helps someone
i use “corona” ointment that is made for horses and cattle
IM USING SHOO FLY ON MY BULLMASTIF AND ITS WORKING
A LIVE IN MOZAMBIQUE AND FLIES IS A BIG PROBLEM HERE.
I use the same insect repellent I use on myself…here in Australia it is called aero guard…it stops flies, mosquito,sand flies and ticks.
My two Boxers are not really bothered with flies biting their ears but they are really pestered by biting flies around the head and tail areas. I used to use a spray called Fly Rid which was absolutely marvellous. The dogs hated it but it worked very, very well. Now I cannot find it on sale anywhere. Can anyone help with vendors please.
wound airosoll help very good its the best ask your vet were you can find it or if he can order it for you
My thanks to Dawid but I have managed to find more supplies of Fly Rid plus the fact it is late autumn here now so the biting fly menace goes away until next summer.
My lab had a sore on his nose and the vet recommended “swat”. Sway may be purchased at most feed stores such as Tractor Supply. My vet said left untreated flies may lay eggs in sore and the sore will only get bigger.
I have 2 rots, we have used Avon skin so soft forever, it’s a miracle. My babies show no sign of problems or irritation. They seem happy
My German Shepherd’s ears were awful, especially when I got home after a week of camping. My pet sitter only put something on once a day. I have tried everything: Vaseline, Fly repellent for horses (I was concerned about it being too potent but it still didn’t work) even Corona Ointment, which farmers use on animal’s wounds to keep flies off of them. I found this site and was going to try the essential oil recipe but Whole foods is 20 miles away and I wouldn’t be able to get there for a few days. So, I tried my Deep Woods Off Bug and Sun Cream. We were just camping in CO and I used it – never got a bite or sunburn. And it worked immediately on his ears! I only have to put it on once a day. It does not sting his ears while the wounds are healing, it doesn’t smell, my dog didn’t mind it at all. We are two days into it and I would say that he is already growing hair back!
My white boxer has had an aweful time with the biting flies all over, especially his ear tips (so much that they bleed). I wash the ears with hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball then apply a generous amount of antibiotic ointment to the tip, then rub his fur down with AVON’s Skin-So-Soft oil. THE FLIES DISSAPPEAR IMMEDIATELY!!! 🙂
I use a product by the name off in australia the flies are bad we even have a wave called the aussie salute in summer when the flies are bad off even keeps the flies of me even when i’m fishing & we know how much flies like bait give it a go.
A few drops of Tea Tree oil mixed in vaseline or the bees wax, also works great. Tea Tree is very healing & a natural antiseptc for ALL sorts of external things.