How to Keep Flies From Biting a Dog's Ears

Biting flies can quickly make your dog itchy and miserable during the hot summer months. Flies tend to attack the most vulnerable areas of your pet's body, preferring to bite the places with the thinnest skin such as the ears and nose. Fly bites can turn into infections or even lead to maggots being deposited under your pet's skin. Take preventative measures to protect your dog from being excessively bitten by flies and ensure that he stays comfortable and healthy.

Bring your dog inside. Biting flies rarely thrive inside your home and most humans will go out of their way to ensure any biting flies that do get into the home are disposed of very quickly. If you want to protect your dog from biting flies, keep him inside your home where the biting fly population is low to non-existent.

Protect your home and yard from biting flies. Biting flies breed in standing water and swampy areas; eliminating breeding areas, such as stagnant ponds or water filled containers, can help cut the biting fly population around your home. Make sure all your windows have screens over them and put up pet safe, commercially available fly traps around your property to help further reduce fly numbers.

Use fly-repellents to protect your dog from biting flies. A wide variety of pet-safe fly repellents are readily available for purchase from any retailer that sells pet items. To specifically protect your dog's ears, spray or rub the repellent on the outer sections of the ear. Do not spray repellent directly into the inner ear.