Dog Ear Infection: How To Finally Stop It With Natural Remedies
If your dog has been shaking his head and scratching at his ears, then he likely has an ear infection. Ear infections in dogs are very common but often very frustrating; they can quickly and often do re-occur leaving you wondering if you can ever get rid of them. This article will go over the most common causes of ear infections, and give you the most effective at home remedies to finally stop your dog’s ear infection.
Most pet owners can easily tell if their dog has an ear infection by looking into and their dog’s ear. A normal ear is light pink, not tender and easy to examine. In dog ear infections you will see a foul-smelling black, yellow or brown discharge. The ears may be very red and tender.
Most ear infections are caused by an underlying allergy. Some are caused by water in the ear after bathing or swimming. Dogs with large floppy ears, such as Basset Hounds, are prone to infections as their ear canals have poor air circulation, trapping moisture and allowing bacteria and yeast to grow.
Dogs with ear infections caused by yeast usually have a black discharge; this is commonly second to an allergy. Dogs with bacterial ear infections often have an organism called Staphylococcus; in rare cases a more serious infection is caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas.
White vinegar (acetic acid) is very effective at removing debris from the ears and killing the yeast and bacteria responsible for ear infections. The vinegar is anti-fungal, so in many cases it alone can resolve your dog’s ear infection. If your dog has red, open wounds, do not use this as it will be painful. You need to use a soothing topical first (i.e. olive oil and Vitamin E). Dilute the vinegar with water 50:50, pick up a syringe from your local pharmacy and put 5 ml of the vinegar solution per 20 lbs of body weight into the affected ear. (Your cat would get 2.5 ml or 1/2 a tsp). Grab the ear where it attaches to the head (at the ear base), gently squeeze your thumb and forefinger together, rubbing the solution deep into the ear canals. Wipe the inside of the ear well with cotton balls to remove debris coming from the ear canal. Continue to do this daily for 5-7 days. For dogs with recurring infections, this can be done weekly.
Healing oils are especially helpful if your dog’s ears are inflamed and difficult to touch. You can use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil combined with 1 capsule of Vitamin E and crushed garlic. Insert that into your pets ear. Let it soak for 5 minutes, then rub the base of the ear well and wipe out excess debris with a cotton ball. The garlic is anti-fungal, so often helps with recurring ear infections.
For dogs that get recurring ear infections it is important to try a less allergenic diet. It should include a completely different protein with minimal added ingredients. One example commercial diet is made of fish and sweet potato.
Essential Fatty Acids are a must for any allergy that triggers recurring ear infections. The therapeutic dog dose is 1000 mg per 10lbs of body weight daily. An inexpensive option is to use flax oil, the dose being 1 tablespoon per 50lbs of body weight daily.
A common remedy most pet owners have around their home are antihistamines. Benadryl is the most commonly used antihistamine. It is given at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight, 2-3 times a day. It is best to consult your veterinarian before using these medications. It often takes 14 days of using these to see if they are helping.
Most ear infections produce red, inflamed ears, so it is important to decrease the inflammation. Aloe and Calendula can be applied topically in the ears twice daily to decrease inflammation. These have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and in many cases successfully resolve the ear infection.
You should now better understand what causes dog ear infection, and be able to recognize this in your own dog. You can now clean your dog’s ear at home, using natural remedies to treat yeast and bacteria. Lastly you should now implement a few of these at home solutions to prevent your dog’s ear infection from recurring.
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
P.S. My supplement, Dr Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula contains high levels of essential fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants which can help with recurring ear infections. You can get a 50% OFF trial by going to: Ultimate Canine Health Formula
Thank you so MUCH!!!!
About two months ago I had to take (again) to the vet to one of my dogs because she had once more an ear infection. I had tried everything but it does not work or it works for just a little bit and then we have problems again. I was looking for some kind of natural remedy and I am going to try the olive oil, vitamine E and garlic :). THANKS!
You’re very welcome! I hope it helps your pup. Just remember, if the ear is very red, painful, or has open sores, avoid the vinegar until it’s settled down. And if the infections keep coming back, be sure to look for the underlying cause—especially allergies—as that’s often the real culprit. Wishing your girl happy, healthy ears
Natural Cellular Defense also worked on my dog’s ears. I also did a little laser (cold laser) on her ears. She still has allergies, so I’m escalating the treatment a little and playing with her protein source.
Thanks for sharing what worked for your dog! You’re thinking along the right lines, if the allergies aren’t addressed, the ear infections often keep coming back. Adjusting the protein source and finding the underlying trigger can make a big difference. Wishing your pup continued improvement and itch-free ears!
olive oil worked great to clean out painful crusty ears my dog accepted it and liked it
Thanks!!
That’s great to hear! Olive oil can be very soothing for dry, crusty ears. I’m glad your dog tolerated it so well. Here’s hoping those ears stay clean, comfortable, and itch-free!
Thanks Doc, you made my day , because i would taken stella to the Vet, it works well i used the olive oil remedy but before a good clean with the white vinegar solution , thanks once again.
nicolo , italy
You’re very welcome, Nicolo! I’m so glad Stella is feeling better. Thanks for giving the remedies a try, and a big hello to you both in Italy! Give Stella a gentle scratch behind those healthy ears from me.
Thank you so much for this information. My dog has recurring ear infections (especially during the summer when she swims in the ocean) and all I get from the vets are expensive medications!
You’re very welcome! Swimming can definitely trap moisture in the ears, making infections more likely. Cleaning and drying your dog’s ears after a swim can really help reduce recurrences. Here’s to more fun beach days and fewer ear infections!
thank so much for the ear infection info my dog been have the thins you describe and i used some oment to clean his outer ear up and it seem to work but now i can do what you recommend he has not been in any water he dose have aligraly during the summer some time and i keep benadryl around for him have a great day thank
You’re very welcome! It does sound like allergies may be the underlying cause, so addressing those can really help reduce recurring ear infections. I hope the natural remedies bring your pup some relief. Give him a gentle ear scratch from me, and have a great day too!
Thanks so much for this article. I wish it would have come out about 3 weeks ago. My puppy had the yeast infection in the ear. Took him to the vet and cost way more than this would have.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you found it, even if it was a little late this time. The good news is you’ll have these tips on hand if it ever starts to come back. Wishing your puppy healthy, happy ears from here on out!
Thanks for the great advice! I make an all natural salve for yeast infections in dogs. It contains infused oils of Olive Leaf, Yarrow, Pau d’Arco, and Hemp, as well as Tea Tree, Rose Geranium, Beta-Carotene, and Vitamin E. Kills the yeast and relieves the itching without chemicals. Natural products are definitely the first line of defense.
Thanks for sharing! I’m a big fan of using gentle, natural options whenever appropriate. Just one note for pet parents: some essential oils, including tea tree oil, can be irritating or even toxic if used at the wrong concentration or if pets lick them, so they should always be used with care. Here’s to healthy, itch-free ears!
I came home from the vet to find this article in my in box. $104 later. Now I know what to do. Thank you for your caring.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you found it, even if the timing was a little late. Hopefully these tips will help you catch things early next time and keep those vet visits to a minimum. Wishing your pup a speedy recovery and healthy ears ahead!
Thank you so much for the ear information. I haven’t tried it yet, but will tomorrow when I get my daughters little chihuahua. He had such bad infections he had to have it operated on. He really suffers with this. We take him to the doctors and it comes back. Thanks again, I’ll let you know how it worked.
You’re very welcome! I hope your daughter’s little Chihuahua gets some relief. Since he’s already had surgery and has recurring infections, be extra gentle and keep an eye out for underlying allergies, as they’re often the root cause. Wishing him comfortable, healthy ears—I’d love to hear how he does!
Thanks a lot, Dr. Andrew, for the info. My German Shepherd Dog has had a recurring ear infection which has cost me an arm and a leg at the vet’s. I can’t wait to try the remedies you suggested in this article. Quality information such as what you’ve been sharing with us is greatly appreciated. Many thanks for your generosity and kind heart.
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you found the information helpful. German Shepherds can certainly be prone to recurring ear issues, so I hope these natural tips help keep those ears healthy and reduce future flare-ups. Thanks for your kind words, they truly mean a lot.
thanks for your valuable articles . your effert is highly appriciated dogs ear infection is quite common .ANY other solution from homeo medicine?
You’re very welcome, and thanks for your kind words! As for homeopathy, the evidence for treating ear infections is limited. I prefer remedies with better support, such as gentle ear cleaning, soothing olive oil, and addressing the underlying cause—most often allergies. Keeping the ears clean and dry can also go a long way in preventing recurrences.
Thanks so much for this very valuable information as my labradoodle has had and still has problems with his ears. I can hardly wait to try some of your remedies.
You’re very welcome! Labradoodles can be especially prone to ear problems, so I hope these remedies help. Be sure to also look for any underlying allergies, as they’re often the real reason the infections keep coming back. Wishing your pup happy, healthy ears!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart (Tino’s, Lucky’s, Kitty’s & Kia’s also!!! 😉 you truly are a saint Andrew Jones!! I try to survive on a ridiculously small pension from Scotland (because I live in Spain!) so I can no longer afford trips to my local vet, who only bullied me every time I saw him about yearly vaccinations etc… I try to keep my two boy dogs (Tino & Lucky) healthy by cooking their meals + a Vit tablet every day and my two girl cats (Kitty & Kia) I feed Royal Canin light (they’re a bit fat 😉 alternating with canned food. I can’t thank you enough for the above advioce about the ear infections because Lucky (a rescued pensioner!) gets one time after time, so I am deinitely going to try the remedies above. Thanks you so much Dr Andrew and God bless you and your wonderful family (human & animals 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words, they truly made me smile! It sounds like Tino, Lucky, Kitty, and Kia have a wonderful home with someone who cares deeply for them. I hope these natural ear care tips help keep Lucky’s ears comfortable. Give all four of your furry family members a big cuddle from me, and greetings to beautiful Spain!
thank you doc andrew..I learned a lot…
I enjoy reading this article it gave’s me more information regarding to ear infection of my dog..I will definitly apply this to my dogs” potpot & lily”..and also to those dogs I have known…
from the bottom of my hypothalamus…heheh
of course in heart thank you….
I love it! Thanks for the smile. I’m so glad you found the article helpful. I hope Potpot and Lily stay happy, healthy, and itch-free. Thanks for sharing the information with other dog lovers too, that’s how we help even more pets!
you gave this advise in a video long ago
and i have since kept our Little Olivers ears clean and infection free by cleaning often with the apple cider vinegar diluted with water and the occassional use of olive oil in the ears.
Thank you Doctor Andrew for the review
from Ollie n Me 🙂
That’s fantastic to hear! Way to go, Ollie and you! I’m so glad the routine has kept his ears clean and infection-free. A little regular maintenance can make a big difference. Give Little Oliver a gentle ear scratch from me!
Our lab has had severe ear infections six he was 8weeks old when we got him. We took him to the vet and he had a horrible case of ear mites. The vet said they damaged his ear canal and now he is 8 years old and still have terrible problems. They have tried EVERYTHING to fix his ear but it always comes back. Now he also has a film on both his eyes. The vet sold us eye drops but the film came back even though we are still putting the drops in his eyes everyday. they look horrible. I dont know if it causes him pain or if it causes him a loss of vision in his eyes? Any help you could give us would be of great help!! Thank You.
I’m sorry to hear your Lab has been dealing with this for so long. Chronic ear infections are often linked to an underlying allergy, so it’s worth looking beyond just treating the ears. The changes in his eyes are a separate issue and should be rechecked by your veterinarian, as there are several possible causes and they can affect vision if left untreated.
I hope you can get to the root of what’s causing his ear problems. Wishing your boy some lasting relief soon.
Thank you for the information on ear problem.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful. Here’s to healthy, happy, itch-free ears for your pup!
Thank You for the info on ear infections I will try the Olive Oil,Garlic and Vit E hope it works on hot spots too
You’re very welcome! I hope it helps your pup’s ears. As for hot spots, they’re often caused by allergies, moisture, or excessive licking, so treating the underlying cause is just as important. Wishing your dog a speedy recovery and lots of itch-free days ahead!
Thank you much. Vet keeps saying, “well bring him back in”, and each time it’s another $70 – $100.
You’re very welcome! I completely understand your frustration. Recurring ear infections can be expensive, which is why I like to focus on the underlying cause, often allergies, and simple at-home ear care to help prevent them from coming back. I hope these tips save you a few vet visits and keep your pup comfortable!
These are great! I’m going to use the olive oil and vitamin E in his ears and the vinegar with green tea. We now take our dog to the vet once a month for an allergy shot and this has made a huge difference in his daily life. No more constant itchy and skin infections.
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m glad your dog’s allergies are much better controlled—that can make a huge difference with recurring ear problems too. I hope the gentle ear care helps keep those ears clean and comfortable. Give your pup a big hug from me!
We’re dealing with a bad ear infection on our beautiful pitty ” blue” her ear infection was severe, know I can take preventative measures and minimize the risk of it happening again.
a million “thank you” ?
Having an ear infection can be so painful, so can you imagine what it’s like to have recurring ear infections like many of our dogs get? One of the most important ways to help your dog is with regular ear cleaning.
We now have a new Dog Ear Wash made with natural ingredients – it has no alcohol so it will not be irritating or painful.
If you have a dog with an ear issue, I encourage you to try it:
Dr. Jones’ Natural Ear Relief Wash For Dogs
EAR INFECTIONS in DOGS
SIGNS
Your pet keeps shaking his head and scratching at the ears. Often you will see a foul-smelling black, yellow, or brown discharge. The ears may be very red and tender.
* Shaking the head
* Scratching at the ears
* Redness to the ear flap or entrance to the ear canal
* Discharge from the ear canal
* Pain when the ear is touched
* Thickening of the ear canal
* Rubbing the face/ear on the ground or furniture
* Licking the paws excessively (a general sign of an allergy)
* Itching or licking other parts of the body (a general sign of an allergy)
* In severe cases, if the eardrum ruptures, the infection can spread to the middle and inner ear causing symptoms like head tilt, walking abnormally, circling, falling over, or pain when eating or opening the mouth fully.
CAUSES
Ear infections are most typical in dogs. Most ear infections are caused by an underlying allergy. Some are caused by water in the ear after bathing or swimming. Dogs with large floppy ears, such as basset hounds, are prone to infections as their ear canals have poor air circulation, trapping moisture and allowing bacteria and yeast to grow. Dogs with ear infections caused by yeast usually have a black discharge; this is commonly second to an allergy. Dogs with bacterial ear infections often have an organism called staphylococcus; in rare cases a more serious infection is caused by bacteria called pseudomonas.
STEP 1- CLEANING
CLEAN THEM. White vinegar (acetic acid)is very effective at removing debris from the ears and killing the yeast and bacteria responsible for ear infections. *If your dog has red, open wounds, do not use this as it will be painful.*
You need to use a soothing topical first (i.e. olive oil and Vitamin E). Dilute the vinegar with water/green tea (80:20), pick up a syringe from a local pharmacy and put 5 ml of the vinegar solution per 20 lbs of body weight into the affected ear.
Natural Ear Wash:A holistic, alcohol free ear wash is a great option for regular ear cleaning, such as Dr Jones’ Natural Ear Relief Wash [https://drjonesnaturalpet.com/dr-jones-natural-ear-wash.html/]
STEP 2 – TREAT the infection
Apple Cider Vinegar is NATURALLY antibacterial and antifungal, so will help with most cases of ear infections. I prefer a 80:20 solution of ACV and Warm Water/green tea. Apply 5-10 drops twice daily for 7-10 days
Sweet Almond Oil in combination with lavender oil is beneficial when the ears are very inflamed, and the ACV will be irritating and painful. 2 tablespoons of almond oil, 10 drops of lavender oil
BUROW’S SOLUTION.This is one that I discuss for use in hot spots, but it can also be used for ear infections and ear cleaning. It is a solution of aluminum acetate in water. It is used as an astringent wet dressing to relieve inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as swelling, allergies, and bruises. Burow’s solution has antibacterial effects, and will inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly found in ear infections. Apply five to six drops in both ears, cleaning twice daily.
ANTI-YEAST MEDS.Medication for yeast in people, will often work in dogs. If your dog has black waxy debris, the ears smell ‘sweet’, then it is likely a yeast ear infection. Canesten and Monistat both work well. Apply twice daily for 7-10 days.
New DIY Remedy includes 2 OTC medications that make up most of the common Veterinary Ear medications for animals:
1. Canesten (the drug name Clotrimazole). This is the most common antifungal used in veterinary medicine
2. 1% Hydrocortisone (Corticosteroids). These are in virtually EVERY Dog and Cat topical skin medications to decrease inflammation in the ear/on the skin
Directions: 1 teaspoon of Canesten
1 teaspoon of 1% Cortisone
Mix evenly in a bowl and you are left with a white cream that looks like cake icing. For skin allergies:Apply topically to the affected skin twice daily for 7-14 days. For ear infections: apply 1/4 inch to the end of your finger. Seat it into the base of your pet’s ear. Massage ear base to work it down the ear canal. Do this twice daily for 5 days for Ear Yeast infections.
STEP 3 – TREAT the UNDERLYING CAUSE (ALLERGIES)
BIOFLAVONOIDS.These are the wonderful group of structures found in the pigment of fruits and vegetables. Quercetin has been effective for people with allergies and may be effective in dogs. Our new whole plant extract quercetin supplement, Dr Jones’ BIOAVAILABLE Quercetin has been helping many dogs
ANTIHISTAMINES.Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most commonly used antihistamine. It is given at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight, 2-3 times a day. A newer antihistamine, Ceterazine (Zyrtec) has fewer side effects, and can be given once daily. It is dosed at 5mg/10lbs daily. It often takes 14 days of using these to see if they are helping.
Herbal Antihistamines: Stinging Nettle is a proven natural antihistamine, and very safe for our pets. NETTLE dose of 1 teaspoon/10lbs daily.
95% Curcumin.At higher levels curcumin stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete cortisone. The standard oral dose of 95% curcuminoids is 100mg/10lbs daily- Our High Absorption 95% Curcumin is dosed at 250mg/50lbs once-twice daily
The omega 3 fatty acids in Krill Oil are anti-inflammatory and can help your dog with recurring ear infections. Krill oil dose of 500mg/20lbs daily. Fish Oil dose is 1000mg/20lbs daily. Our Omega 3 supplement, Dr Jones’ ULTIMATE Omega 3 Formula for Dogs and Cats is a good option.