Commercial ear cleaners have several properties built in to help reduce debris and moisture in the ears, and are safe when directed by your veterinarian. A DIY that has come through the channels is using vinegar (white or apple cider) as an ear cleaner to help resolve ear infections or as a regular cleaner.
Never put olive oil, vinegar, shampoo, or any other substance in a dog's ear. Also, avoid poking around with cotton buds in the ear, you will only work any wax and debris further in and potentially damage the eardrum.
They can irritate and damage your pet's ears, and sometimes even make an infection worse. If you've search online, you may find home remedies for dog ear infections like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol. These are all bad ideas, because they can irritate the inside of the ear and invite more infection.
Baking soda can be an effective treatment for ear mites in dogs, but be careful not to allow your dog to ingest it. Mix one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of baking soda. Soak this in a cotton ball and use it to rub your dog's ear.
Apple cider vinegar helps by acting as a cleanser and an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. Dabbing this into your dog's ears sparingly can help to clean out the inside of their ears and treat the infection.
Alternatively, for mild yeast infections I will recommend a homemade mixture of 1- part white vinegar to 2-parts warm water as a nice cleaning solution. Remember, before purchasing any ear cleaning solution, please contact your veterinarian for advice.
If your dog has smelly earwax and you want to try the vinegar before taking him to the veterinarian, clean the ears, then apply a few drops of apple cider vinegar to each ear once a day. Ear infections are hard to clear up, so try this for at least two weeks before giving up.
According to ear specialists, a simple at-home blend can be made by making a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. Using a few drops into the ears can help dry out the ear canal and support the healing process.
To clean the ears, tilt your dog's head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside.
Combine a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently flush your dog's ears with the mixture. Another option is to use coconut oil, which has antifungal properties. Apply a few drops to your pup's ear canal, and gently massage it to help it spread.
How to clean your dogs ears with vinegar? Take half a cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV) and mix it with half a cup of water. If your dog's ears are inflamed or injured, the concentration of vinegar in the water should decrease.
In the meantime, there are some home remedies you can try to ease your pet's discomfort, such as a warm compress, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide ear flush, and the use of natural anti-inflammatory agents like coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears.
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common causes of itching in dogs, just behind flea allergy dermatitis. These allergies may also result in ear and body scratching, ear and skin infections and foot licking.
Mix 1 part white vinegar (5% acetic acid), and 1 part saline (0.9% NaCl). Fill the ear canal with the solution, and massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds. Your pet will probably shake his/her head when you release the ear – watch out for flying cleaner and ear debris!
Signs That Your Dog May Have A Yeast Ear Infection
If your dog has a yeast ear infection you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Red or brown waxy discharge in the ear. Itching, scratching & pawing at the ear. A cheesy or musty smell coming from the ear.
Outer ear infection (otitis externa).
A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an ear infection, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming (which can leave too much moisture in the ears), or other problems.
Ear mites are contagious parasites that are easily spread among dogs. These mites cause pain and inflammation, and are often associated with a dark red, brown or black shade of earwax. As with allergies, it's vital to contact a veterinarian as soon as you notice any changes in your dog's earwax.
Ear Mites in dogs
Ear mites are tiny mites, barely visible to the human eye, that live on the surface of ear canal skin in dogs and cats. An infestation produces tiny black specks, similar to coffee grounds.
Saltwater is known as an effective way to reduce inflammation. And saltwater could help an ear infection as well – just don't put the salt water directly in your ear. Instead, add one teaspoon salt to one cup of warm water and gargle it for a couple minutes.
While most cases of ear infections clear up on their own, there are a handful of at-home remedies that can help, like applying a hot or cold compress, using over-the-counter pain relievers or adjusting your sleep position.
A mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol may help promote drying and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer's ear. Pour 1 teaspoon (about 5 milliliters) of the solution into each ear and let it drain back out.