How to Treat Dog Ear Infections Naturally: The Awesome Home Remedies!

As dog owners, we need to be prepared in case of any unexpected illnesses like arthritis or the common cold. Not only do you need to monitor your dog’s activities, but the way they feel as well. While they can’t vocalize like a human, they do show obvious signs to let you know it’s time to take them to the vet.

For ear infections specifically, many of us already know what to expect: A ton of itching and head shaking, sometimes even some liquid coming out! As a result, you get costly vet visits and medication.

Fortunately, there are ways on how to treat dog ear infections naturally. Read on as I show you the different home remedies you can try for your dog’s ears.

How to Treat Dog Ear Infections Naturally
Ear infection in dog.

How to Treat Dog Ear Infections Naturally

A dog ear infection has a host of symptoms to watch out for, usually starting with tilting and shaking of the head. It can be followed by odor or discharge present around the ears, as well as swelling and redness to the point of scabs forming.

Ear infections are caused by bacteria, allergies, yeast infections, or even hormonal imbalances. And yes, antibiotics can be a hassle to administer and quite the expense. To help keep costs low but treat your dog properly, try any of these ways on how to treat dog ear infections naturally:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps remove any dirt and debris around the ear area. Besides this, it also kills yeast and bacteria forming, making it an effective treatment for infections. However, if your dog suffers from reddening and sore ears, go on to the next treatment as this might be painful for him!

Cleaning inflamed ear of dog with apple cider vinegar
Cleaning inflamed ear of dog with apple cider vinegar.

Mix apple cider vinegar with equal parts of distilled water, placing it in a syringe or spraying it a bit on the affected area. You can also soak a cotton ball to clean the ear flaps gently. Do NOT use Q-tips, which pushes all dirt and bacteria, worsening the condition.

2. Mullein or Calendula

Mullein is a plant with antibacterial properties that works amazing for most bacterial ear infections. The same goes with Calendula, which offers healing benefits and is an herb used to treat problems around the skin and ear, made best for infections caused by fungus.

You can purchase a bottle of either Mullein or Calendula oil, or you can make your own at home. Just pack the Mullein or Calendula leaves inside a glass jar them pour olive oil and a garlic clove. Allow it to settle for a few days or weeks and use a dropper to apply it to your dog’s ear.

3. Oregano or Coconut Oil

Oregano and coconut oil are both antibacterial and antifungal. Just make sure that you do NOT use undiluted oils, which can irritate.

If you plan to use oregano oil, mix one drop of it with half an ounce of pure aloe vera juice. Drop a bit of your mixture on the ear or use a cotton ball to swab it around the ear flap.

For coconut oil, I recommend that you sauté it with two garlic cloves for a few minutes, until the oil is completely liquid. Let it cool and using a dropper, place about two drops on the ear or use a cotton ball.

4. Warm Compress and Pluck Growing Hairs

When you’re in pain, one of the things people look for is a cold or warm compress to help with inflammation! A warm compress can also work for dogs as well, which alleviates any discomfort and pain, as well as lessens the inflammation.

Besides this, you need to pluck out any growing hair around the ear canal, which obstructs airflow and causes ear dryness, leading your dog’s ears vulnerable to infections.

5. Give Him a Proper Diet and Vitamins

Lack of nutrition can cause ear infections, which is why you need to start feeding them better. Avoid high starch diets that cause a yeast infection, giving them fresher and species-appropriate food to treat and prevent the infection from growing. It should also be high in meats and protein, though it’s best to consult their veterinarian if you choose to change their diet.

Besides this, I also recommend that you give your dog the recommended amount of vitamin C. This helps boost their immune system to recover from such infections while fighting off possible ones in the future.

Learn more about curing dog ear infections naturally of this helpful video:

Wrapping It Up

While these remedies on how to treat dog ear infections naturally are effective, we shouldn’t ignore further symptoms. If the case seems too severe for natural methods to treat, it’s best to take your dog to the vet and see if they need further treatment. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a sick pet!

Hopefully, this article on how to treat dog ear infections helped you find a suitable solution. So if your dog has mild ear infections, try any of these safe home remedies now!

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