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How to Clean a Dog's Ear Infection

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3. How to Clean a Dog's Ear Infection

Medium 10 - 20 Minutes 1 Day

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Browse Wellness Plan Options Browse Wellness Plan Options The Apple Cider Vinegar Method Apple Cider Vinegar 2 Votes The Coconut Oil Method Coconut Oil 2 Votes

Introduction

If your fur-baby has an ear infection, you'll need to clean their ears to help them recover. If you suspect your pup has an ear infection, consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. They will prescribe an ear solution and topical ointment that will help kill any bacteria or fungus causing the infection. 

Ensure you clean your dog's ears regularly during the infection and once their ears are healthy again. Regular cleaning will help keep your infections at bay. There are several types of ear infections for dogs, with otitis externa being one of the most common. Ear infections, in general, are pretty common, with 20% of all dogs having some form of ear disease during their lifetime. 

Dog's Perspective

Ear infections can be uncomfortable and painful for dogs. Be very careful while handling your dog to apply a solution or topical ointment. Tugging on their ear to open the canal can cause discomfort or pain. Rubbing the back side of their ear to massage the solution into the canal will also likely cause pain.

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Towel Step 1 Prepare Rinse Prepare a rinse for your dog’s ear infection which will kill yeast and bacteria when applied often. Mix apple cider vinegar and distilled water into a half and half solution. Step 2 Pour into ear If you have a solution bottle or syringe, you can put the solution directly into the ear canal by squirting it in. Avoid using cotton swabs in your dog’s ears. A solution or syringe bottle will have a long tip to get the solution into the ear. Step 3 With cotton balls If you do not have a syringe or long tip bottle, you can soak cotton balls into the solution and squeeze it into the ear canal. Step 4 Sit and soak Let the solution sit in your dog’s ears for several minutes. They will try to shake it out because liquid sitting in the ear isn’t very comfortable. But hold their head gently and talk to them or give them treats to pass the time. Try to keep the solution in the ears for several minutes. Step 5 Massage A massage of the ears might help get the solution into the ear canal where it will do the most work. However, their ears might hurt quite a bit, so a massage early on might hurt. If they flinch, wait until the next time you use the solution to massage again. Step 6 Shake Your dog will want to shake his ears at some point. You may want to have them outside when he shakes the solution out of his ears. Step 7 Wipe out Use a clean cloth to wipe out any gunk from the ears. Do not dig deep into the ear, only wipe the portion of the inner ear you can see. Step 8 Repeat Repeat this each day as the infection heals. To maintain healthy ears, clean your pup’s ears every one to two weeks. Towel Step 1 Make mixture Warm coconut oil by slowly heating or mixing in a bowl until it’s a liquid. Make sure the oil is at least at room temperature and not too cool. If you warm it over heat, be sure it’s not too hot. Step 2 Drop into ears Use a medicine dropper or syringe to drop the coconut oil into the ear canal. Step 3 Let it sit Let the oil stay in his ears to clean the infection and the inner ear. Step 4 Wipe Wet a soft cloth with warm water. Use that warm and damp soft cloth to wipe down the outer part just inside your pup’s ears. Step 5 Repeat Drop warm liquid coconut oil into your dog’s ears every two to three hours during the day and before bedtime. Step 6 Keep clean Coconut oil will help to kill bacteria causing an infection. Once the infection is gone, drop liquid coconut oil into your pup’s ears twice a week to keep the canal clean and free of bacteria.

Caution & Considerations

• Remember to see your veterinarian for medication such as antibiotics as well as an ear cleaning solution that will help your dog's ears heal quickly.
• You can make ear cleaning solutions at home using apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water. Apple cider vinegar will help kill yeast or bacteria. Don't use Q-tips to clean your dog's ears. 
• You must use the prescribed solution until your dog’s current ear infection is healed. Ask your vet if you should continue cleaning your dog’s ears after the infection has passed.
• If you do get an ear infection solution from your veterinarian, it will have a long pointed tip in a funnel-shaped top on the bottle. Once you’re done treating your dog’s ears with the solution, thoroughly rinse the bottle and save it for future at-home rinses.
• Remember your fur-baby's ears will be sensitive during an ear infection.
• Try to keep your dog’s paws and claws out of their ears. They will likely dig into their ears with their claws, which may cause additional infection or pain.
• If your dog shakes their head often, their ears are bothering them. You should notice them doing this less often as their infection heals.

Conclusion

An ear infection is uncomfortable for dogs but is relatively routine. Ear infections can reoccur because of allergies, moisture, fungus, and bacteria. Not all dogs need ear cleanings, but your vet can recommend if it’s necessary for your pup. Cleaning a dog’s ear is straightforward but potentially tricky if your dog is uncooperative. 

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question Kalli German Shepherd 10 Years 0 found helpful Question 0 found helpful Kalli German Shepherd 10 Years

I have been dealing with ear problems with her most of her life and have spent ungodly amounts of money at vet to have absolutely nothing work. I am in eed of a natural solution to help her. Something has to fix this..please help!

2 years, 3 months ago Kalli's Owner Question Jazzy Pit bull 6 Years -2 found helpful Question -2 found helpful Jazzy Pit bull 6 Years

I did the apple cider vinegar and water for the first time to my dogs ear I live in a village and we don’t have vets here and she had a ear infection and I wanted to help her out and did 6 little drops in to her right ear and she keeps shacking her ear and kinda keeping it low then the other side. I just get very worried about my dog and I wanted to ask an expert if and when I should worry about her ear

4 years, 5 months ago Jazzy's Owner Question nelson Cane Corso Italiano (Italian Mastiff) 3 Years 0 found helpful Question 0 found helpful nelson Cane Corso Italiano (Italian Mastiff) 3 Years

My dog shakes his head immediately when putting in the ear cleaning solution. How do I get him not to do that, so that solution can work properly?

5 years, 2 months ago Nelson's Owner Darlene Stott Dog Trainer and Groomer 0 Dog owners recommended

Hello, even though this guide is for administering eye drops, there are excellent tips that you can use. Have a helper, put the ear drops in from behind, and try to have Nelson keep his head on your lap after the cleaning solution is put in. https://wagwalking.com/training/take-eye-drops. Read the entire guide through too see if any of the methods will work for you. I think the cleaning solution will still have some effect, even with the shaking, but try the tips in the article I have mentioned here. You can also ask your vet to give you a demonstration of how they put in the solution; I'm sure they'd be happy to assist. All the best to Nelson!

5 years, 2 months ago

I don’t understand why you are putting water in the mixture to clean a dogs ears. Water is the worst thing for a dogs ears.

2 years ago Penny B.

I don’t understand why you are putting water in the mixture to clean a dogs ears. Water is the worst thing for a dogs ears.

2 years ago Penny B.

Grooming Success Stories

Success Ben American Bulldog 4 Years

I tried the apple cider vinegar and water solution last night. My dogs ear immediately turned blood red and looked inflammed and he seemed very uncomfortable. This morning I woke up and the infection was 10x worse in his one ear.

5 years, 2 months ago I actually figured out that the vet prescribes you feminine yeast infection cream that you can get at the drugstore. So I am going to get that today it works the best for me. 5 years, 2 months ago Ben's Owner my dog has a recurring ear infection that’s driving me nuts trying to heal. not sure if you’ll ever see this but i sure would be interested in hearing if your feminine hygiene solution works or not? thanks and good luck! 5 years, 1 month ago Bruce G. I just did same with apple cider vinegar and water solution and my dog’s ear got very red and he is shaking his head . What should I do? 5 years, 1 month ago Olga S. Success Ginger Dachshund 8 Years

My poor Ginger has been suffering for over a year w ear infections and paw inflammation. After several and I mean several trips to the vets and thousands of dollars I finally found this information on apple cider vinegar and it works 💯 its only been 6 days but her ears are 99% healed and her paws are 80% healed!! I also removed chicken from her diet. So happy my dog is feeling better and not suffering anymore! Thank you!!

5 years, 1 month ago

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