Ear infections in dogs are very common and if you are a dog parent, chances are that you will have encountered an ear infection in your pooch too.Your dog getting agitated all of a sudden, scratching vigorously behind the ears or shaking his head persistently, are all tell-tale signs of an ear infection.
Ear infections in dogs are of three types – inner ear infections, middle ear infections and outer ear infections. While inner and middle ear infections can be tricky and require a visit to the vet, outer ear infections can be managed and treated with natural home remedies. Let’s take a look at a few extremely effective home remedies to treat outer ear infections in your pooch.
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Warming some Aloe Vera Gel and pouring a teaspoon of it in each ear of the dog helps reduce the irritation and redness and promotes healing.
2. Warm Compress
You can apply warm compresses on the affected ear several times a day for relief from irritation, inflammation and pain. Just soak a towel in hot water, squeeze out the excess water and gently press it on the infected ear.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar can help soothe ear infections effectively. Just add 2 tablespoons of it to a cup of water and give it to your dog at least 2 times a week. You can also cleanse your pooch’s ears with this solution. What can also help, is mixing equal quantities of hydrogen peroxide, water and apple cider vinegar and put the solution in your dog’s ear and gently rub the base of the ear. After a while, use a cotton ball to clean the ear. This treatment prevents the growth of yeast or bacteria in the ear.
4. Probiotic Yogurt
A very good remedy for yeast infections is applying a small amount of organic probiotic yogurt to the ear and to rub well. The yogurt needs to have active strains of probiotic bacteria.
5. Witch Hazel And Apple Cider Vinegar
Take apple cider vinegar and witch hazel in equal measures and put a few drops of the solution in the dog’s ears. It’ll help reduce the pain and discomfort.
6. Margosa Oil
Margosa oil has antimicrobial properties which is what makes it an effective remedy for ear infections in dogs. You can use it to prepare a herbal ear cleaner by mixing ½ teaspoon eucalyptus oil, 1 teaspoon tea tree oil, ½ oz. olive oil and 1 oz. margosa oil. Putting 10-20 drops of this mixture in the affected ear with the help of a dropper, and massaging the ear gently at the base, helps soothe the inflammation and gives relief from pain.
7. Almond Oil
Half a teaspoon of warmed almond oil can be put in each ear to loosen the wax and dirt. This reduces the risk of infection.
8. White Vinegar
Mix water and white vinegar and pour the mixture in the dog’s ear. Ensure that the mix is at room temperature so that it doesn’t cause pain. Care needs to be taken that the amount of vinegar is enough to dry out the excess water.
9. Garlic and Olive Oil
Soak 2 cloves of garlic in olive oil and let it sit for 2 weeks. The stained mixture can be used as an ear drop. Put 2-3 drops in the infected ear daily until the infection clears.
10. Vitamin E Oil or Cod Liver Oil
Vitamin E oil or cod liver oil can be used to treat ear infections in your dog. Just crush a Vitamin E capsule and put 1-2 drops of the oil into the ear.
11. Garlic and Mullein
Mullein extract helps relieve inflammation in the infected ear. Mullein oil can even be used with garlic oil and the mixture can be put into the dog’s infected ear 1-2 times a day for relief.
12. Mineral Oil and Pau d’arco
Mixing equal measures of mineral oil and pau d’arco and applying it on the infected ear 2-3 times a day helps immensely with the infection as pau d’arco is an antibiotic and kills the bacteria and fungi.
13. Herbal Flea Powder
Sometimes mites or fleas can be responsible for ear infection in dogs. After a bath sprinkle some herbal flea powder on the dog’s body. It helps remove the mites clinging to the dog’s body and helps reduce the symptoms of the ear infection.
