How Can I Make My Dogs Ear Infection Feel Better?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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They may

use a medicated ear cleaner or apply a topical medication

. In more severe cases, the vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or oral antibiotics for your pet. Your vet will likely prescribe a topical medication to your dog.

How can I treat my dog’s ear infection without going to the vet?


Apple cider vinegar works by killing both yeast and bacteria

. Use a mixture of 50% organic apple cider vinegar and 50% water, soak a cotton ball and clean your dog’s ears. If you notice your dog in pain or her ears drying out too much, discontinue use and see your vet.

How can I treat my dogs ear infection at home?

How can I ease my dog’s pain?

Among the most common medications your vet might recommend for your pet’s pain are

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs)

, which offer relief similar to your own Ibuprofen or Aleve. PetMD suggests these medications can help reduce pain, swelling, stiffness, and any joint discomfort he may be feeling.

Is a dog ear infection an emergency?


An ear infection is an emergency

when your pet is in pain, you cannot touch or look in your dog’s ear, the ear is red and swollen, and/or your dog has a head tilt. All ear infections should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.

What foods cause ear infections in dogs?


An excess of grain and/or sugar

in the diet is a common causes of ear infections in dogs. Sugar feeds the yeast already in the body and causes an overgrowth, which results in the dark, yeasty-smelling buildup inside the ears.

How does apple cider vinegar help a dog’s ear infection?


Dilute the apple cider vinegar with some water, just a small capfull to about twice as much water, and pour directly into the ear

. Try to let it sit for as long as your dog will allow, scratching and rubbing the ear to help it get deep down into the ear canal.

How do you get the gunk out of a dog’s ear?

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.

What human painkillers can dogs have?

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain meds and other human medications can be very dangerous and even fatal for dogs.

Dogs should not be given ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin or any other pain reliever made for human consumption except under the direction of a veterinarian

.

What human medicine can you give a dog for pain?

A third human pain reliever that clients frequently administer to their pets is

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)

. One of the prostaglandins that ASA inhibits is the prostaglandin that makes platelets sticky.

Does Benadryl help dogs with pain?


If the source of your dog’s pain is an allergic reaction, there’s one human-grade drug that can be administered with confidence: Benadryl

. Veterinarians regularly give dogs a dose of this antihistamine when experiencing a minor allergic reaction.

Are ear infections painful for dogs?


Ear infections are painful

. Many dogs will shake their head and scratch their ears trying to relieve the discomfort. The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs.

How long does it take for a dog’s ear infection to clear up?

When caught early and provided with appropriate treatment, uncomplicated dog ear infections typically clear up within just

a week or two

. If your pup’s ear infection is more severe or is due to an underlying health condition, treatment may be more challenging and may take months to resolve.

How long can a dog go with an ear infection?

While most uncomplicated infections resolve within

1 to 2 weeks

, underlying conditions or severe symptoms may take longer or lead to chronic ear infection in dogs.

Does yogurt help with dog ear infections?

Greek yogurt is particularly helpful for dogs taking antibiotics, which kill off some of the good bacteria in a dog’s gut.

The probiotics in Greek yogurt also fight yeast infections, which can help dogs with recurring ear or skin infections

.

Does chicken give dogs ear infection?

Dogs that suffer from allergies, either environmental, such as pollens (grasses, trees and weeds), dust mites, molds or food (beef, chicken, fish, soy, etc.) are predisposed to ear infections.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Ear mites, foreign material such as grass awns and by far and away the most common is

food allergies

. Food allergies are one of the most common causes of recurrent ear infections in dogs. Food allergies in pets appear much differently than in humans and result in inflammation, often in the ear and GI tract.

Will apple cider vinegar hurt my dogs ears?

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

.

How often should I put apple cider vinegar in my dog’s ear?

If your dog has smelly earwax and you want to try the vinegar before taking him in to the veterinarian, clean the ears then apply a few drops of the apple cider vinegar to each ear

once a day

. Ear infections are hard to clear up so try this at least two weeks before giving up.

Can I put vinegar in my dogs ear?


RaisingSpot.com suggests making your own with a mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, which should help cut through the waxiness of ear residue

. The source also recommends that you screen your dog’s ears for infection, preferably more often than you bathe him or her! Ears should be a healthy, pinkish color.

What is the brown stuff in my dog’s ears?

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.

Can I use baby wipes to clean my dog’s ears?

You don’t need a lot of tools to clean your dog’s ears at home.

Many of the items are human grooming tools, including balls of cotton, tissues, or baby wipes

. Your veterinarian can help you select an ear cleaner that is right for your dog.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.