Like humans, dogs develop ear infections. In fact, ear infections are more prevalent in dogs than in humans. According to the American Kennel Club, every year, 20% of all dogs that go to the vet are diagnosed with ear infections. On top of that, millions of dog parents cannot take their pets to the vet immediately to treat their ear infections. So what do these pet owners do? They learn how to treat dog ear infection without vet assistance.
That’s right – all dog parents should know about many natural dog ear infection treatment options. Knowing these instant, at-home, and 100% natural remedies will help dog parents preserve the health & safety of their precious pets. Here’s a full guide on how to treat a dog ear infection without vet assistance. But, before that, let’s learn a bit about ear infections in dogs.
Do you have a specific question about treating dog ear infection without vet? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Dog Ear Infections: What Are They?
Ear infections are also known as otitis. In terms of the regions of the ears that are affected, there are three main types of dog ear infections or ‘otitis’ –
- Otitis Externa: Inflammation of the dog’s ear canal
- Otitis Media: Middle ear inflammation
- Otitis Interna: Inner ear inflammation
Of the three, otitis externa is the most common because dogs’ ear canals are constantly exposed to external threats.
How can dog owners prevent their dogs from becoming victims of these infections? The easiest way is to avoid exposure to external threats that make the skin surfaces of the dog’s ear unhealthy. Here are the main threats dog parents need to know –
- Yeast & Bacteria: In a recent clinical examination of dogs with otitis externa, bacteria were detected in 47% of all the cases. Overgrowth of yeast & bacteria is the leading cause of dogs’ ears getting irritated and inflamed. These two organisms flourish in moist, dark areas. Hence, dogs with spacious, floppy ears (e.g., hounds and spaniels) are likelier to develop yeast or bacterial ear infections. The same applies to dogs who live in hot & humid regions.
- Ear Mites: Ear mites are microscopic creepy crawlies that your dog can pick up just by lying outdoors or spending time with other mite-infested animals.
- Allergies: Food & environmental allergies are two leading causes of recurring ear infections in dogs. Chronic allergy issues can cause lasting inflammation in the dog’s ear. This can lead to the formation of inflammatory polyps or tumors.
Knowing a basic homemade remedy for smelly dog ears can help dog parents prevent these infections from escalating. So let’s explore the best natural dog ear infection cures for these different infections.
Natural Remedy for Yeast Infection in Dog Ears
Yeast infections are not hard to spot, especially if they happen in the dog’s outer ear regions. There are many holistic remedies for dog ear infections triggered by bacteria & yeast. Here are some of the most effective ones –
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apply diluted apple cider vinegar to the infected regions of your dog’s ear. Use a syringe or a dropper bottle to perform this step. The apple cider vinegar will restore your dog’s healthy pH levels, which in turn will stop yeast overgrowth.
- Cut off Carbs from Your Dog’s Diet: When your dog consumes carbohydrates, its digestive system converts them into sugar molecules. Yeast feeds on this sugar. Removing carb-rich food items like wheat, potatoes, corn, rice, etc., from your dog’s diet can help treat ear infection.
- Ear Cleaners: Use veterinary-recommended ear cleaners to soothe the yeast-infected regions in your dog’s ears. You can also apply a mixture of coconut oil, lavender oil, & drops of lemon juice to the yeasty regions. These efforts will help tone down the intensity of the itching & pain caused by the infection.
Dog Ear Polyp Home Remedy
Ear polyps are abnormal growths within the dog’s ear canal. Unless the polyps are too big, they can be treated at home. Here’s how you can make a good ear polyp remedy at home –
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Use the same homemade dog ear drops mentioned in the previous step. Applying this antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solution to your dog’s ears will defuse the polyps & kill any yeast or bacteria in their ears.
- Coconut Oil: Almost all the best natural cures for dogs’ ear infections involve using coconut oil. This oil has natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Applying liquid coconut oil to your dog’s polyps will kill them faster.
Here’s a helpful video on how to make these polyp-defeating solutions at home. Use this guide to create your own dog ear polyp home remedy. Apply this solution 3 to 4 times a day for at least a week to see positive results.
Otitis Externa Dog Treatment Home
Otitis externa is one of the most common dog ear infections. So, there are many natural infection treatment options for you to choose from –
- Green Tea for Dog Ear Infection: Green tea is by far the most effective home remedy for dog ear infections, especially the outer-ear ones. All you need to do is boil 8 ounces of water. Add two green teabags to this water. When the mixture cools down, put it in a syringe and spray it around your dog’s ear canal regions.
- Herbal Calendula Tinctures: Calendula has antimicrobial properties. Applying it to your ear’s external regions will reduce inflammation, itching, & pain. Just buy herbal calendula tinctures. Mix 5-10 drops of this liquid into a cup of lukewarm water. Use a syringe to spray it inside your dog’s ears.
You can also use grapefruit seed extracts, oil of oregano, and other natural antibiotics to treat your dog’s otitis externa at home.
Home Remedy for Dog Ear Mites
The list of natural remedies for dog ear mites is long. Green tea, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil can all be helpful if applied directly to the dog’s ears. Use these solutions to massage your dog’s infected years. Antimicrobial agents like diluted apple cider vinegar will compel the mites to exit your dog’s ears.
How to Treat Dog Ear Infection Without Vet: The Role of Prevention
Dog parents need to know these holistic remedies for dog ear infections. Even more important is knowing how to prevent the risk of their dogs getting ear infections in the first place. Learn about these prevention tactics. Master the art of creating holistic remedies for dog ear infections with the help of this guide. Once you accomplish these tasks, ear infections won’t bother your pet as much.
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Doghint.com is a participant of several affiliate programs. The list includes (but not limited to) the following: VigLink, Refersion, ShareASale, and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Doghint.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All published articles are meant for informational purposes only and not substitute the professional veterinary consultation.
