Most dogs with aches and pain in their ear are diagnosed with an ear infection from either a yeast or bacterial microorganism. While an ongoing condition should be treated at the vet, the majority of minor ear infections can be treated naturally at home.
Here at Dope Dog we care about a man’s best friend and want to provide information on DIY treatments to get rid of ear infections.
Common Types of Dog Ear Infections
Because a dog’s ear is more vertical that humans, the ears can trap fluid, ear mites, bacteria, or yeast easily. There are three common dog ear infections that often have other symptoms that will help your vet determine how to best treat the infection.
Otitis Interna
Otitis interna is characterized by inflammation of the inner ear. It goes away on its own 50% of the time, but sometimes it can cause hearing loss if left untreated. Half the time, otitius interna is caused by fever.
Otitis Media
This is the inflammation of the middle ear that makes up 50% of ear problems. These infections happen when the ear’s eustachian tube becomes swollen or blocked and traps fluid in the middle ear. The majority of dogs don’t need treatment, but they can be painful.
Otitis Externa
This is inflammation of the outer part of the ear, often caused by exposure to water or allergies. Other symptoms include:
- Headshaking
- Swelling
- Scratching
- Odor
- Discharge
- Scaly skin
Otis externa is probably the most common dog ear infection and can be fairly painful and itchy for your dog. To help with the pain and inflammation, you may want to consider a CBD oil product that can help reduce inflammation and pain.
What are Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections?
Infection is painful and uncomfortable, which can make it noticeable. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Smelly ears
- Waxy discharge
- Rubbing of ears
- Scratching the ears and shaking
- Irritation
- Red skin inside the ear flap
- Head tilting towards the side of the infection
Some chronic cases might cause hearing loss, imbalance, and walking in circles. Therefore the first step in the treatment of the infection is to understand the holistic view of the problem. There are over counter drugs such as vaccines and pesticides, but that may not adequately treat the dog because of the wrong dosage and prescriptions.
It is essential to understand the underlying cause behind a dog ear infection because that is the clue to the proper treatment regime.
Causes of Dog Ear Infections
With that in mind, here are some causes of ear issues:
Weakened Immune System
Dogs with weakened immune systems are susceptible to developing an infection. If you think your dog might be sick, check for:
These could be signs of bigger health concerns, many of which can lead to ear infections.
Excessive Ear Cleaning
Some pet owners may excessively clean the ears with constant rubbing, and they are unaware that this can cause inflammation and skin irritation. While under-cleaning can lead to a build-up of bacteria, excessively cleaning your dog’s ears can actually strip their ears of healthy wax, leading to irritation.
The length of time it takes for a dog’s ears to get dirty enough to warrant a cleaning depends on:
- The shape and size of their ears
- The dog’s breed
- Activity level
Dogs who play in dirt or water will need their ears cleaned more often.
Lifestyle
Exposing your dog to a more natural lifestyle is a way to prevent them from developing an ear infection. Here are some of the lifestyle choices that can prevent a dog from contracting infection:
- Avoid exposure to chemicals and pesticides in the environment.
- Be cautious with pharmaceutical drugs.
- Feed the dog with a raw diet, whole foods, or dog food with healthy ingredients.
Diet
A bad diet can contribute to ear infections because it introduces various microorganisms to the dog’s body, which develops large colonies in the guts leading to inflammation. As time goes by, the yeast or bacteria can manifest in your dog's ears.
A lot of dog owners looking to keep their companion healthier turn to home-cooked meals. This includes:
- Lean chicken and turkey
- Steamed vegetables
- Eggs
- Organic peanut butter
Would you like to feed your dog home-cooked meals? Here’s some more information about dog-friendly diets.
Related Link: Foods Your Dogs Should Never Eat
Homeopathic Treatments and Remedies for Dog Ear Infections
Before you can treat your dog’s ear infection, you need to determine whether they have a yeast ear infection or bacterial microbial ear infection. To diagnose the ear infection, you should talk to your vet.
Treating Yeast Ear Infection
If your dog has a mild yeast ear infection, you can try these homeopathic remedies for dog ear infections:
Using Distilled Water and Vinegar
The first step is to create a mixture that contains a diluted solution of distilled water and apple cider vinegar at a 1:1 ratio. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture, and use it to clean the ear.
However, if it is a bacterial infection, don’t use this method because vinegar will sting the dog, making him uncomfortable. It’s critical to identify the cause of the infection before treating it at home or you may cause more pain for your dog.
Using Coconut Oil for Dog Ear Infection
The coconut oil mixture is also appropriate when treating yeast infections. It involves making a solution of coconut oil and garlic cloves by simmering it and giving it approximately 15 minutes to cool.
Use a dropper and squeeze two to three drops in the ear while massaging it for 3 minutes. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture and swab the inner part of the ear. Coconut oil contains antifungal properties that can clear the yeast infection, and it's available in any local food store.
Want a natural solution for inflammation and pain? Shop Dope Dog CBD Calming Dog Treats to manage your dog’s ear infection pain.
Related Link: 6 Facts Your Vet Wished You Knew About Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Natural Remedies for Bacterial and Mite Infections
If your dog has a mild bacterial or microbial ear infection, you can try these homeopathic remedies for dog ear infections:
Using Basic Ear Cleaner
Use lukewarm water and hydrogen peroxide to prepare a solution then squeeze four to five drops in the affected ear while massaging the base of the ear to loosen the ear wax, cleaning it with a cotton ball.
Alternatively, plantain tincture can be appropriate because it is a natural antibiotic, especially if you don't prefer using hydrogen peroxide. All of these products are available at local drugstores and pharmacies, and it works well on bacteria and mite infection.
Use Calendula Oil to Remove Mites or Bacteria
Removing the bacteria or mites is simple because all you need is a glass jar of calendula flowers filled with olive oil. Leave this jar for a couple of days for the oil to absorb the calendula then use a liquid dropper to squeeze five drops of this mixture on the affected area.
Wait for approximately one minute then clean the cotton swab. Calendula is very reliable when it comes to bacterial infection, and it works great on the removal of mites, which could have been a possible cause of the infection.
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is best used on damp ears after the dog has taken a bath or swim. Wet ears make the dog susceptible to developing ear infections, so it is essential to use boric acid to massage the base of the ear.
It is also vital to know that this substance is poisonous, and it should not come into contact with the nose or mouth, so be cautious when using it.
If you happen to notice foreign objects in the dog’s ears, try to remove it using your fingers or tweezers. Alternatively, homeopathic silica can also help to extract it.
Prevention of Ear Infections
Before you think of any treatment methods, you should start by focusing on preventive measures. You can swab the ear canal once a month using olive oil to remove the build-up of wax, which could have led to infections.
Additionally, your dog groomer should not pluck the inner ear hair because, by doing so, leaves small open sores, which can result in bacterial infection.
It is essential to feed the dog with hypoallergenic dog food to prevent skin irritation or allergic reactions. Finally, if the infection doesn't clear up with natural treatment, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for other underlying causes.
Bottom Line
Don’t stress yourself with expensive medication yet; it's best to try something natural and affordable such as home remedies that can be useful in curing your four-legged companion's ear infection.
Here at Dope Dog, there is nothing we care about more than your dog’s health. Read our story here and find out what our products can do to help treat common ailments. Dope Dog’s CBD treats, shampoos, and oils can help calm your dog while providing added nutrients to boost their immune system.
Related Link: Giving Your Dog a Flea Bath: The Ultimate Guide
