Home Remedies for Cleaning Dogs Ears

Cleaning your dog's ears with natural household products can be very effective in times of trouble as well as for regular maintenance. The key to success with these home remedies is consistency. You should start to see a difference almost immediately, with optimum results apparent within one to four weeks.

  1. Wax Build-Up

    • Occasionally, wax or oil builds up in a dogs' ears. This can cause difficulty hearing, pain or discomfort and eventually lead to infection. Almond oil breaks down tough debris and is able to work its way down the entire ear canal. This allows all build-up to soften and drain out of the ear. Almond oil also works as a mild disinfectant, killing any bacteria stuck within the build-up. Water-based products cause ear infections when left within the ear for too long, but almond oil is oil based so it's okay if some of the oil remains within the ear for a few days.

      To apply almond oil to your dog's ears, first fill a bowl with warm water. Place a teaspoon of almond oil in a small glass and submerge the glass in the bowl of warm water. Don't allow any water to enter the glass of oil. This will warm the almond oil so that it doesn't cause your dog discomfort. Use a plastic ear syringe to apply several drops of oil to each of your dog's ears.

    Irratation or Redness

    • If your dog is excessively scratching or rubbing his ears, his ears may be irritated. If your dog's ears are red or inflamed, use aloe vera juice to give him immediate relief. In addition, aloe vera has strong soothing and healing properties, while maintaining a gentle composition that doesn't cause further irritation. It's important to use aloe vera juice that contains 99 percent aloe vera, with no additives; you can find this at almost any health food store. Fill your dog's ears with aloe vera juice every two days until symptoms subside.

    Yeast and Bacterial Infections

    • Yeast infections within the ear, along with bacterial infections, are common among dogs. Their ear canals are much deeper than a human's ear and can contain moisture much longer, allowing yeast or bacteria to manifest. White vinegar is a great antibacterial agent that can greatly reduce or rid infection altogether. Consult your veterinarian before treating your dog naturally to ensure the infection isn't too severe to manage it on your own. Insert white vinegar into your dog's ear once a week. Vinegar can be a little harsh on the skin so use it sparingly. Treat the ears with aloe vera juice in between each vinegar application to offset the harsh effects of the vinegar.