Remedies for Water in a Dog's Ear

Water in a dog's ear is usually caused from a swimming excursion. It's important to dry your pet's ears as soon as possible because if water is left in them it can cause an infection. When you remove the water you're also cleaning the ear and removing excess dirt or wax that might accumulate. If your dog goes swimming regularly it's a good idea to clean its ears out about once a week to prevent any moisture buildup.

  1. Cleaning Solutions

    • There are a variety of ear-cleaning solutions for dogs that are designed to absorb any excess water in the ears. These can be purchased at your local veterinarian's office, at most pet stores or in the pet department of your local market. Have your pet lay its head on your lap and turn it to one side where the ear is pointing toward you. Fill the ear half full with the solution and leave it in for about 30 seconds while massaging the base of the ear. When finished, allow your dog to stand and shake the solution from its ear. Then repeat the process with the other ear.

    Cotton Balls

    • You can also use cotton balls to remove water from your dog's ear. Let your dog lay down beside you and place its head on your lap with the ear facing upward. Wipe the inner ear with a cotton ball, being careful not to push it too far into the ear. Repeat with the other ear.

    Homemade Solution

    • Another remedy for removing water from a dog's ear is to create your own homemade solution. You can mix one part white vinegar with one part rubbing alcohol and place it in a squirt bottle. Be sure to shake the bottle vigorously. Use this solution the same way you would use the commercial solution.

    Other Methods

    • You can place cotton balls in your dog's ear before it goes swimming to prevent any water from entering the ear. When your pet is finished swimming, remove the cotton balls and towel dry the outer ears and the inside of the ears that are accessible. If your dog has really floppy ears such as a hound's, turn the ears inside out for approximately 30 minutes after swimming, or even regularly once a week. This will let the ears dry naturally just in case any water has entered them.