Natural Dog Treatments for Ear Infections

Ear infections arise quite frequently in dogs, especially those with floppy ears (due to the accumulation of yeast in their ears). Antibiotics, as prescribed by your veterinarian, work well to clear up ear infections, but the dog can develop a resistance to them if used too often. Instead, try natural dog remedies before rushing off to the vet.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

    • Cider vinegar works well in conjunction with going to your veterinarian for treatment, according to earinfenctionsindogs.com. Apple cider vinegar help stops the infections from worsening if you have to wait a few days to see your vet. For this solution, you'll add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 2 cups of water and stir. Give the solution to your pet twice a week by placing it in an applicator bottle and spraying two or three squirts directly into the ear. Earinfectionsindogs.com states that making sure you finish using all of the solution over several days will lead to best results.

    Macerated Garlic

    • This is a remedy to prepare well before you need it. Macerated garlic only works with mild ear infections, and you should not continue to use it if your dog's ears become more inflamed during treatment, according to Earinfectionsindogs.com Simply macerate two cloves of garlic in olive oil. Let the mixture sit for two weeks, then strain it. You'll then put two or three drops into each ear every day until the infection clears up.

    Boric Acid and Gentian Violet

    • This solution should be given to an infected pet's ear twice daily for one week and then each week thereafter. According to Natural Family Online, simply take 16 ounces of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or witch hazel, 4 tablespoons of boric acid powder and 16 drops gentian violet 1 percent solution (which will help treat the infection). Mix the solution thoroughly and place in an applicator bottle. Place the solution in the dog's ear and wipe away excess with a cotton ball or tissue.

    Warm Compress

    • If your dog is in severe pain from an ear infection, prepare a warm compress (such as running a rag under warm water) and apply to its ear several times a day. That should help ease some of the pain associated with the infection, according to earInfectionsindogs.com.