Home Remedy for Itching Ears in Dogs

Dogs often experience itching in their ears for several common reasons. They may have an ear infection, ear mites, excess wax build-up or it may be caused by swimming or bathing. To treat the itchiness, there are several home remedies people use. If a home remedy does not work, it is important to seek veterinarian care to bring relief to your dog.

  1. Alcohol and Vinegar

    • One home remedy that often works is a mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. To make this remedy, mix equal parts of alcohol and vinegar together in a clean jar. The alcohol helps the liquid evaporate quickly in the dog's ear, while the vinegar contains antiseptic properties to help clean the ears. Fill a dropper full of the solution, and place the solution in the dog's ears. You may need to hold the dog down because it may feel uncomfortable. After placing the solution in the ear, gently massage the dog's ear for about 30 seconds, then let him get up and shake to help him clean the solution out of the ears. Repeat this process with the other ear, and clean the dog's ears each month to help prevent this problem.

    Swimmer's Ear

    • If your dog's ears are itchy due to swimming or bathing, prepare a solution that contains water, vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix one cup of water with two cups of vinegar and one tbsp. rubbing alcohol in a squirt bottle. After each swim, squirt the solution into the ear or soak a cotton ball with the solution and rub the ears. The vinegar helps prevent yeast or bacteria from growing in the ear, and the alcohol helps dissolve ear wax.

    Other Methods

    • If your dog has itchy ears due to bugs, such as mites, squirt warm water or mineral oil into the ears with a dropper or syringe. These items also help dissolve ear wax in the dog's ears. Another method that people use is an even mixture of peroxide and warm water. This remedy is not as harsh as some of the others, but will help remove the wax from the dog's ears.

    Symptoms of Itchy Dog Ears

    • A dog owner can tell if a dog's ears are bothering him by looking for certain symptoms. When a dog's ears itch, it may shake its head or hold it to one side. The dog may also scratch its ears against furniture or on the carpet. Another symptom is a discharge coming from the dog's ears or bad smelling ears. If you try a home remedy, but the symptoms continue for seven days, you may want to call your veterinarian for further help.