Many people are interested in using apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for a dog ear infection.
Apple cider vinegar is quite popular! There is a lot of information online about using vinegar as a household “miracle cleaner.”
Many people know using vinegar to mix up their own homemade cleaners and furniture polishes is quite popular.
But, did you know vinegar can also be a “miracle cleaner” for dog ear infections?
Vinegar’s Effects on Ear Infections
Sometimes, bacteria, viruses, and fungi invade and reproduce inside a dog’s ear canal, causing an infection.
Ear infections are most common in dogs with floppy, hanging ears.
The reason is because floppy, hanging ears create a damp, moist environment perfect for bacterial growth.
Yes, vinegar is an excellent home remedy for dog ear infections!
Vinegar treats dog ear infections in several ways:
- Antibiotic – Vinegar kills bacteria
- Antiviral – Vinegar kills viruses
- Antifungal – Vinegar kills fungi
- pH Restorative – Vinegar restores the ear canal’s proper pH balance.
However, vinegar is quite strong and you must dilute it properly to use on your dogs ears.
How to Treat Dog Ear Infections with Vinegar
First and most importantly, you must make sure your dog’s eardrum is not perforated.
You should not put any liquids in your dog’s ears if the eardrum is perforated.
If the eardrum is perforated, inserting liquids can cause severe problems including head tilt and deafness.
If you know your dog’s eardrum is intact, you can start the vinegar ear treatment:
- First, mix half vinegar and half water and place them in a squirt bottle. We recommend using a squirt bottle rather than a spray bottle.
- Next, completely fill your dog’s ear canal with the mixture. Be careful not to let the solution get into your dog’s eyes.
- Gently massage the base of our dog’s ear.
- After massaging, allow your dog to shake his head. The excess vinegar solution will come out, along with any debris from inside the ear canal.
You don’t need to swab your dog’s ear but might want to wipe debris from the ear flap.
Apple cider vinegar is best. However, apple cider vinegar may stain white or light-colored fur. If your dog has white or light-colored, you may want to use distilled white vinegar instead.
Vinegar Ear Cleaning Schedule
Treat both ears (even if only one ear seems infected) twice daily for two weeks. For maintenance, dog ear infections are treated once or twice weekly.
If you don’t see an improvement in your dog’s ear infection within a few days, contact your veterinarian.
Want holistic options for your pet’s health issues? Contact us today!
