Do you suspect your dog has an ear problem? Are they shaking their head more than usual? Are their ears smelly? Dogs have much better hearing than us humans, and as such, their ears are important sense.
However, they are prone to infection or buildup because of the shape. Dogs have long, vertical ‘L’ shaped ear canals which trap fluid and dirt, providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to thrive.
Certain breeds such as spaniels with long, floppy ears and dogs that love the water like retrievers can be more susceptible to infection.
In this blog we’ll look at the signs of dog ear problems, the causes and the best natural treatments.
Signs of Dog Ear Problems
Scratching their ears
Head shaking
Foul smell
Redness around the ear
Rubbing head on surfaces
Head tilt
Swollen ears
Ear discharge
Painful ears
Walking in circles
Hair loss around ear
Hearing loss
Loss of balance
Eye flickering
Causes of Dog Ear Problems
Yeast infection
Ear mites
Dog ear pus infection
Foreign body
Ear hematomas
Balance disorder
Allergies
Wax build up
Tumours
Inflammation
Ear injury
What to do if you suspect your dog has an ear problem
If you spot any of the above signs of dog ear infections, you should first consult a vet. Many ear problems are minor and in the early stages, requiring minimum attention. In these cases, natural remedies can quickly soothe and cleanse the outer ear. After diagnosing the problem, the vet can recommend a natural remedy.
However, if an infection spreads to the ear canal to the middle or inner ear, it can be extremely painful and have serious consequences. You might need powerful antibiotics to stop the spread, in which case, natural remedies won’t help.
More importantly, problems like balance disorders or tumours will not be cured using natural treatments, so it’s important to get a professional diagnosis.
Natural treatments for ear problems in dogs
Cold brewed green tea - Good for: cleansing
Before applying any natural treatment to your dog’s ears, cleanse them of dirt and debris, then the skin can absorb the treatment.
Soak a pure (not synthetic) cotton wool ball in cooled green tea and gently clean the ear. Do not pour tea into the ear as this can wash dirt further down the ear canal.
Once the ear is clean you can apply the natural treatment best suited to the ear problem.
OLIVE OIL - Good for: cleansing, kills mites, soothes irritation
Olive oil is a cleanser and soothes irritation. It helps to remove debris and dirt from your dog’s ears. It’s also good for treating mites as the oil suffocates them.
Warm a small amount of olive oil to your dog’s temperature and apply a few drops to your dog’s ear. Massage it into the ear.
COCONUT OIL - Good for: yeast infections, bacterial infections, heals and moisturises
Coconut oil has so many wonderful healing properties we probably should dedicate an entire article to it. Coconut oil contains acids with antifungal properties, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties which help smooth and reduce swelling, and it moisturises and promotes healing.
Warm a small amount of the oil and apply a few drops into your dog’s ear.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - Good for: yeast and bacterial infections, reduces swelling
Diluted apple cider vinegar is a good natural treatment against yeast and bacterial infections. It works as a natural cleanser and has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also helps to reduce swelling. However, do not use it if the ear is red and sore.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray into the ear.
PAU D’ARCO - Good for: yeast and bacterial infections, relieves inflammation
Pau d’arco comes from the inner bark of tropical trees with powerful antibiotic properties. It inhibits fungal and bacterial growth and relieves inflammation.
Mix equal parts pau d’arco with a mineral oil and apply a few drops to the ear twice a day.
How long does a dog take to recover using natural treatments?
Recovery depends on the severity of the problem. The tissues of a dog’s ears are delicate and can take weeks to heal. We recommend a twice daily application for the above treatments, then, once the problem is under control, apply once a week to prevent further infections.
With most mild cases, recovery should take about a month before your dog is back to full health. It’s a good idea to take your dog back to the vet to make sure the infection has gone and there’s no lasting damage.
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