Antiseptic and keratolytic (helps soften and peel the outer most layer of the skin, which is where bacteria and yeast thrives) Virbac is also recommended for use with dogs who swim or are exposed to water because of its ear-canal-drying abilities. Additionally, the Virbac cleanser has neutral pH and helps with combating bad odors without interfering with other additional cleaning treatments you might want to apply if your dog is really struggling with an infection. Sally has been a writer and copy editor for Canine Journal for many years. She has 25+ years of professional writing and editing experience. She also has years of experience in public relations, marketing, and fundraising communications, specializing in health care communications. Her past work history and major freelance clients include the UVA Health System, the VCU Health System, the MCV Foundation, and various local and regional publications. Coconut oil has been proven to be both antibacterial and antifungal, and that is why it is the main ingredient here. Place two tablespoons of coconut oil in a saucepan and simmer on a low heat with two fresh garlic cloves. Once the coconut oil is liquid, wait for it to cool down so it does not burn your dog’s ears. Either use a dropper and place two or three drops in the affected dog ear or use a cotton ball to dab into the mixture and clean it.

McEwan, N.A., Kelly, R., Woolley, K., Reme, C.A., Gatto, H. & Nuttall, T.J. (2007). Sugar inhibition of Malassezia pachydermatis to canine corneocytes, Veterinary Dermatology, 18(3), 187-188.For any ear cleaner for an infection, including this one, you will want to use it two to three a day for five to seven days until the infection is gone. After the infection, you will want to keep some aside and clean the ears once a week to prevent future infection.

Dry your dog off after a bath or swim (ears too!) — Again, yeast will overpopulate in a moist environment, even in the ears. Make sure after you thoroughly dry your dog off, making sure to dry the ears and feet, too. All dogs need regular ear cleanings. Keep your pet’s ears clean and healthy with EPIOTIC ® Advanced Ear Cleanser. Designed for routine ear cleaning, EPIOTIC ® Advanced Ear Cleanser supports good ear health and should be an important part of your pet’s at-home grooming routine!This formula made the list because it is made to help reduce any inflammation that your pooch may have experienced from a mite infestation and the product eliminates all ear odours. You can use this cleaner on your dog’s ears daily without the worry that the product will become ineffective or cause problems for your pooch. This vet-recommended dog ear cleaner is one of the most popular and effective solutions you’ll find. It’s excellent at removing wax, dirt, debris, and foul odors while keeping the ear canal dry. With 0.2% salicylic acid and other vet-formulated ingredients, this cleanser is mild and non-irritating and has a low pH, so it’s safe to use along with ear infection treatments. Due to the fact that the water should be lukewarm, it is a solution that needs to be mixed every time it is used to clean your dog’s ears. It is best to soak a cotton ball, then gently wipe the visible parts of your dog’s ears, while not pressing too hard to avoid causing damage. For dogs with larger ears, try using a cloth as opposed to a cotton ball to cover the surface easier. Coconut Oil For Ear Infections Your dog’s ears are not going to share the exact same shape with another pooch and certain breeds are more likely to develop ear infections. Breeds of dogs that have hairy ears or floppy ears are susceptible to infections and will often suffer from issues involving their ears.

McEwan, N.A., Reme, C.A., Gatto, H. & Nuttall, T.J. (2008). Monosaccharide inhibition of adherence by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to canine corneocytes, Veterinary Dermatology, 19, 221-225. Reme CA, Pin D, Collinot C, Cadiergues MC, Joyce JA, Fontaine J. The efficacy of an antiseptic and microbial anti-adhesive ear cleanser in dogs with otitis externa. Vet Ther. 2006;7:15–26.

Homemade Dog Ear Cleaners

Soothes and relieves itchy ears, removes ear odour, removes wax and dirt, and prevents infection. This specialist formula is designed to break down wax and eliminate ear odour. One of the biggest misconceptions is that some individuals think that dog’s ears are just like our ears, but they are not. In fact, your dog’s ear canal bends differently than ours and if you are not careful, you can injure your dog. It is easy for debris and dirt to collect in your pooch’s ear because they have a specific right-angle bend in the shaft and canal.

First, you want to look at the ingredients and make sure to scan them to ensure that the product will be gentle on your dog’s ears and that it will not cause them any pain. Cleaners that include hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or vinegar are NOT ideal and should never be used on your dog because they can cause more pain than anything. These products act as an irritant and will definitely cause symptoms to worsen if there is any inflammation or cuts.If your dog has never had his ears cleaned before, you definitely want to choose a formula that is easy on their ears!