Apple cider vinegar helps by acting as a cleanser and an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. Dabbing this into your dog's ears sparingly can help to clean out the inside of their ears and treat the infection.
Always dilute the vinegar to at least a 50/50 mixture with water. Use half apple cider vinegar with half purified water, soak a cotton ball, and wipe out the ears until there is no more gunk coming out of the ear.
If your dog has smelly earwax and you want to try the vinegar before taking him to the veterinarian, clean the ears, then apply a few drops of apple cider vinegar to each ear once a day. Ear infections are hard to clear up, so try this for at least two weeks before giving up.
Dab a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and add drops of coconut oil for your dog's ears; it is an effective cleanser. Apple cider vinegar and equal parts water can be used to clean the ears against infection, but do not use this if the ear tissue is raw.
Nelson tells Rover that a 50/50 solution of distilled water and white vinegar is a good at-home option. This maintenance treatment can help prevent infection in an otherwise healthy ear, she says.
In the meantime, there are some home remedies you can try to ease your pet's discomfort, such as a warm compress, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide ear flush, and the use of natural anti-inflammatory agents like coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
Take half a cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV) and mix it with half a cup of water. If your dog's ears are inflamed or injured, the concentration of vinegar in the water should decrease.
Dark brown or black—This type of earwax is commonly associated with yeast and/or bacterial ear infections. It's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian if earwax is this color. Brown—Light brown earwax is normal and expected. If the wax is accompanied by odor or inflammation, it can be a sign of infection.
Signs That Your Dog May Have A Yeast Ear Infection
If your dog has a yeast ear infection you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Red or brown waxy discharge in the ear. Itching, scratching & pawing at the ear. A cheesy or musty smell coming from the ear.
Your solution should contain less than 25 percent vinegar, so you'll need 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Never use hydrogen peroxide and alcohol for ear cleaning; they can damage the ear canal and cause overall discomfort, she warns.
Apple cider vinegar can cause dry skin, potentially worsening itching and dandruff. Some dogs can also have an allergic reaction to apple cider vinegar, worsening skin issues. Apple cider vinegar can also get into your dog's eyes, causing a burning sensation and irritation.
Mix 1 part white vinegar (5% acetic acid), and 1 part saline (0.9% NaCl). Fill the ear canal with the solution, and massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds. Your pet will probably shake his/her head when you release the ear – watch out for flying cleaner and ear debris!
Never put olive oil, vinegar, shampoo, or any other substance in a dog's ear. Also, avoid poking around with cotton buds in the ear, you will only work any wax and debris further in and potentially damage the eardrum.
However, some home remedies such as cleaning the ears with a gentle, vet-approved solution, and using natural remedies like tea tree oil can provide relief for milder infections.
When some dogs eat ingredients such as chicken, wheat, corn or other individual items, ingestion will trigger an allergic reaction that can alter the natural flora and allow an unnatural growth of yeast. If your pet suffers from yeasty ears, attempt altering their diet to eliminate common triggers.
Combine a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently flush your dog's ears with the mixture. Another option is to use coconut oil, which has antifungal properties. Apply a few drops to your pup's ear canal, and gently massage it to help it spread.
Dog ear yeast infections are quite common, and the ears often smell sweet or musty. Usually, you will see redness, which may extend onto the flap of the ear, and the discharge is generally brown.
The Treatment
To kill a yeast infection, get raw, organic apple cider vinegar and make a solution of one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water. This is delivered into the pet's ears, which is easier said than done. The best way I found is to do this with a syringe (no needles).
The Apple Cider Vinegar Method
Prepare a rinse for your dog's ear infection which will kill yeast and bacteria when applied often. Mix apple cider vinegar and distilled water into a half and half solution. If you have a solution bottle or syringe, you can put the solution directly into the ear canal by squirting it in.
Signs and symptoms of ear mites in dogs
Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears.