No, you should not use olive oil to clean your dog's ears as it can trap moisture, harbor bacteria, and potentially worsen infections, even though some sources mention it as a messy home remedy for softening wax. It's best to use a vet-approved dog ear cleaner with cotton balls or gauze to gently wipe the outer ear flap and canal, avoiding cotton swabs that can push debris deeper. Always consult your vet if you suspect an infection.
Warm the olive oil slightly; ensure it's not too hot to prevent burns and discomfort. Use a dropper to place a few drops into the affected ear. Gently massage the base of the ear for a few seconds to help distribute the oil. Allow your dog to shake its head to remove excess oil and softened wax.
Drop warm liquid coconut oil into your dog's ears every two to three hours during the day and before bedtime. Coconut oil will help to kill bacteria causing an infection. Once the infection is gone, drop liquid coconut oil into your pup's ears twice a week to keep the canal clean and free of bacteria.
It is best to use saline eye solution to clean the ear. Do not use wax removal liquid or other over-the-counter ear cleaners. Squirt enough cleaner into the ear to fill the canal. Massage the base of the ear until you hear the solution “squish.”
Common causes include skin allergies, ear infections and ear mites. Contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice your dog head shaking/scratching their ears – the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.
Ear mites are extremely small, making it difficult to spot them. If you use a soft cloth to wipe the dog's ears, you may be able to spot the mites in the residue. They appear as tiny white dots. Some symptoms to look out for are brown or black waxy ear secretions and a strong odor from the ears.
Dark brown earwax may simply be a build-up of healthy wax. Your dog's ear may just need cleaning. Gently wipe away the dirt and debris with a warm, damp cloth and dry afterward. Yeast infections (candida or Malassezia spp) commonly cause earwax to turn greasy, dark brown or reddish-brown.
Commercial ear cleaners have several properties built in to help reduce debris and moisture in the ears, and are safe when directed by your veterinarian. A DIY that has come through the channels is using vinegar (white or apple cider) as an ear cleaner to help resolve ear infections or as a regular cleaner.
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It is normal for impacted earwax to be difficult to soften, but after 4-5 days it will have absorbed plenty of oil and be much softer than it was to begin with7. Consult your GP, audiologist or ear care specialist for professional removal after using olive oil, and they should be able to clear the blockage10.
Infection: Infections in the ear canal are one of the most common infections in dogs. In addition to redness and discharge, they can cause an unpleasant odor. Yeast: Excessive moisture in the ear can cause an overgrowth of yeast, which will produce a cheesy or musty smell from the ear.
Coconut oil can be used to clean and soothe a dog's ears thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. To use coconut oil on your pup's ears, warm up a small amount in your hands and apply it to a cotton ball. Gently clean inside your dog's ears, ensuring not to go too deep inside the ear canal.
Home treatments for dog ear infections
Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Apply a small amount to the ear with a cotton ball and massage the base of the ear. Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that can help fight infection.
Ear Infection
Olive oil does have antibacterial properties. 4 However, there's little evidence it's strong enough to fight the bacteria that cause ear infections, like otitis media .
Procedure
Vinegar Rinse – Create a mixture of 1/3 apple organic cider vinegar (2% to 2.5% acetic acid) and 2/3 water. Using a dropper, gently flush the ear canal with between 1 and 5 ml of the solutions.
Olive oil or coconut oil is sometimes applied to soften wax or soothe irritation. These oils can help loosen debris but do not treat bacterial or fungal infections. Oils can also trap moisture in the ear canal, potentially worsening the condition if overused or used inappropriately.
The best way to get rid of your dog's yeast infection in their ear will depend upon the underlying cause and may include:
Parasites. Parasites, such as ear mites, live inside the ear canal, causing intense itching and discomfort. As your dog scratches and shakes their head in response, the skin in and around the ears can become irritated and develop crusty patches.
The key is to keep the experience as positive as possible.
Coconut oil is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an excellent remedy for dog ear mites. Warm a small amount of coconut oil and apply it to the inside of your dog's ears using a cotton ball. This will help suffocate the mites and relieve itching.
Dogs with ear mite infestations often have black or brown crusty ear wax. Dogs with ear infections tend to have more reddish-brown or yellow wax build-up. Ear mite infestations are caused by parasites and result in ear wax build-up.
Dogs with ear mites will often shake their heads excessively and scratch their ears. An ear mite infection will cause your dog's ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also cause your dog's ears to: produce wax.