How to Make a Cleaner for Dog Ears

Keep your dog's ears clean with a homemade ear cleaning solution.

Dogs' ears, whether they are the floppy ears of a Basset hound or the tipped ears of a German shepherd, can suffer from irritated or infected ear canals. These infections occur because a dog's ears provide a healthy environment for bacteria and yeast to flourish. A thorough cleaning at least once a week with the assistance of a homemade ear cleaning solution for dogs will ensure that any breed's ears remain healthy.

Things You'll Need

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Small bowl
• Eye dropper
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• Plastic squirt bottle

Instructions

Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Mix 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2/3 cup of water in a small bowl.

2. Place 1 tsp. of the solution into an eye dropper.

3. Lift the dog's ear flap and place the solution into the ear. Work it in for several seconds with your fingers and do not rinse it out.

4. Repeat this process once a week, or as needed.

Vinegar

1. Pour 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup water into a plastic squirt bottle.

2. Place the cap onto the squirt bottle and shake it vigorously.

3. Lift the dog's ear flaps and place between 1/2 and 1 tbsp. of the solution into the dog's ear canal. A smaller breed, such as a Chihuahua will only require 1/2 half tbsp., while a larger breed, such as a Great Dane, will require 1 tbsp.

4. Repeat this process once a week, or as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a veterinarian if the dog's ears are swollen, red or emit an unpleasant odor. These may be a sign of an infection.

References

• Raising Spot: Cleaning a Dog's Ears
• Organic Pet Digest: Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions and Tips