Does your dog have itchy, smelly, or red ears?

Then he may have an ear infection.

Dog ear infections are one of the main reasons pet owners make veterinary appointments.

Common in our companions, they are also difficult to treat.

Does your dog have an ear infection? Try these home remedies and natural solutions to get rid of it for good.

 

Otitis in dogs: The signs

Before turning to grandmother’s recipes to treat your dog’s ear infection, it is essential to confirm that your companion is indeed suffering from an ear infection, or even just suffering from ear infections.

Ear infections are very painful, and therefore there are many signs that can alert you…

Among them, your dog can:

• Tilt your head to the side of the ear infection
• Shake your head as if to get rid of something
• Scratching or fiddling with your ears
• To have warm ears
• Have smelly ears
• Having fluid leaking from the ears
• Have irritated, crusty or red skin

Extreme cases of otitis can also cause:

• Hearing loss
• Loss of equilibrium
• Walk in circles

If you observe any of these symptoms, do not try to cure your dog with home remedies, consult your veterinarian .

 

Otitis in Dogs: Types

Once you have confirmed that your dog is suffering from ear pain, it is essential to find out where the ear infection is coming from.

There are several types of ear infections:

Otitis externa: Inflammation or infection of the outer part of your dog’s ear (the parts you can see).

Otitis Media: This is an inflammation or infection of the structures of the middle ear. 16% of dogs with otitis externa will have otitis media. It is also a problem in over 50% of dogs with chronic otitis externa.

Otitis Interna: This is an inflammation or infection of the inner ear. Unresolved otitis media can spread and become otitis interna.

External otitis is often easier to manage than middle or internal otitis.

The home remedies below may help you, although they will never replace the advice of your veterinarian.

Ideally, and for in-depth treatment, combine home remedies for otitis with your veterinarian’s recommendations.

As the saying goes: “ Alone we go faster, together we go further .”

 

Otitis in dogs: Causes

Many dog ​​owners complain about the difficulty they have in getting rid of their pet’s chronic ear problems.

There is a reason for this: Chronic ear infections are usually a symptom, not a cause .

Otitis is simply a response of the body which is under stress.

So, and to offer your dog the best possible home remedy, or the most effective grandmother’s recipe, it is essential to identify the cause of the otitis.

Among the most common causes of otitis in dogs:

Bacterial and/or fungal infections

In case of bacterial and/or fungal infections, you may notice a yellow or greenish discharge that is smelly. Particularly painful , your dog will shake its head and try to scratch itself to relieve itself.

Parasitic infections

Ticks, fleas, microscopic spiders… certain parasites can cause ear infections in dogs, which are similar to a type of mange .

Symptoms include dark scabs, itching, tearing, and coffee grounds-colored discharge.

Othematoma

A dog that shakes its head or scratches too hard can cause an aural hematoma . This is a type of hematoma that forms a pool of blood between the skin and the cartilage of the ear flap. Most veterinarians recommend surgery for this problem.

 

Otitis in dogs: Factors

Several factors can predispose your dog to developing ear infections, such as genetics , lifestyle , and sensitivity to allergens .

The race

Certain dog breeds, such as those with floppy ears like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel , are more likely to develop ear infections because these ears trap more debris and moisture .

Air circulation is also less than in a dog with upright ears.

These dogs’ ears will also tend to accumulate more wax , which can promote the excessive growth of yeast and bacteria.

Humidity

A dog that lives in a very rainy environment , or that likes to swim , will also develop more ear infections.

Moisture is the number one enemy of a dog’s ears!

The allergies

A dog with allergies ( environmental or food) is also likely to have more ear infections because their immune system is busy fighting off allergens.

There are many ways to manage your dog’s allergies, but, as with ear infections, you need to find the cause.

Food

Diet is a major contributor to ear infections, especially if you feed your dog processed foods .

Kibble, for example, is high in refined carbohydrates, preservatives and processed ingredients, which can weaken your dog’s system.

A weakened immune system

Along the same lines, if your dog suffers from food or environmental intolerances , illness or any health problem, his immune system may become weakened.

So you will need to get to the bottom of your dog’s problem to resolve his ear infections.

Foreign bodies

If awns, an insect, water or even dirt get stuck in one or both of your dog’s ears, bacteria can eventually grow and the ears can become irritated and eventually infected.

Hygiene

Good ear hygiene is essential to prevent ear infections in dogs.

Better than home remedies, providing your dog with proper ear cleaning is the best prevention (tips below).