Ear infections in dogs and cats are quite common. Causes of ear infections include bacteria, fungus, and ear mites. A pet with an ear infection is likely to be shaking his head, scratching at his ears, or showing some other sign of discomfort. The inside of the ear may have a black substance in it, black dots (signs of mites), or redness or swelling.
Earth Clinic contributors have found that apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural treatment for ear infections of a variety of causes. It is often useful even for infections that are chronic and have not responded to antibiotic treatment.
How Do I Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat a Dog's Ear Infection
Apple cider vinegar must be diluted to use in pet's ears! Use one part apple cider and one part water.
Fill a spray bottle, squirt bottle, or bulb syringe with your diluted apple cider vinegar solution.
Spray or irrigate (flush) out the ear. Cotton balls may help clean out any "gunk" in your pet's ears.
Ears should be cleaned at least once and preferably twice a day with the apple cider vinegar solution until your pet has relief. Treatment should be continued a day or two after symptoms subside.
Pets that regularly go swimming ought to have their ears cleaned with the apple cider vinegar solution after each swim to prevent ear infections.
Apple Cider Vinegar Solution Recipe:
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (raw and organic is ideal, but it seems to work well to use regular apple cider vinegar in this recipe.)
1/2 cup water (Ideally distilled, spring, or filtered water. If you use tap water, it should be boiled and cooled first. This will help the solution to last longer and avoid introducing any new contaminants to your pet's ears.)
Store in a clean jar or spray bottle.
Cautions:
If your dog or cat has sensitive ears, broken skin in the ear, or an allergy to apple cider vinegar, this solution could cause irritation. In this case, you can dilute the solution further. (Use just a few drops of a solution of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water.) If an allergy is suspected, you should not use apple cider vinegar at all. ...
Ear infections in dogs and cats are quite common. Causes of ear infections include bacteria, fungus, and ear mites. A pet with an ear infection is likely to be shaking his head, scratching at his ears, or showing some other sign of discomfort. The inside of the ear may have a black substance in it, black dots (signs of mites), or redness or swelling.
Earth Clinic contributors have found that apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural treatment for ear infections of a variety of causes. It is often useful even for infections that are chronic and have not responded to antibiotic treatment.
How Do I Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat a Dog's Ear Infection
Apple cider vinegar must be diluted to use in pet's ears! Use one part apple cider and one part water.
Fill a spray bottle, squirt bottle, or bulb syringe with your diluted apple cider vinegar solution.
Spray or irrigate (flush) out the ear. Cotton balls may help clean out any "gunk" in your pet's ears.
Ears should be cleaned at least once and preferably twice a day with the apple cider vinegar solution until your pet has relief. Treatment should be continued a day or two after symptoms subside.
Pets that regularly go swimming ought to have their ears cleaned with the apple cider vinegar solution after each swim to prevent ear infections.
Apple Cider Vinegar Solution Recipe:
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (raw and organic is ideal, but it seems to work well to use regular apple cider vinegar in this recipe.)
1/2 cup water (Ideally distilled, spring, or filtered water. If you use tap water, it should be boiled and cooled first. This will help the solution to last longer and avoid introducing any new contaminants to your pet's ears.)
Store in a clean jar or spray bottle.
Cautions:
If your dog or cat has sensitive ears, broken skin in the ear, or an allergy to apple cider vinegar, this solution could cause irritation. In this case, you can dilute the solution further. (Use just a few drops of a solution of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water.) If an allergy is suspected, you should not use apple cider vinegar at all.
If your pet experiences irritation from this solution, you can use coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, or castor oil to soothe the ear.
Please scroll down to read Earth Clinic reader feedback about the use of apple cider vinegar solution for ear infections in their pets. Have you tried apple cider vinegar solution for your cat or dog's ear infections? Please let us know how it worked for you!
