Ear Medicine for Dogs

Ensure your pet's ear health at home with ear medicine for dogs. Keeping your pet's ears clean and free of debris, too much wax, and bacteria will help to prevent ear infections that cause inflammation, redness, odor, and itching.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog has an ear infection?

The most common symptom of ear infections in dogs is excessive scratching of the ear. When a dog has an ear infection, it’ll scratch its ears more than usual either directly, via head shaking, or by rubbing them against objects like carpet and furniture. Other signs of ear infections in dogs include:

  • Musty odor
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Redness
  • Scaly skin
  • Discharge

Ear infections can worsen without treatment, traveling deeper into the ear canal, affecting your dog's ability to hear, and can eventually lead to deafness. Therefore, getting your pet treatment as soon as possible is essential. 

What ear medicine can I give my dog?

There are a few different types of dog ear medicine to choose from, depending on the cause of the infection. Also, depending on your dog's temperament, you can choose between drops or ear ointment for dogs, which is thicker and may be easier to apply. A few ear meds for dogs include the following:

  • Douxo Micellar Solution: Douxo is a cleanser that can clean skin folds and removes waxy debris from the ears. 
  • Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone: This ear medicine for dogs contains three antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral enzymes to destroy bacteria and yeast that cause ear infections. Meanwhile, hydrocortisone reduces pain and itchiness on contact to prevent scratching that can lead to a worsening infection.
  • Vedco Swimmer's Ear Astringent: Vedco is a drying gel and deodorant that prevents excessive moisture in dogs' ears that can contribute to yeast and bacterial growth. If your dog loves to swim or gets water in their ear from a bath, applying Vedco can prevent ear infections. 
  • Otomite Plus: Otomite Plus treats ear mites in dogs that can cause itchiness. 

How can I prevent ear infections in my dog?

Unfortunately, you can't always prevent ear infections in dogs because there are many causes. Dogs with allergies are more likely to suffer from ear infections, so you can try to limit allergens in their environment. In addition to providing your dog with a clean environment, you should clean its ears regularly to remove wax buildup, bacteria, and yeast. 

In addition, you should know the first signs of ear infections in dogs to treat them as soon as possible to prevent pain and discomfort. The earlier your dog is treated, the fewer symptoms it may experience. 

What can I do if an ear infection is causing my dog pain?

If an ear infection is causing your dog pain, you should consult a vet as soon as possible. Ear infections are extremely painful for dogs and can affect their quality of life. In addition, you can give your pet ear drops with hydrocortisone to reduce the inflammation causing their ear pain. 

If you believe your dog has an ear infection, don't wait to get treatment because they can progress and eventually cause severe pain, facial drooping, loss of coordination, and deafness. Get care with Dutch to find the proper treatment for your dog's ear infection. We can diagnose and treat a wide range of common dog health issues. Whether you need flea, allergy, anxiety, anti-itch, or ear medicine for dogs, we can ensure your pooch gets the right treatment.