If your dog has brown, gunky ears, a yeasty smell, head shaking, or constant scratching, you are probably looking for something you can try at home right now.
I get it. I went through this for years with Ginger.
I’ll give you the natural remedies first, because that is probably why you are here. Then I’ll explain what helped Ginger long-term, why I no longer recommend the product I used years ago, and why chronic ear infections usually need a deeper look than just cleaning the ear.
Home care can be helpful for mild irritation, waxy buildup, or regular ear maintenance. But if your dog’s ear is painful, swollen, bleeding, full of pus, very red, or your dog will not let you touch it, please call your vet. A true ear infection may need testing and medication.
Quick Safety Note
Before you put anything in your dog’s ear, take a quick look. Do not use home remedies if your dog has:
- Pain when you touch the ear
- Severe redness or swelling
- Blood or pus
- A strong foul odor
- Head tilt
- Balance problems
- An ear canal that looks closed or very inflamed
- Symptoms that keep coming back
- Symptoms that do not improve within a few days
A dog’s ear canal is shaped in a way that makes it easy for debris and infection to hide deeper than you can see. I know you’re trying to avoid another trip to your vet, but they can check the eardrum and look under the microscope to see if it is yeast, bacteria, mites, or a combination.
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Natural Remedies for Dog Ear Infections
These remedies are for mild ear irritation, waxy buildup, or early signs of yeast. They are not a replacement for a vet exam if your dog is in pain or the infection keeps coming back.
1. Plain Witch Hazel
This is what I use most often now when Ginger’s ears just need a gentle wipe.
I do not pour witch hazel deep into her ear canal. I put a little plain witch hazel on a cotton ball and gently wipe the visible part of the ear and the inside of the ear flap.
For Ginger, witch hazel has been soothing and does not burn. It can be a nice option when the ear is just a little dirty or waxy and not painful or raw.
Do not use witch hazel if your dog’s ear is bleeding, extremely red, swollen, or painful.
2. Green Tea & Calendula Natural Ear Cleaner
This gentle herbal ear rinse is adapted from Dr. Katie Woodley, The Natural Pet Doctor.
You will need:
- 2 cups brewed green tea, cooled (naturally soothing)
- 2 tablespoons organic apple cider vinegar (rich in antioxidants)
- 5 drops calendula tincture (anti-inflammatory)
Mix everything together and let it cool completely before using.
You can use a small syringe to place 1 to 3 ml into the vertical part of the ear canal, then gently massage the base of the ear and let your dog shake it out.
You may want to do this outside so you don’t end up with the solution all over your walls… yes, I speak from experience on this one, LOL.
Wipe away any loosened debris with a cotton ball, cotton pad, or soft cloth.
If your dog does not tolerate liquid in the ear, you can also use this mixture on a cotton pad and gently wipe only the visible part of the ear.
Do not use this if the ear is raw, red, ulcerated, painful, or if your dog pulls away when you touch it.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Solution (Use With Caution)
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common natural remedies people use for yeasty dog ears.
You will need:
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Filtered water
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
Soak a cotton ball and gently wipe the inside of the ear flap and the visible part of the ear. Do not pour this into the ear canal unless you are working with your vet or a holistic vet.
I’ll be honest, this one never worked well for Ginger. But many dog parents do use it successfully for mild waxy buildup or yeasty-smelling ears.
Do NOT use apple cider vinegar if your dog’s ears are red, raw, painful, scratched open, or have sores. It can sting and make the ear feel worse.
5. Essential Oil Recipe for Dog Ear Infections
This recipe also comes from Dr. Katie Woodley, The Natural Pet Doctor. Essential oils need to be used carefully with dogs, and more is not better.
You will need a 10 oz spray bottle:
- 10 oz distilled water or cooled brewed green tea
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops copaiba essential oil
- 5 drops frankincense essential oil
- 1 tablespoon colloidal silver
You can find all of these ingredients and recommended products in my Amazon Shopping List.
Combine all of the ingredients into the spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
Spray lightly on the ear flap and folds 2 to 3 times daily during a mild flare-up. I would not spray this deep into the ear canal unless you are working with a holistic vet or have been specifically shown how to use it safely.
Never use undiluted essential oils in your dog’s ears, and do not use this recipe on cats.
If your dog acts uncomfortable, the ear looks worse, or symptoms are not improving, stop and call your vet.
Herbal Ear Cleaners I’d Use Now
If you do not want to make your own, these are the herbal ear cleaners I’d be most likely to consider now based on their current ingredient lists.
Ginger’s ears are doing much better now, thanks to my holistic pet care training. So I have not personally tested these three yet. But ingredient-wise, these fit my current approach.
- Earth Animal Apothecary Clean Ears has chamomile, calendula in a witch hazel base, aloe vera gel, grapefruit seed extract, mullein oil, St. John’s wort, and garlic in olive oil.
- Animal Essentials Herbal Ear Rinse lists purified water, distilled vinegar, whole leaf aloe vera juice, vegetable glycerin, witch hazel extract, goldenseal root, calendula flowers, and olive leaf.
- Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash is alcohol-free and includes witch hazel, chamomile, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and clove oil. I do not mind the tea tree oil in a properly formulated dog product, but I would still avoid using it on raw, open, or very painful ears.
As always, check the current ingredient list before buying. Formulas can change, and what I am comfortable recommending today could change later if the ingredient list changes.
About the Before-and-After Photos
The before-and-after photos below are Ginger’s ears from years ago, when I was using EcoEars.
I still want to share them because they show what we were dealing with: brown gunk, irritation, and ears that kept flaring up again and again.
At the time, EcoEars helped clean up Ginger’s ears. I cannot confirm whether the ingredient list was the same back then. What I can say is that based on the current ingredient list, it is not my top choice anymore.
Here is the current EcoEars ingredient list: deionized water, witch hazel extract, denatured alcohol, vegetable glycerin, polysorbate 20 (food grade), boric acid, tea tree oil, ionic silver solution, organic mullein leaf extract, rosemary extract, fingerroot extract.
Ginger’s Ear Infection Story
Ginger struggled with brown, gunky ears for many, many years.
Even when she was eating limited ingredient kibble, she would still get ear infections. Her ears would get red, dirty, itchy, and full of that gross brown discharge. I cleaned her ears constantly and felt like we were always chasing the same problem.
When I switched her to raw food a couple of years ago, things got better. Her ear infections disappeared and her skin looked healthier.
Then, for financial reasons, we had to switch back to kibble for a while.
And her ears got worse again.
I hesitated to share that part because it feels vulnerable. With three dogs, feeding fresh or raw all the time can get expensive. But I also know many of you are in the same place.
You want to do the best you can for your dog, but real life is part of the story too.
Later, when I started my holistic pet health coaching training, I learned how to cook balanced meals for dogs through my program. I started cooking for Ginger, and within a couple of weeks, her ears cleared up. Her patchy skin improved too.
Right now, I still cook for her, but I also supplement with kibble because that is what is financially realistic for us.
Is it perfect? No.
Has it still helped her? Yes.
That is what I want you to hear. You do not have to do everything perfectly to start helping your dog’s body.
What Brown Gunk in Your Dog’s Ear Can Mean
Brown, waxy, smelly discharge is often connected to yeast, but you cannot know for sure just by looking at it.
A yeast infection and a bacterial infection can look very similar from the outside. Some dogs have both at the same time.
Common signs of an ear problem include:
- Brown or yellow discharge
- Bad smell
- Head shaking
- Scratching at the ear
- Redness
- Swelling
- Crusty skin around the ear flap
- Sensitivity when touched
- Rubbing the head on the floor or furniture
If your dog has these symptoms often, I would not keep chasing the gunk with ear cleaners alone.
The bigger question is: why does the ear keep flaring?
Why Ear Infections Keep Coming Back
Ginger taught me that chronic ear infections are usually a symptom, not the whole problem.
That is why we have to look at the whole dog.
Recurring ear infections may be connected to:
- Food sensitivities
- Environmental allergies
- Gut imbalance
- Yeast overgrowth
- Moisture in the ear canal
- Ear shape and airflow
- Immune system stress
- Thyroid or endocrine issues
- Chronic inflammation
If we only clean the ear but never ask WHY the ear keeps flaring, we end up chasing the same problem over and over.
Food and Ear Infections
For Ginger, food was the turning point.
Her ears improved on raw food, worsened when we had to go back to kibble, and improved again when I started cooking balanced meals for her.
That does not mean every dog needs the exact same diet. But food can be part of the picture, especially if your dog also has itchy skin, paw licking, hot spots, digestive issues, or allergy symptoms.
Most dogs will do better with:
- More fresh, whole food
- Less processed food
- Fewer starch-heavy ingredients
- A different protein
- More moisture in the diet
- A true elimination diet
- A balanced home-cooked plan
Please do not just start feeding chicken and rice long-term. Homemade diets need to be balanced.
And if your dog has chronic ear infections, this is something I would bring up with your vet, especially if allergies or food sensitivities are suspected.
Gut Health and Yeast
The skin and ears are connected to the gut.
If a dog’s gut microbiome is out of balance, the skin and ears may show it through itching, yeast, paw licking, hot spots, anal gland issues, or recurring infections.
Gut support may include:
- A quality probiotic
- Digestive enzymes
- Bone broth
- Gut-soothing herbs, when appropriate
- A food plan that works for your individual dog
I do not look at the ears as separate from the rest of the body anymore.
Ginger’s ears were not separate from her skin. Her skin was not separate from her gut. Her gut was not separate from her food.
Once I understood that, everything changed.
Allergies and Ear Infections
For many dogs, ears are one of the first places allergies show up.
It may be food. It may be environmental. It may be both.
If your dog has ear infections along with paw licking, itchy skin, hot spots, chewing, or seasonal flare-ups, allergies should be part of the conversation. You may also want to read: Home Remedies for Dog Allergies.
Want safer, natural solutions for your dog? Grab my free Natural Remedies for Dogs Reference Guide — it’s packed with easy swaps and remedies I use daily. GET IT HERE > >
How I Clean My Dog’s Ears at Home (Step-by-Step)
If your dog’s ear is not painful, swollen, raw, bleeding, or severely inflamed, gentle cleaning may help with mild waxy buildup or regular maintenance.
1. Look First
Before putting anything in your dog’s ear, take a look.
Is the ear bright red? Swollen? Painful? Does your dog pull away, yelp, snap, or hide?
If yes, stop and call your vet.
2. Use a Gentle Ear Cleaner
Use a dog-safe ear cleaner or a product your vet recommends.
For Ginger now, I am focused more on prevention: food, gut support, watching for early signs, and gently wiping the visible part of the ear when needed.
3. Wipe Only What You Can See
Use a cotton ball to wipe the inside of the ear flap and the visible part of the ear.
Do not dig down into the ear canal.
Do not use cotton swabs deep in the ear. They can push debris farther down and make the problem worse.
4. Keep the Ear Dry
Yeast and bacteria love warm, moist spaces. After baths, swimming, or grooming, gently dry the outer ear. If your dog has floppy ears or chronic ear problems, this step is even more important.
FAQs About Dog Ear Infections
Can I treat my dog’s ear infection without a vet?
Yes! Many mild outer ear infections respond well to natural treatments. However, if symptoms worsen, please call your veterinarian.
What does brown gunk in my dog’s ear mean?
Brown gunk often points to yeast, but it can also involve bacteria, mites, wax buildup, or inflammation. The only way to know for sure is with a vet exam and ear cytology.
What is the best dog ear infection home remedy?
The best home remedy depends on what is causing the ear problem. Gentle cleaning may help mild buildup, but chronic infections usually need a bigger plan that includes vet care, food, allergies, gut health, and immune support.
Can dog food cause ear infections?
Food sensitivities and allergies can contribute to ear inflammation in some dogs. When the ear canal becomes inflamed, it can create the kind of warm, moist environment where yeast and bacteria overgrow.
Should I use apple cider vinegar in my dog’s ears?
Only with caution. Never use vinegar in a red, raw, painful, ulcerated, swollen, or severely inflamed ear. If you are unsure, ask your vet first.
Is witch hazel safe for dog ears?
Plain witch hazel may be soothing for some dogs when used gently on the visible part of the ear, but it should not be poured deep into the ear canal. Avoid using it on raw, bleeding, painful, or severely inflamed ears.
How do I prevent dog ear infections from coming back?
Start by asking WHY they are happening. Regular ear checks and gentle cleaning can help, but chronic ear infections often require looking at allergies, food, gut health, moisture, thyroid or endocrine issues, and your dog’s overall inflammation.
Need Help Looking at the Whole Dog?
If your dog keeps getting ear infections, itchy skin, paw licking, digestive issues, or random flare-ups, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.
My free Natural Remedies Reference Guide is a good place to start if you want simple, natural options to keep on hand.
And if you feel like you have tried the ear cleaners, the food changes, the allergy advice, and you are still not sure what your dog needs, this is exactly what I help with inside a Whole Dog Discovery Session.
We look at your dog’s food, symptoms, stress, history, environment, and patterns together so you are not chasing one symptom at a time.
Learn more here: Dog Wellness Journey
Hmm . I never knew about the different types of infections dogs can suffer from that infect the ears. I never had an issue with my pets ears however this Eco Ears product sounds like a winner. So glad your dog found relief and you saved money! It’s a win win.
Fortunately, our dogs aren’t prone to ear infections, but they are miserable when they have them. One of my dogs gets them occasionally as part of her allergies.
Yup, that’s the same with our Ginger, I realized that the ear infections were caused by her food allergies.
This is interesting! I’ve had yeast infections in my ears and my vet said to treat it with drops of mixed water, white vinegar and athlete’s foot and it works, so even vets sometimes promote ‘home brew’ treatments!
Interesting, I never heard that home solution before. I’d be concerned about putting athlete’s foot medication in her ear though. That’s what I liked about the Eco Ears, it uses only natural ingredients.
Mr. N hasn’t had an ear infection despite having floppy ears *knocks on wood. He doesn’t like getting wet though so I’m sure that helps! I do clean his ears occasionally though.
It sounds like an amazing product. I am using an organic one at the moment to keep Layla’s ears clean but will check more into it when it will be needed, thanks for the post
Organic is good, glad it works for your Layla, that’s awesome!
Thanks for this great guide. I think you might have helped me figure out the diagnosis for my parent’s dog’s issues. While a head tilt is cute, it can definitely be signs of something more serious going on.
So glad it could help. The head tilt and pawing at the ears are cute until you realize why they are doing it. Not that all head tilting means an ear infection, but something to look into.
only once did little M get an ear infection and he was about 4 months at the time. Was yeast. Nothing since!!
Little M is lucky! I know most of our dogs never had issues with their ears. But since we adopted our Ginger a couple years ago, her allergies really keep us in check on with her ears and health.
I’ve been lucky enough that my dogs haven’t had ear infections. Wow that looks so painful! But this is an interesting product that I will research further for my canine clients.
Differentiating between the various kinds and causes of ear infections is very important, so thanks for outlining what they are and what to expect. I used to clean my dogs’ ears weekly with hydrogen peroxide, until the vet told me I was actually over-drying his ears, making him more itchy. Eco Ears sounds like a good alternative to other products I’ve tried in the past
I used hydrogen peroxide before too before learning that it’s actually bad for their ears. The Eco Ears has been a miracle for us.
Great info, ears have to be the most prone to dirt part of a dog. Fortunately, one of our girls, Cece, takes it upon herself to clean the rest of the dogs ears. It’s pretty gross, but it’s effective. I still make sure to clean them each once a month at least for preventative maintenance
umm, okay that is gross! But if it works 🙂
Dogs should not be licking another dog’s ears. Their mouth is full of bacteria and this is extremely unsanitary. Not healthy for either of your dogs.My golden retriever has an awful time with ear infections from multiple allergies.We feed no grain single protein diet and prescription apoquel for the itch.Another common allergy can be the dish they eat from….use stainless steel bowls. We will be giving this eco ear a try. Thanks!