Yes, you can treat many dog ear infections at home if you catch them early.
The #1 remedy I recommend (and still use years later) is EcoEars, which cleared up Ginger’s chronic ear infections in just a few days.
Other natural options include a green tea and apple cider vinegar rinse, calendula drops, or herbal ear washes.
However, remember that recurring infections are often a sign of allergies or other underlying health issues, so prevention is just as important as treatment.
Does your dog shake their head constantly, scratch at their ears, or have that awful brown gunk and smell coming from inside?
I’ve been there. With Ginger, our allergy-prone pup, ear infections were a never-ending battle. I’ll never forget the piles of brown gunk I pulled out of her ears every single day. The redness, the scratching, the head shaking… it was miserable for her and heartbreaking for me.
That’s when I started my journey of trying every natural remedy I could find, desperate to help her without running to the vet for yet another prescription that only offered short-term relief. After a lot of trial and error, I finally found something that worked.
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Treating Your Dog’s Ear Infection at Home
First things first: if you’re ever unsure, call your vet. Severe infections, especially those deep in the middle or inner ear, often need professional care. But for the majority of common yeast or bacterial infections, you can safely start treatment at home.
Here are the remedies I’ve tried, trusted, and recommend:
1. EcoEars by Vet Organics (My #1 Recommendation)
I was on the verge of another expensive vet visit when I found EcoEars on Chewy, an over-the-counter ear infection treatment. Six-plus years later, it’s still my go-to.
- Works on yeast infections, bacterial infections, and even ear mites
- Relief is often available within 24 to 48 hours
- 93.7% reported success rate
- Costs a fraction of a vet visit
After just a couple of days using EcoEars on Ginger, the redness disappeared, the gunk lessened, and she finally had relief. Today, I still use it monthly as a maintenance treatment for all our dogs.
Ingredients: Denatured Grain Alcohol, Organic Mullein Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Rosemary Extract, Ionic Silver Solution, Boric Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, Tea Tree Oil, Polysorbate 20 (Food Grade).
I wish I had better pictures, but this shows what Ginger’s ears looked like and the amount of brown gunk I cleaned out every day BEFORE using the EcoEars.
Here is what Ginger’s ears look like today, infection-free! And I owe it all to EcoEars.
2. Green Tea Natural Ear Cleaner
Green tea is naturally soothing, apple cider vinegar is rich in antioxidants, and calendula is anti-inflammatory.
- 2 cups brewed green tea
- 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
- 5 drops of calendula
Mix, cool, and gently syringe 1–3 ml into the ear canal. Massage your dog, then let them shake it out.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Solution (Use With Caution)
- 50% organic apple cider vinegar
- 50% water
Soak a cotton ball and gently wipe the inside of the ear. Do not use it if your ears are red or have sores, as it may cause irritation or burning. This never worked for Ginger, but many dog owners swear by it.
4. Herbal Ear Wash Options
These medicated cleansers come highly recommended by holistic veterinarians:
- Earth Animal Apothecary Clean Ears (chamomile, calendula, aloe, witch hazel, and more)
- Zymox Plus Advanced Formula (with hydrocortisone)
- EcoEars by Vet Organics (mullein leaf, witch hazel, rosemary, and more)
5. Essential Oils for Dog Ear Infections
Credit for this one goes to Dr. Katie with The Natural Pet Doctor.
- 10 oz. of distilled water or brewed green tea (cooled)
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of copaiba essential oil
- 5 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of colloidal silver
Spray 2–3 times daily until the infection clears.
You can find all of these ingredients and recommended products in my Amazon List: Natural Home Remedies for Dogs with Ear Infections.
DO NOT USE Hydrogen peroxide. It irritates and inflames the ear canal, making infections worse.
Why Ear Infections Keep Coming Back
This is what I learned with Ginger: ear infections are often a symptom of something bigger, usually allergies. Once we put her on an elimination diet, her chronic infections finally slowed down.
Food = medicine for dogs, too. I now feed my dogs raw/fresh food whenever possible, which helps keep them healthier in the long term.
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 > >
Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections
- Head shaking
- Redness
- Brown/black waxy gunk
- Foul odor
- Tilting head
- Swelling or pawing at the ears
Causes of Dog Ear Infections
- Allergies
- Bacteria or yeast overgrowth
- Ear mites
- Excess moisture
- Thyroid or endocrine disorders
- Excessive cleaning or injury
How I Clean My Dog’s Ears at Home (Step-by-Step)
- Soak a cotton ball or Q-tip with EcoEars, then gently remove the gunk.
- Pour the solution (I use the cap as a scoop), massage it, and let the dog shake.
- Repeat twice daily for 10 days.
- Monthly maintenance with a cotton ball wipe.
When to Go to the Vet
If your dog has:
- Severe swelling or pain
- Recurring infections that don’t improve in a few days
- Signs of middle or inner ear infection (loss of balance, walking in circles)
…please call your vet. Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough.
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, such as EcoEars or herbal rinses. However, if symptoms worsen, please call your veterinarian.
Are home remedies safe?
Yes, if used correctly. Never use vinegar on raw/red ears, and avoid hydrogen peroxide altogether.
How do I prevent ear infections?
Regular cleaning, keeping ears dry, and addressing allergies/diet are key.
Can allergies cause ear infections?
Absolutely. Food and environmental allergies are a leading cause of recurring infections.
Final Thoughts
Watching Ginger suffer through chronic ear infections taught me two things:
- EcoEars is the fastest, most effective home treatment I’ve ever used.
- Long-term health (diet, allergies, and natural prevention) is just as important as short-term fixes.
If your dog is struggling, start with a safe home remedy and grab my free Natural Remedies for Dogs Guide so you have holistic tools ready for the next time.
Thank you incredibly much! Your advice was extremely helpful in treating my dog's ear problem.
Where do you buy this at
I get mine online at Chewy here: https://prf.hn/l/75ZDJ5x
My Lab,Boomer, is almost 16 yrs old. I rescued him when he was 7 months and have loved my best friend ever since. I have 2 other rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats. Boomer is the only one who has a problem with his ears. And like you I have tried everything from store bought to dig ear products and to no avail. I don't get alot of gunk from his ears just a bit yet they feel hot to the touch. And not always but just when he's shaking his head. Drs didn't find any infection or any other problems but it has to be something! What would you suggest? I had a bully rescue centre for 13 years and always just used either oregano oil and coconut oil mixture of olive oil. That usually worked but is not helping Boomer.
It could be a sign of something else going on health-wise. At this point you will need to become a bit of a detective. Try eliminating foods and environmental allergens that may trigger the hot ears.
where do you buy eco ears?
You can get it on Chewy or Amazon.
My miniature schnauzer constantly has one ear with yeast infection. I'm curious what food did you change to. I've tried everything. Even made homemade food for 6 months. With just chicken thighs, steams vegetables and brown rice. Still no change.
Chicken is the number one allergen to most dogs. I did a food elimination diet for our dog and found she was sensitive to everything but fish. We feed her Zignature now, rotate between the three fish proteins they have. Make sure to check any treats too. Consider other household environmental allergies… laundry soap, floor cleaners, etc. Read Does My Dog Have Allergies?
In all my research and many vet discussions, “corn”, is at the top of the list of allergies also. Never had issues with chicken for any of my foster, rescue or adopted dogs.
Yes, thank you… and corn is in a lot of dog food!
I took my 12 yr old Shihtzu to a new vet last week for a checkup and advice. She had severe allergies for the first five years of her life and it took 3 different vets before I found one who did not prescribe Cytopoint and Apoquel as treatment. The 3rd vet suggested she may have food allergies. She put Cookie on a 6 week diet of pinto beans and sweet potato to calm her system down. We discovered a crap load of grain allergies. I located an air dried meat product consisting of meat ground bone and organs. TRMC @Amazon. Expensive but her skin and ears cleared up right away.
We moved to southern Az from Alaska last year. Her food never changed but she went from drinking snow melt water to hard alkaline groundwater. Last June she fell ill and ended up with bladder stone surgery. She was placed on bladder stone food from Royal Canin (ingredients included flax and other things Cookie is allergic to.) Suddenly she began all over severe itching, ear infections paw licking etc. I began making her food with low oxalic levels but the symptoms did not go away.
The new vet prescribed a food by Royal Canin especially developed for allergies (hydrolyzed protein) and bladder stones. I checked ingredients and no allergic ingredients. I also give her only distilled water and quercitin. She is beginning to heal but it will take time.
I use coconut oil and it’s gentle, anti bacterial clears up the redness almost over night. It really work well
Why didn’t I think of that!!! Thank you for the tip.
I also use this for my dog who had chronic ear infections. I clean his ears one a week and no more vet visits for his ears. Has been a lifesaver.
Use what, please? Thank you so much!
I think she’s referring to the Eco Ears mentioned in the article.
What does the product contain what are the ingredients? I'm clearing brown gunk everyday using coder vinegar and olive oil and witch hazel to soothe he loves having it done.
VetOrganics list their ingredients on their website here. Witch hazel extract is one of the ingredients.
I’m going to definitely try this. Curious to know what food you switched her to?
Ginger eats Zignature brand, I rotate between their fish based protein foods.
Hi what food did you change your dog too please
We are feeding Ginger to Zignature Whitefish. Zignature has other limited ingredient foods, so you will need to find the protein your dog does well on.