Vinegar can be an effective dog ear cleaner that may be used for the periodical cleaning of wax or even to eliminate ear infections. The vinegar can clear the wax produced in the dog’s ears and eliminate possible bacteria or mites that could reside and thrive in this moist environment.
Vinegar Benefits
Vinegar is also known as acetic acid and is an ingredient that is a great cleaner, dissolving ear wax and killing also parasites or possible bacteria. Apple cider vinegar may be equally helpful.
The vinegar should always be diluted when used in the dog’s ears, so as not to hurt the ears, which can be sensitive.
Using Vinegar for Ear Cleaning
Vinegar can be used for ear cleaning purposes to replace other commercial ear drops. The vinegar may have similar effects as other ear cleaners and is a solution that is available for anyone.
Vinegar can be employed as a regular ear cleaner and applied on a weekly basis when performing the grooming of the dog, but may also be used when the dog has various ear infections. The acetic acid can restore the normal pH in the ears if there are bacterial or fungal infections.
The vinegar will have to be mixed with water (1 part vinegar, 1 part water) and applied with an eye dropper or a syringe. However, it is important that the dog’s ears are intact (i.e. the ear drum is not perforated, which may happen if the dog’s ears are affected by an infection or parasites). If the ear drum is not intact, the vinegar may cause internal damage or loss of hearing, as it is an acidic substance.
The vinegar may also be mixed with peroxide, which can also help in the cleaning of the ear.
Applying the Vinegar
The vinegar for ear cleaning can be applied with an eye dropper or a syringe. For better access, you should clip the dog’s hair in the area.
Make sure the drops reach the inside of the ear, close the ear flap and massage the area near the ear, which will facilitate the entrance of the solution. Allow the dog to shake his head and clean the ear area, using some cotton balls. Get some cotton swabs and remove the debris and the wax from the ears.
Avoid the eye area, as the acetic acid can hurt the eyes of the pet.
A reward should always be given after the ear cleaning, as many dogs don’t like to have their ears handled and giving an incentive will make the pet more likely to consider the experience a favorable one.
Vinegar may have damaging effects on the dog’s eye and ears, if the ear drum is perforated. If in contact with the skin, the vinegar may cause temporary irritation.
If used having in mind the above mentioned cautions, the vinegar will not have any side effects on the dog’s health.