Some Vets Say Hydrogen Peroxide Is Okay To Use
Many veterinarians say yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog’s ears, but they advise to do so under medical supervision.
That is, if you suspect your dog has some sort of yeast build-up or other infection in their ear, you should not wipe down the inside of their ears with hydrogen peroxide unless your vet tells you to do so, first.
A solution of one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water can be used to wipe out the canals of the ear with a cotton ball for a dog with a mild infection, post-veterinarian approval. Never use a q-tip or pointed object, as that can lead to damage in the ear.
Hydrogen peroxide can kill forms of bacteria that can cause ear infections, which may leave your dog earache free.
Clover is from Rescue Dogs Rock in New York City. Her life hung in the balance when it was discovered she possessed a fused front leg. Rather than allow fate to determine an unfortunate outcome for this fluffy bundle of joy, Rescue Dogs Rock courageously stepped up as rescuers. Now a happy puppy with fused front legs, she loves nothing better than running around playing with her canine friends – demonstrating that even animals with disabilities can live full, joyous lives.
Mykonos is from Bosley’s Place in Smyrna, Georgia. Mykonos had a difficult start to life when she was surrendered by her dog breeder due to a cleft palate. Fortunately, Bosley’s Place came in and gave Mykonos the care and attention needed for her condition so that she could lead an active lifestyle. Thanks to Animal Planet highlighting this story of resilience we can marvel at how far this pup has come since those trying early days.
Joey is from Vintage Pet Rescue in Foster, Rhode Island. A remarkable pup with an inspiring spirit, Joey found his way to Vintage Pet Rescue after being taken in from a family who couldn’t provide him care. His disability never puts dampers on his enthusiasm for life; he loves playing with other special needs canines and brings joy wherever he goes!
Julius is from Green Dogs Unleashed in Troy Virginia. He is deaf, and is gearing up for Puppy Bowl 2023 under the mentorship of Hank- an experienced deaf Dalmatian who was part of the Green Dogs Unleashed team in Puppy Bowl XVII. With their combined experience and expertise, this pup/mentor duo is sure to make waves!
Mini is from Rescue Dogs Rock in New York City. This courageous pup with an indomitable spirit has never let a handicap stop him. Even though he is tiny, he has the spirit of a St. Bernard! Despite losing a leg at just months old, he proudly runs and plays on three paws. An inspiring testament to grit and determination!
How to clean your dog’s ears
Regular ear cleaning (once or twice a week) can go a long way in preventing ear problems in dogs that are prone to ear infection, and thus reduce veterinary visits. Ear cleaning decreases cerumin (ear wax) accumulation, as well as diminishes the pollen, bacteria, and yeast on the ear canals’ surface, helping prevent an ear infection. Gentle care must be taken when cleaning pets’ ears, as their ear drums are as thin as onion skin and can rupture, exposing the fragile middle ear.
Dog ear infection home remedy peroxide | Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Ears
A dog with big, floppy ears is the epitome of adorable. What many dog owners do not realize, however, is that a dog’s ears need a certain degree of care and attention, especially ears that are large and floppy. Because moisture can get trapped in the ears, dogs with ears that hang down are more prone to ear infections. Keep reading to learn more about keeping your dog’s ears clean and infection-free with common remedies like hydrogen peroxide.
Whether it’s an ear infection or a health issue that requires you to induce vomiting in your dog, sometimes hydrogen peroxide won’t do the trick – and you’ll still have to go to the vet’s office for your pet to be thoroughly examined. Vet bills can be a big expense for the family budget, which is why it pays off to have a pet insurance plan – precisely for situations such as this, that happen out of nowhere and require quick action to be resolved to the benefit of your four-legged best friend. If you are looking for an affordable but reliable plan, Lemonade Pet Insurance offers a basic accident & illness plan that covers 70%, 80%, or 90% of medical expenses for diagnostics, procedures, and medication, depending on the plan you pick, reducing the cost of vet care substantially. And not only that, but you can opt for an optional add-on that covers preventative health care such as wellness exams and vaccines if you want to make sure you stay ahead of any potential health issues down the road. The math is as follows – for instance, you’ll pay $29.50 each month for a 3-year-old Labrador in Texas, with 80% co-insurance, an annual limit of $20,000, and an annual deductible of $250. If you want to add the Preventative package, you’ll pay $45.50 each month. It really adds up – peace of mind is priceless, but it sure doesn’t hurt when you don’t have to pay big bucks to get it.
When it comes to cleaning your own ears, you may have tried a home remedy using hydrogen peroxide or a store-bought solution made with peroxide. Before you do the same for your dog, however, you should take a moment to consider whether it is safe. If you ask three different veterinarians about the safety of using hydrogen peroxide on dogs, you might get three different answers. So, how do you decide whether to try it or not?
Before you do anything, you need to determine whether your dog’s ears are just dirty or whether he has an ear infection. It is not recommended that you use hydrogen peroxide in your dog’s ears if he is suffering from a serious infection or yeast build-up. If, however, your veterinarian confirms that your dog’s ears are simply dirty or that he has a mild bacterial infection, hydrogen peroxide might be a good option. Just be sure to check with your vet before you do anything.
Once you determine that it is safe to use hydrogen peroxide in your dog’s ears, you need to learn how to do it.
Now that you know how to clean your dog’s ears, it should be fairly easy to keep them clean. When you bathe your dog, be sure to keep his face and ears dry – if you need to clean his face, just use a damp washcloth. After your dog goes for a swim, check his ears and dry them with a cotton ball or a clean cloth as needed. Just remember not to use anything that could puncture your dog’s ear drum or cause him any pain.
Keeping your dog’s ears clean is fairly easy – just check them once a week and clean them as needed! If your dog does develop an ear infection, wait for your veterinarian to make a diagnosis before you do anything – depending what kind of infection it is, special treatment may be needed.
According to the American Kennel Club, and a multitude of other resources, you can use hydrogen peroxide for your dog to induce vomiting if you need to. BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN FIRST AND FOREMOST, though.
Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).