Natural Remedies for Dog & Cat Ear Infections

Dog and Cat ear infections are one of the most common reasons pets end up at the veterinarian’s office. For pet parents, recurring red, itchy, inflamed ears can feel like a never-ending cycle of discomfort and treatment failure. But the good news is that most ear infections aren’t random—they’re symptoms of deeper imbalances in your pet’s immune system, diet, or microbiome. And when the root cause is addressed, they can often be resolved and prevented using natural, evidence-based strategies.

Signs Your Pet May Have an Ear Infection

Look for head shaking, scratching at the ears, unpleasant odor, visible redness, swelling, waxy discharge, or signs of pain when the ears are touched. These are clues that intervention is needed—ideally, before things progress to chronic infection.

If your dog’s ears feel slightly warm, appear to be red or swollen but there is no discharge, it’s probably due to underlying inflammation. However, any type of discharge could be a sign of infection and should be looked into.

Why Ear Infections Happen in Pets

Dogs—especially those with floppy ears—have long, L-shaped ear canals that trap heat, moisture, and debris, creating a perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria¹. Cats are less commonly affected, but when they are, it’s often due to parasites like ear mites² or underlying systemic dysfunction.

Standard treatment protocols usually include topical or systemic antifungals, antibiotics, and steroids. While these can provide temporary relief, they rarely address the root cause, making recurring infections a common frustration³.

Root Causes: What’s Behind the Symptoms?

Many ear infections are secondary to chronic inflammation, dysbiosis (microbial imbalance), or allergies. These are common root cause conditions that you’ll need to rule out before assuming your pet will always have ear issues⁴:

• Dietary sensitivities and food allergies (consider food intolerance testing, such as Nutriscan.org)
• Chronic inflammation from ultra-processed diets⁵ (ditch the starch and high glycemic carbs)
• Environmental allergens⁶ like pollen, mold, and dust mites⁶ (consider allergy testing to discover the exact culprits so you can create a management plan)
• Weakened immune function⁷ (consider bloodwork with your integrative vet)
• Gut-skin axis imbalance and dysbiosis⁸ (time to check that microbiome!)
• Trapped moisture or over-cleaning (continue reading)
• Ear mites, especially in kitties⁹ and puppies (have your vet confirm with a quick ear swab cytology)

Prevention Through Functional Care

1. Feed an Anti-Inflammatory, Species-Appropriate Diet

   Commercial dry kibble is typically high in starch (high glycemic “bad carbs”), which can feed yeast and promote chronic inflammation¹⁰. Switching to a meat based, fresh, low-starch, whole food diet can dramatically reduce flare-ups because the diet itself is less inflammatory. Including omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from wild-caught fish or algae supports immune modulation and reduces systemic inflammation. Need some inspirational recipes? Check out my recipe book, www.foreverdoglife.com

2. Support the Gut Microbiome

   Over 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut¹¹ making gastrointestinal health central to resolving chronic infections. Foundational support includes:

   • Soil-based probiotics, which help repopulate beneficial flora¹²
   • Fermented foods like kefir or fermented vegetables, which introduce postbiotics and beneficial enzymes
   • Digestive enzymes¹³ to ensure nutrient assimilation and reduce immune reactivity
   • Prebiotic foods like unsprayed dandelion greens, chicory root¹⁴, and asparagus to feed beneficial microbes
3. Dry the Ears After Moisture Exposure

   Moisture is a major contributor to infections, especially in breeds with heavy or floppy ears<¹⁵. After swimming or bathing, gently dry your pet’s ears using a soft cloth or cotton pad and consider wiping the canal with an astringent such as witch hazel, which also has mild antimicrobial effects.

4. Clean Ears Gently and Only When Needed

   Regular inspection is key. Use a dry cotton pad to assess ear cleanliness. If wax or debris is visible, clean using gentle solutions that avoid alcohol or harsh chemicals.

   A balanced cleaner may include:

   • Organic witch hazel is a natural astringent and anti-inflammatory
   • Raw apple cider vinegar (always diluted) is shown to inhibit fungal overgrowth¹⁶
   • Aloe vera juice soothes inflamed tissue¹⁷
   • Lavender oil in very small quantities as an add-in to cleaners, offers antimicrobial and antifungal support

   How often should you clean your pet’s ears? When there’s debris to remove. You can check and see if there’s debris to remove by using a dry cotton round and swabbing out the canals regularly. Some breeds naturally produce a lot of earwax that can build up and brew problems, if not routinely removed. If you get wax on the dry pad, use a gentle cleaner and as many clean rounds as it takes for the cotton to come out of the ear without any debris. Avoid daily or excessive cleaning unless the ears have excessive wax buildup, which can strip the ear’s natural defenses and promote imbalance.

Natural Ingredients with Evidence-Based Support

Several plant-based and bee-derived ingredients have shown promise in soothing ear inflammation and fighting infections, especially in mild or early-stage cases. Look for pet-friendly products with these ingredients or follow a recipe and make your own.

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
  Calendula offers broad antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. It promotes tissue repair, soothes irritation, and has shown efficacy against skin pathogens¹⁸.

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
  Used traditionally for centuries in ear health, mullein is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic. It’s particularly useful when ear discomfort is related to itching or infection.

• Garlic (Allium sativum)
  Garlic contains allicin, a potent antimicrobial compound effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In properly diluted oil infusions, garlic can help reduce microbial load in the external ear.

• Manuka Honey (UMF 15+ or higher)
  Medical-grade Manuka honey has shown clinical efficacy in accelerating wound healing¹⁹ and resolving antibiotic-resistant ear infections in dogs. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing to raw tissue.

• Propolis
  Propolis, a resinous compound made by bees, is a natural antiseptic with antibacterial, antifungal, and healing properties. When used in alcohol-free tinctures, it can be safely applied to ears for short durations.

• Coconut Oil
  Coconut oil exhibits antifungal and antibacterial effects, making it ideal for soothing itchy, inflamed ears²⁸. It also acts as a carrier for other essential oils used in topical care.

• Lavender and Chamomile Oils
  Both essential oils are potent in small doses and require a large amount of carrier solutions. Lavender has demonstrated antifungal and calming effects, while chamomile offers anti-inflammatory relief and supports tissue healing.

• For Cats and Sensitive Pets
  Cats tend to be more sensitive to essential oils, so only very diluted remedies should be used. Safe ingredients include:

  • Diluted apple cider vinegar for yeast overgrowth
  • Colloidal silver, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial with evidence of efficacy against common ear pathogens²⁰

When to Seek Veterinary Care

While natural care can be extremely effective early on, persistent or worsening infections after 48–72 hours warrant veterinary evaluation. Insist on ear cytology (microscopic analysis of the ear swab) to determine whether bacteria, yeast, or mites are present—and request culture and sensitivity testing to identify the most effective treatment if antibiotics or antifungals are required.

Final Thoughts

Ear infections are often a signal of internal imbalance, not just an isolated issue. Instead of suppressing symptoms with medication alone, consider the bigger picture: What does your pet’s diet look like? Is the gut microbiome robust? Could allergies or moisture be playing a role?

By supporting the immune system, the microbiome, and ear tissue using natural, evidence-based strategies, we help our pets heal—gently and completely.