Dog & cat ear infections, known as canine or feline otitis externa, are usually caused by an overabundance of bacteria or yeast in the ear. The ear canals in dogs are vertically deep which allows debris, wax, and dirt to become trapped. Symptoms include excessive scratching of the ear, strong odor, crust or scabbing on the ear flap, dark or yellow discharge in the ear, redness, swelling, head shaking, or walking with the head tilted to one side.  Food and skin allergies often manifest themselves as ear infections, so try to determine if the ear infection is the problem or the symptom. Ear infections that are the symptom of other allergies are more difficult to treat and I recommend using the Witch Hazel Ear Cleaning Solution in those circumstances.

It’s important not to over-clean your pet’s ears. Just like in humans, the ear naturally produces necessary oils and waxes that protect the ear from infection. Cleaning removes some of these natural protections and overcleaning your pet’s ears leaves them more prone, not less, to further infection. I recommend a maximum of 5 days of single-dose treatments for infection and only once a month for maintenance.