homemade dog ear cleaner recipe

Someone recently asked me for my recipe for homemade dog ear cleaner. Or maybe I just promised it to someone. I can’t remember. Anyway…

Here is my recipe for an ear cleaner that keeps my long-eared IWS ears clean and smelling sweet. I use it after they’ve gone swimming and whenever their ears start to smell a bit off. It’s not to be used to treat medical conditions or infections, though. For that you need to go to your veterinarian.

The recipe is not original with me. I’ve found many variations on the web, particularly on the websites or Internet forums dedicated to spaniels and other long-eared dogs.

In a 16 oz. squirt bottle, mix:

1 cup witch hazel*
1/8 tsp. aloe vera juice concentrate plus 1/4 cup water**
2 Tbs. white vinegar
1 tsp. boric acid powder
Fill the remainder of the bottle with water
Shake vigorously until the boric acid powder dissolves (this will take a few minutes)

If you object to a bit of wet mess or the smell of vinegar in the house, you might want to use this wash outside or in your dog’s bathtub. Shake before each use to make sure the boric acid is dissolved. Hold the ear flap up so the ear canal is tilted up. Fill the ear canal with the ear wash just until it runs out. Gently massage the base of the dog’s ear — you should hear a squish-squish sound. Use a towel to catch any wash that runs out and then let the dog shake his head. Gently wipe off the inside of the ear flap. Repeat with the other ear.

I have seen other recipes that use Gentian Violet or Betadine. I don’t use those ingredients because they stain.

*I’ve seen recipes with rubbing alcohol, but I don’t use it because it can sting if the dog has any abrasions in their ears.
** You can replace this with 1/4 cup aloe vera juice

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