Can CBD Oil Help Dog Ear Infections? Here’s What to Know

Ear infections are very common among dogs, and it’s easy to treat if detected early on. Most of the time, you need to use a special ear cleaning solution to combat the infection.

But can CBD oil help dog ear infections? In this post, I will discuss this topic and if CBD is the right solution for your pet’s ear problem.

What Causes Ear Infections In Dogs?

Before we discuss CBD oil’s efficacy for ear infections, it’s important to understand how a dog ear infection occurs. Here are some of the most common culprits why dogs get ear infections:

• • Trapped bacteria

  One of the leading causes of ear infections among canines is trapped bacteria inside the ear. As the bacteria proliferate, your dog becomes susceptible to yeast infection. Unfortunately, the L-shaped structure of a dog’s ear makes it ideal for the yeast to thrive.

  • Trapped moisture

  Another thing you should be wary about is trapped moisture inside your dog’s ears. This is the same reason why Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Poodles, and German Shepherds are prone to ear infections.

   

These breeds love wading in the water, and if you don’t dry their ears well, the moisture will harbor bacterial growth.

• Poor hygiene

Not cleaning your dog’s ears regularly and properly spells trouble for its ear health. The dirt and bacteria will accumulate, which becomes a ticking time bomb of infection.

• Allergies

Lastly, you also have allergies to blame for ear infections. Dust, pollen, feathers, smoke, and molds can get into your dog’s ears and dog eye.

• Ear mites

 This parasite thrives in ear wax, debris, and oil found inside a dog’s ears. And since the lobe protects the ears, ear mites don’t get detected right away. This will let them wreak havoc on your pet’s ears and cause an infection.

Other health problems can also trigger a dog’s ear infection. If your dog’s ear problem isn’t going away despite continuous treatment, you should consult the vet. Something else might be happening to your dog’s body.

Common Types Of Ear Infection

Dogs with an ear infection will not exhibit symptoms until the problem is already advanced. You should also know that ear infections vary based on the ear part where it occurs.

• Otitis externa

As its name suggests, otitis externa occurs in the outer ear between the eardrum. This is usually due to trapped moisture or dirt that’s not cleaned up properly. For this condition, antibiotics and flushing will help.

• Otitis media

 This happens in the middle ear as the Eustachian tube gets blocked due to colds or other ailments. Take note that this can be infectious and contagious, especially if the cause is bacterial or viral.

• Otitis interna

 Of the three types of ear infections in dogs, otitis interna is probably the hardest to cure. It occurs in the inner ear, but the cause isn’t easily defined. It can be viral, bacterial, or secondary to another illness.

Dogs that shake their heads and paw their ears incessantly might be suffering from an ear infection.

You can perform a quick check to see if your dog’s ears are dirty or if there’s odor buildup. In most cases, there’s a crusty buildup, hair loss, and redness on the dog’s affected ear.

Can CBD Oil Help Dog Ear Infections?

The big question here is whether CBD oil works for dog ear infections or not. The truth is that science is yet to provide solid and substantial evidence that supports the benefits of cannabidiol among dogs.

Still, pet owners and vets alike have proven that CBD oil has an enormous potential in alleviating the discomfort, swelling, and pain due to ear infections.For CBD oil to work on your dog, it must be given by a CBD expert. Remember that each dog has varying needs, so the dosage will differ widely. You should also consult your dog’s vet, so he or she can assess whether CBD oil suits your pet or not.

An ear exam is necessary before you can get CBD oil for your pet. This way, your dog’s vet can recommend the proper treatment in conjunction with the potential use of CBD oil or dog dental chews.

Many pet owners opt for CBD oil because it offers instant relief for their dogs without the drastic side effects. CBD is observed to reduce the symptoms of ear infection in dogs since the canine’s body has natural CBD receptors.

Also, CBD doesn’t give your pet the ‘high’ feeling, unlike its psychoactive counterpart, THC.

In general, the following are the benefits of CBD on your dog’s health:

• Pain relief
• Reduces swelling and redness
• Helps with digestive issues
• Reduces canine depression due to pain
• Fights free radicals
• Calms and soothes dogs

How Can I Ease My Dog’s Ear Infection?

Dog ear infections won’t go away on their own. It only becomes worse over time as you delay the treatment. To help ease your dog’s suffering, the following tips will help:

• Identify the cause of infection

 Remember that you can only treat the infection properly if you know what’s causing it in the first place.

• Keep it clean

 Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is one of the most effective solutions to reduce the likelihood of infections. However, you should consult the vet about the best ear cleaning product to use if the infection is already present.

• Ear drops

 After cleaning your dog’s ears, the veterinarian can also prescribe the use of an ear drop solution or ear sprays. This will help clear up the infection and keep the dog’s ears clean.

• Oil of oregano

Some pet owners swear by the efficacy of oregano oil when it comes to dog ear infections. However, you should consult the vet first as this might cause unexpected irritations.

Other pet owners use green tea, apple cider vinegar, and oil of mullein. But before you try these, make sure that you ask your dog’s vet first.

How Can I Give CBD Oil To My Dog?

There are a number of different ways that can be used to give CBD oil to your dog.

These include

• Pouring the oil directly into your dog’s mouth using a dropper 
• You can mix CBD oil with any edible ( treats or food)

However, before administering CBD oil to your dog you must measure the quantity of the oil. The recommended dosage is aboutb1-2 mg per Kg of dog’s weight. The frequency of dosage should not exceed more than twice a day.

How Do I Clean A Dog’s Ears At Home?

Regular ear cleaning is necessary to prevent the occurrence of a dog ear infection. To do this, you need to use a vet-recommended ear cleaning solution for canines. You will squeeze this gently into your dog’s ear canal and massage the ears for 30 seconds.

It’s normal to hear swishing sounds as this is a sign that dirt is dislodging from the canal. After 30 seconds, use a clean cloth or dog eye wipes to clean the dirt and remove the excess solution. Do this on both ears, but don’t let the applicator tip touch any part of your pet’s ears.

How Can I Treat My Dog’s Ear Mites Without Going To The Vet?

Ear mites are common parasitic infections among dogs. It’s also one of the reasons behind an ear infection, so it requires immediate treatment. Canines with this infection will suffer from teary dog eyes and endless scratching.

If you suspect that your dog has ear mites, there are home remedies that you can try. However, you should never trade the professional advice of a veterinarian over anything else.

The good thing about canine ear mites is they can be treated at home after a proper vet diagnosis. The vet will only prescribe an ear mite treatment that you need to administer to your dog for 10 to 30 days.

Can I Put Antibiotic Ointment On My Dog’s Ear?

The answer is both yes and no. It’s important to consult your dog’s vet before using any human antibiotic products on your dog. While some pet owners use Neosporin for their dogs, I highly suggest that you proceed with caution.

You should only use it as a topical solution and never let it get into your dog’s mouth. The best move here is to bring the doggo to the vet. 

Will Benadryl Help A Dog’s Ear Infection?

Benadryl can provide relief from the dog ear infection symptoms. It will help your dog calm down so you can clean its ears and administer the necessary treatment.

However, Benadryl only provides temporary comfort, so you still need to treat the infection itself. Always mind the dosage when giving an antihistamine to your dog. The rule of thumb is 1 mg on every pound of the dog’s weight.

Conclusion

What should I do with my dog’s ear problem? Can CBD oil help dog ear infections? I’ve heard these questions from many pet owners, and the answer is it depends on your dog’s condition and how well the dog will respond to the specific product.

CBD oil has been a popular remedy against common problems lately but you shouldn’t rely on it for the treatment of your dog’s ear infection. In most cases, it can play a supportive role but can’t treat any condition fully. 

Also, you must seek the vet’s advice before giving any treatment to your dog.  

I hope you have gained useful information regarding a trending topic in veterinary medicine these days i.e. CBD oil. I also hope this will help you take better care of your dog. Thank you for reading!