How to Treat Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats with Medication

August 06, 2025

One of the most frequent medical conditions seen in both dogs and cats is ear infection. Untreated infections, whether brought on by bacteria, yeast, or mites, can result in hearing loss, chronic discomfort, and more severe issues. Thankfully, treatment can be straightforward and successful with the correct pet ear medication. Below we will explore the best types of dog ear infection treatment and cat ear infection drops, how to safely clean your pet's ears, early warning symptoms, and veterinarian-recommended advice for continued ear care to maintain pet health and stay ahead of ear infections.

Signs of an Ear Infection in Pets

Being able to identify the symptoms of an ear infection allows you to treat the issue before it becomes worse. Since pets are unable to communicate their discomfort, it's crucial to keep an eye out for these physical and behavioural signs that they may be exhibiting:

Continually scratching or pawing at their ears
Head shaking or tilting to one side to alleviate pain symptoms
Redness, swelling, or visible coloured discharge in the ear canal
An unusual, foul odour coming from the ears
Sensitivity or pain when touching the ears of your cat or dog
Hearing difficulties or imbalance when walking

Infections in dogs can be brought on by allergies, wax buildup, or continuous dampness from swimming (which we know our four-legged friends love to do!). Foreign objects and ear mites are more frequent causes in cats. Using ear drops for pets as soon as possible will significantly improve comfort and aid in recovery, regardless of the cause.

Treatment Options: Dog Ear Infection & Cat Ear Infection

Depending on your pet's particular diagnosis, your vet may typically suggest a mix of approaches for dog ear infection treatment or chronic feline ear problems. The best treatment depends on the type of infection, whether it is bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. You should only ever use approved pet ear medication and pay close attention to your vet's instructions to prevent future issues.

Here are some of the most common treatment options:

Topical ear drops - These are typically administered straight into the ear canal and are the most widely used type of pet ear medication. Drops with antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory properties minimise swelling and target the infection's source.
Systemic medications - If your pet has a more severe case of ear infection, your vet might prescribe oral antibiotics or antifungals to support the healing process from both the inside and out.
Ear mite treatments - Ear mites can lead to infections, particularly in cats. Cat ear infection drops with parasiticides can kill off mites quickly while soothing the inflammation.
Surgical Advanced Intervention - If infections become chronic or resistant to medication, which can happen in a small number of cases, minor procedures may be needed to clear blockages or remove damaged tissue from the ear.

Whether the infection is parasitic, bacterial, or fungal will determine the best course of action advised by your vet. It is extremely important to obtain a diagnosis from your vet before beginning any ear drops for pets for this reason.

Cleaning Ears Safely: Our Step-by-Step Guide

Preventing and treating ear infections depends largely on proper and effective cleaning. Using the incorrect method or product, however, can exacerbate the problem and, in some cases, create an issue where there was no issue previously. This is the safest way to clean your pet’s ears:

Always use a vet-approved ear cleaner – Your vet can provide advice on which ear cleaners are the best for your pet. As a general rule, you should avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate the ear canal.
Gently lift the ear flap - Squeeze the prescribed cleaner into the ear canal carefully and gently.
Massage the base of the ear - Do this for 15–30 seconds to help loosen any wax or blockage and to ensure the ear cleaner can work effectively.
Let your pet shake it out - Once your pet has given their head a good shake (which is a natural reaction), you can wipe away excess fluid with a cotton ball or soft cloth.
Never use cotton swabs - Never poke cotton buds or swabs inside the ear canal, as this can cause injury or push wax and infection deeper.

Cleaning your pet's ears once a week helps avoid infection and guarantees that your pet ear medication will be more effective when it is administered. Always check with your vet for specific advice on using any ear medication, or feel free to chat with our expert team about medication requirements.

Vet Tips for Preventing Ear Infections

Due to unnoticed symptoms or delayed treatment, vets frequently see avoidable ear infections that are much worse than they need to be. Here are some professional tips for treating and avoiding infections:

Complete the full course of dog ear infection treatment or cat ear infection drops, even if symptoms improve quickly or you think your pet has recovered; the bacteria may still be present.
Follow dosage instructions exactly as incorrectly overdosing or underusing ear drops for pets can reduce the effectiveness and cause resistance to treatment.
Trim excess hair around the ears (especially in dogs) as this will improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup, making your dog less susceptible to infections.
Avoid water exposure during treatment; use ear protection for dogs that swim or try to keep them out of the water until the infection clears.
Regular check-ups are really important for pets prone to chronic ear infections—especially those with allergies or larger floppy ears who can experience the most issues.

Recurring symptoms in your pet could indicate an underlying immune system problem or allergies that need to be addressed. To control flare-ups in these situations, your vet might suggest regular use of pet ear medication or changing your pet's diet to reduce the incidence of infection and increase their immunity. At PetPA we stock a huge range of pet supplements and support medications to maintain the overall wellbeing of your pet.

Medication Types to Target Ear Infection

Pet ear medications come in a variety of forms, each intended to address a particular cause:

Antibiotic ear drops: These are used to treat bacterial infections commonly caused by excessive wax, ear trauma, or water exposure (mainly in dogs who swim).
Antifungal ear drops: Drops with miconazole or clotrimazole are the most effective against yeast infections, which often result from poor ventilation of the ears or allergies.
Anti-inflammatory drops: These contain corticosteroids which are specifically designed to reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort. Your vet may often combine it with other medications in dual- or triple-action formulas.

Ear mite drops for cats: Easy to administer and formulated with ivermectin or selamectin, cat ear infection drops eliminate mites and soothe ear irritation.
Combination formulas: Covering multiple causes in one treatment, many over-the-counter and prescription ear drops for pets combine antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids to maximise effectiveness.

To guarantee that you are giving your pet the best treatment option for their health, take into account their symptoms whilst also consulting with your vet on the most appropriate ear infection drops for pets.

Choose The Right Pet Ear Infection Medication Now!

Maintaining your pet's ear health is so important to their general wellbeing. The correct dog ear infection treatment, cat ear infection drops, and safe cleaning practices can make all the difference, whether you're dealing with a one-time infection or a more persistent problem. Before beginning any new pet ear medication, always seek advice from your vet. For trusted products and vet-approved medications, get in touch with our team and give your pet the relief they need!