is hydrogen peroxide a good cleaning solution for smelly chihuahua ears? no infection, just a little stinch?

First, we use hydrogen peroxide on the animals in our hospital for a variety of reasons. So, despite the warnings that it should never be used on skin, that just isn't true. However, having said that, I also don't think you should try to treat your dog without knowing what's wrong. Your best bet is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. It could be just ear wax, or it could be an infection. A veterinarian will take a sample and make sure. If it is an infection, your dog may need antibiotics. Chronic ear infections can lead to all kinds of problems and may require surgery to correct. But, only your vet will be able to tell you for sure.

If you want to clean his ears gently, use a cotton ball (not a swab), moistened with dilute vinegar. It should be about half and half vinegar and water. That won't hurt his skin and will deodorize just about anything. Also, dogs' ear canals go straight down, toward the floor when they're standing. That's the best position to fool with their ears.

I trust that you can tell it's not an infection. Putridity has a particular odor and it's unmistakable. I also think the outraged cries over using hydrogen peroxide are foolish. I worked for an ENT doctor for many years and we used H2O2 in our patients' ears all the time! The sound of the bubbling really is pretty harsh, that's why I suggested the dilute vinegar. We used that as well.

Mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with a carrier oil (olive oil works best but you can also use almond oil, avocado oil, etc.) and put on a cotton ball and lightly dab the inside of the ear. Tea tree oil can be used to kill yeast infections (the most common kind of ear infection) as well as killing some mites. Don't use too much though as this stuff can be potent (and it smells bad). Neem oil could work as well at killing mites but doesnt do much for yeast. Make a vet appointment as well so you are certain you know what it is. Don't put peroxide in the ear. Use natural or holistic measures and NEVER chemicals.

My dear, you are not a vet and neither am I. I have had dogs for over 30 years. I know what a clean ear smells like and what an infected ear smells like.

You do NOT put peroxide or alcohol in your dog's ears. NO. You take your dog to the vet and have the ears examined. The VET will let you know if the ear is infected and prescribe the ear wash and medication.

In the meantime, stay out of your dog's ears.

Hydrogen Peroxide is not for cleaning sensitive area such as the ear, its for cleaning wounds to kill bacteria.

If you go to Petco or Pet Smart you can look around or ask a worker and they can help you find a solution just for cleaning ears. Also, I wouldn't recommend cleaning your dogs ears if you have never done it before. It would be best to let a professional groomer at a pet store or your vet clean her/his ears. DO NOT use a groomer that is not in a pet store. Pet Store groomers have certain standards and special training that their employees have to go through before they are able to actually work on a dog and get payed.

When it comes to ears, especially my Chihuahuas', I do not chance it, I go straight to the vet! Smell can be a symptom of a yeast infection, do you really want to take that risk? Chihuahua's are not very robust (for lack of a better word) and ears are delicate.

Please take your Chi to the vet!

Good Luck!

if you are not willing to take your animal to the vet which I think you should do, the only safe cleaning solution for your dogs ears is diluted vinegar. Mix with water, about 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Smell is usually infection.

NO. Your vet or Groomer can recommend a good quality ear cleaning solution. I just clean my dogs ears with a cotton swab, do not stick the swab down into the ear canal.

If you are getting black crud, lots of it, could be ear mites & need to be treated with oticide from your Vet, an examination to diagnose ear mites is ideal.

Don't you dare put strong chemicals on a dogs skin!!!

Why are you smelling your dog's ears?

The smell probably comes from his ear wax, which is normal and healthy. Or its an infection, which is not going to be helped by anything other than a trip to the vet.

NO NO NO.

Ear infections are extremely uncomfortable for the dog and can lead to further complications, deafness and in extreme cases death. A vet will be able to confirm the infection and prescribe appropriately.