Hydrocortisone for Dogs: What You Need to Know About Its Benefits and Uses

For pups and their parents, every season brings endless opportunities for outdoor fun: swimming in the lake, frolicking after the first snowfall, crunching on leaves while exploring lush hiking trails, and playing fetch as the sun sets and the cicadas sing. But warm weather in particular can pose some challenges, especially if your furry friend sports a pair of floppy ears. Sweating causes moisture build-up, and water activities can leave fluid pooled at the bottom of your dog’s ear canal. This increases the odds of ear infections and all the itching, skin inflammation, and redness that comes with them. For a solution to inflammation, you might think of hydrocortisone. Doctors frequently prescribe it for humans. But is hydrocortisone for dogs? Under the right circumstances, yes. Read on to learn how hydrocortisone can help treat ear infections in our four-legged friends.

Before we get into hydrocortisone, let’s talk about dog ear infections, their symptoms, and how they happen. This will help you determine if hydrocortisone is the right choice for your pup. Canine ear canals are steep and end in a hard right turn (picture them shaped like the letter “L”). When fluid gets inside the ear canal, it has a hard time escaping this right-angled cavern. The result is a dark and moist setting: a happy home for troublesome bacteria.¹ Certain dog breeds are especially prone to infections. These include²:

• Basset hounds
• Labradoodles
• Golden Retrievers
• Beagles
• Cocker spaniels

These breeds have large, floppy ears that contribute to bacterial growth by keeping the ear canal dark and preventing evaporation. If you’re the lucky paw parent of one of these breeds, you’ll want to remain extra vigilant against ear maladies.

Ear infections can take three different forms in dogs depending on the affected area. These are³:

• Otitis externa – This is the most common ear issue for dogs, and it affects the outer ear. Ear wax buildup, skin allergies, and moisture accumulation are usually to blame. It often presents with a rash or other skin irritation.
• Otitis media – If the otitis externa in a dog goes untreated, it can spread deeper into the ear canal and affect the middle ear behind the eardrum.
• Otitis interna – Otitis interna is the rarest (but most serious) infection. It occurs when the inner ear becomes inflamed. Side effects include hearing loss and balance issues.

Otitis media and otitis interna both require professional attention—don’t attempt to treat them at home (or they could get worse). Since more serious infections often begin as minor cases of otitis externa, it’s critical to take action at the first sign of infection. Luckily, you can take steps to address outer ear infections at home.

The key to handling ear issues is early detection. If you notice your pup wrestling with any of the following symptoms, an ear infection could be to blame⁴:

• Scratching and pawing at the ears
• Head shaking
• Swelling and redness
• Smelly ears
• Dark colored discharge
• Crusty skin near the ear
• Scabbing

Ear, mouth, and jaw muscles overlap, so if you notice your pup suddenly losing interest in food or going quiet, this could also be a sign of ear pain.

When things get itchy, hydrocortisone comes to the rescue. In addition to soothing troubled ears, hydrocortisone offers excellent relief for rashes, bug bites, and allergy breakouts. Hydrocortisone belongs to a family of medications called corticosteroids. These soothe the redness, irritation, and swelling brought on by all sorts of skin issues.⁵ Hydrocortisone comes in a variety of forms:

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Hydrocortisone topical ointment
• Hydrocortisone spray
• Hydrocortisone lotion

In certain circumstances, doctors may also turn to hydrocortisone injections. OTC cream versions may include up to 1% hydrocortisone. More potent cream blends require a prescription and a visit to the pharmacy.⁵ When dog health issues call for hydrocortisone, your veterinarian may prescribe a version formulated specifically for animals.

Hydrocortisone works its magic by relaxing overzealous immune responses.⁶ Allergic reactions are a symptom of an overactive immune system, so hydrocortisone is an ideal antidote for allergy troubles. However, it also has other applications in the veterinary world. For pups suffering from Addison’s disease, which is common in breeds like poodles and Labrador retrievers,⁷ intravenous hydrocortisone can also help neutralize an “Addisonian crisis” (critically low cortisol levels).

If your furry friend has come down with ear irritation, OTC hydrocortisone may offer some much-needed relief. There are a number of different formulations to help clean and relieve itching, redness, and swelling in ears suffering from otitis externa. One of the top options is Veterycin Triple-Action Ear Treatment. It combines the itch-fighting power of 1% hydrocortisone with:

• Otizyme – An enzyme solution that flushes away buildup and melts ear wax
• Botaniplex –A mixture of natural extracts that rebalance the ear’s microbiome

This three-pronged approach to ear irritation can rapidly help:

• Reduce inflammation
• Relieve itching
• Soothe swelling
• Promote healing and overall ear wellness

It also includes a flex-spout applicator for simple, tidy application. Whatever product you choose, make sure that it’s specifically designed for dogs and pets, not people. You can safely use hydrocortisone to treat minor ear infections, hot spots, and bug bites. But only rely on it for short-term treatments—it’s not a long-term solution. If your pup shows prolonged signs of an infection or allergic reaction, make an appointment with your trusted vet.

How to treat dog ear infection without vet? If you choose to treat your pup’s otitis externa with hydrocortisone, ear drops will likely be the most applicable form for you and your dog. Before you apply the drops, you’ll want to find a calm and quiet area to work. Dogs aren’t fond of having objects inserted into their ears, so have some treats on hand to smooth the process. Once you’re set up, take the following steps⁸:

1. Hold the bottle in your dominant hand. Use your other hand to peel back the ear flap.
2. Release the appropriate number of drops into the affected ear canal.
3. Massage the base of the ear (closest to the head) to help the drops absorb.
4. Allow your dog to shake.
5. Wipe away any remaining solution away from their fur and ear.

Your poor pup may be in a bit of pain during this process, so be sure to offer lots of encouraging praise. If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member to distract your pup or feed them treats during the process. This will make the whole process easier for your dog (and you). With ear care products, it’s wise to apply them outdoors or in a basement or garage. The process can get messy—you don’t want to spoil that priceless Persian rug in the living room.

While hydrocortisone is generally quite safe, it’s possible your pet may experience a few side effects. Keep an eye out for⁹:

• Irritation at the area of application (e.g., peeling, blisters, hives)
• Fragile skin
• Bumps on the affected area
• Hormone disturbances (which are very rare)

If any of these side effects pop up, stop applying the hydrocortisone and reach out to your vet. If you use it on other areas, you’ll need to ensure your pup doesn’t ingest the topical hydrocortisone by licking the trouble spot. An Elizabethan collar (a fancier name for the “cone of shame”) can prevent licking until the irritation subsides.

It’s important to keep in mind that hydrocortisone alone doesn’t kill bacteria—it only relieves the irritation they cause. If an ear infection persists and shows no sign of healing on its own, you should contact your vet as soon as possible. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam, assess the situation, and provide a treatment plan. They may also perform an in-office dog ear cleaning.

As a loving pup parent, knowing you have treatment options helps put your mind at ease. Ear infections happen—it’s no biggie, and dog ear infections are very common and treatable. Even so, there are a number of steps you can take to lower the odds of your furry friend coming down with a case of itchy ears¹⁰:

• Dry ears thoroughly after bathing or water activities.
• Check regularly for dirt, parasites, or crusting.
• Clean the ears about once a month.
• Watch for hitchhikers like fleas and ear mites.

When cleaning, be sure to use a high-quality cleanser—such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Ear Rinse—that flushes foreign bodies from the ear canal. At first, your pup may not appreciate so much attention paid to their ears. But if you make ear care a regular habit, your dog will soon get used to it (and they’ll sure appreciate it down the road). Keeping your pup in excellent overall health also gives them the strength they need to fight off infections. Ensure they get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy diet, and enjoy lots of social time. Boosting their nutrition with dialed-in dog supplements, like Vetericyn’s ALL-IN, will also help keep them in tip top shape.

At Vetericyn, we offer a roster of world-class dog ear care products. In the hands of dedicated paw parents, our treatments can put ear infections in the rearview. And we’re never finished searching for fresh ways to help pets live their best lives. Our team constantly breaks ground in the field of animal health. Their dedication is what led to our pioneering hydrocortisone Triple-Action Ear Treatment, and it’s what will lead to an ever brighter future for the world of pet health. As lifelong animal lovers, we understand the joy your pup brings to your life. Return the favor by helping them thrive. Explore our collection today.