Can I use Neosporin or antibiotic ointment on my dog's scratched ear?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 years and 1 month old | 10.8 lbs
Hi I have a quick question my dog scratched one of his ears and I was wondering if it’s okay to put antibiotic ointment?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 28th, 2017
Poor Teddy! Yes, it's normally okay to use a topical antibiotic spray or ointment on minor skin wounds like this. Many pet owners use Neosporin, which is fine. You can also get a product such as Nutri-Vet or Vetericyn spray, which are labeled for use in dogs, from your local pet store if you prefer. If you see any redness, swelling, or drainage from the wound developing over the next few days, I would recommend taking Teddy to the vet to have it checked, as these can be signs of a more serious infection that would require prescription antibiotics to treat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 1st, 2017
Hi, Neosporin can be applied to the scab up to three times a day. Make sure he is not licking it or scratching it. If he is bothering it, you may need to use a cone collar like you can buy at a vet or in pet stores. If this does not resolve the area, he should see a vet to have it checked out. Watch it for swelling or discharge, as these are signs it may becoming infected. Good luck, i hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 8th, 2017
The discharge that you are seeing in Teddy's ear (particularly since it appeared so soon after an ear cleaning) is most likely due to an ear infection. Ear infections can be caused by yeast and/or several different types of bacteria, and can be quite itchy. Teddy will need to see his vet so that his ears can be evaluated and so that the discharge can be examined under the microscope to determine the type of infection present. From there, his vet will be able to prescribe the best medication to treat this infection. You can continue to use the ear cleaner once a day, but avoid cleaning his ears the day before his appointment if possible to allow his vet to perform a more accurate exam. Ear infections occur most commonly due to underlying allergies to food or environmental factors, but these causes are not always readily apparent. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Teddy!
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 5th, 2018
Probably Marley has otitis (ear infection): if ear mites infestation is excluded, the most common causes are: malassezia (yeast infection) or bacterial infection. At this stage a presence of a foreign body (usually grass seeds) within the ear canal causing secondary infection cannot be ruled out. I recommend to have Marley checked by your local vet for a definitive diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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