Just like bathing, brushing, nail-trimming, and teeth-brushing, cleaning your dog’s ears is a crucial part of their grooming routine. Doing it regularly not only keeps the insides of their ears spick and span, but it also prevents nasty problems. “But wait,” you ask, “how on Earth do I go about this?” Never fear, dear Dog Owner. Here are our tips on how to clean dog ears at home.
Why is it important to clean your dog’s ears?
Put simply, cleaning your doggo’s ears removes things like dirt and wax, which can lead to discomfort or even infection. Dogs’ ear canals are much deeper than humans’, which makes it trickier to get rid of excess debris naturally. That’s where regular ear cleaning can help.
While all dogs can develop ear infections, dog breeds with floppy ears – such as Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels – are especially prone to them, studies have shown. Dogs who swim often are also more likely to contract an infection.
If you own one of these breeds, or if you have a keen swimmer, regular ear cleaning is a must. If you have a breed with shorter ears, you should still clean their ears consistently. However, you may not need to do it as often.
How often should you clean them?
On that note, how often do dogs need their ears cleaned? There’s no fixed schedule for cleaning your pooch’s ears. Instead, there are a few tell-tale signs that their ears are in need of a clear-out.
You may notice a faint smell coming from their ears, or a build-up of wax or discharge. Your doggo might also be shaking their head, which could mean their ears are irritated. Eventually, you’ll come to recognise how their ears look when they’re clean and healthy. They should be pink and free of odours, dirt, and inflammation. Knowing this means you’ll be better able to figure out when they’re not quite right.
It’s also worth noting that there’s such a thing as overcleaning your pupper’s ears. If you do it too often, it can lead to irritation and eventually ear infection.
How to clean dog ears at home
So, you’ve noticed a bit too much wax building up in your doggo’s ears and a very mild odour? Sounds like it’s time for a good clean! If you’re keen to go the DIY route, here’s how to clean dog ears in five easy steps.
Step 1: Grab your supplies
To clean your pooch’s ears, you don’t really require much. All you need is a specialised ear-cleaning solution for dogs, a cotton ball or gauze, and a towel to clean up any mess. Some dogs have long hairs inside their ears that you may need to pluck before cleaning. In this case, you might want to collect some tweezers, too.
Step 2: Grab your doggo
It’s best to clean your dog’s ears when they’re in a calm state. This will make your job a heck of a lot easier! Place them in a comfortable position in front of you where you can easily access the insides of their ears. Treats, pats, and praise certainly won’t go astray during this step.
Step 3: Groom their ears, if necessary
If your doggo has a few extra hairs around their ears, they’re best being cut before cleaning. You can also pluck excess hairs within the ear canal. This allows you to better see what you’re doing and provides more airflow to your doggo’s ears.
Step 4: Get cleaning
If your doggo only needs a light clean, simply apply some ear-cleaning solution to a cotton ball or gauze and gently wipe the insides of their ears. If they need a deeper clean – especially if they’re a floppy-eared dog – the process is a little more involved.
Lift up your doggo’s ear flap so you can gain clear access to their ear canal. Squeeze the ear-cleaning solution into your pooch’s ear canal, stopping when the canal is completely filled. Don’t stress if a bit leaks out. Next, massage the base of their ears for 20-30 seconds. This helps the cleaning solution to get right into the ear canal to remove wax, dirt, and other debris.
Just make sure the tip of the ear-cleaning solution bottle doesn’t touch your dog’s ear, as this can spread bacteria.
Step 5: Shake it off
Your doggo will probably want to shake their head after this. Doing so is a good idea, as it helps dislodge any debris from the inside of their ear canal. Once they’ve given their head a good shake, grab your cotton ball or gauze to clean out their ear canal. During this step, don’t stick your finger in any further than one knuckle, as it can irritate their ears.
Things to avoid during a clean
When cleaning your pooch’s ears, there are several things you’ll want to completely steer clear of.
- Don’t use Q-tips. These pointy tools can actually push wax and debris even further into your doggo’s ears. Not only can this cause infection, but it may also injure your dog’s ear canal
- Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. A dog’s ears are very sensitive, and hydrogen peroxide and alcohol are simply too harsh. They can irritate their ears and even result in internal damage
- Don’t use anything other than a vet-approved ear-cleaner. You’re best avoiding human ear-cleaners and homemade solutions, as these may contain ingredients that aren’t great for your dog’s ears. Instead, a vet-approved ear-cleaning solution designed specifically for dogs is best. Your vet will be able to advise on a suitable solution
What to look out for when cleaning your dog’s ears
When you first sit your dog down for an ear-cleaning, there are certain things to look out for that may signal an issue. Any of these could indicate problems such as infection, allergies, fleas, mites, or a foreign object lodged inside the ear.
- Inflammation or redness
- Yeasty odour
- Excessive discharge or bleeding
- Pain (your doggo might pull away if you touch their ears)
- Itching around the ears
- Tiny dark brown specks (these could be fleas or mites)
If you notice any of these, don’t clean your dog’s ears – doing so can actually cause further irritation. Instead, take them to the vet for a check-up.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to clean dog ears, what can you do?
Some dogs may not love having their ears cleaned. Or, perhaps you need an extra pair of hands to help you with the process. If that’s the case, you can call on an expert Pet Groomer to assist. They’ll have a thorough understanding of the process, and will be able to get your doggo’s ears in tip-top shape in next to no time!
1 comment
Thanks Gemma, this was a really informative article. Our Groodle, Juno, has had issues with her ears in the past (she loves swimming!), so this article has provided some good food for thought.