How Do I Clean My Dog’s Ears?

Home grooming is one of the most essential parts of keeping up with your dog. Without proper maintenance, dogs can get sick or develop infections that lead to other problems. There are a few steps to follow when you clean their ears to ensure that you don’t harm them. 

Gather Your Supplies

Cleaning out ears can be as simple as using a cotton swab, but it requires more equipment for puppy ears. (Okay, it’s not that much equipment.) Make sure you have a cotton ball, a cleaning solution, and a towel.

Bribery

Probably the most crucial piece of equipment in your arsenal will be your bribe. Dog ears are hyper-sensitive, making it a million times more uncomfortable to clean them. Make sure you have your treats handy to keep them calm. Speak to them soothingly and let them know that they’re safe with you. 

Apply the solution

Whether your cleaning solution is prescribed or OTC depends on the situation. If your dog has an active ear infection, it’s best to use a prescription solution. Otherwise, an OTC solution is acceptable. Either way, make sure that you’re careful with this step. Lean your dog’s head over to one side to rest on you. Squeeze the solution into the ear and massage at the base for 30 seconds, ensuring that you’re not pressing too hard. Repeat on the other side. If you hear squishing, that’s okay, it’s the solution breaking up the debris.

Put Your Guard Up

The towel wasn’t meant for them; it was for you. Once you’re done pouring the solution, your dog will shake their head vigorously. Make sure you protect yourself from the bacteria with the towel. Once your pet is done shaking, wipe their face and body and make sure the bacteria haven’t landed on any other part of them. 

The Final Swipe

Once your dog is done shaking, take your cotton ball and clean out their ear. The solution should have broken up the dirt enough to be able to wipe it off. If you have to go deeper into the canal, make sure you don’t go past a single-knuckle-length. Otherwise, you’ll hurt your pet and potentially damage their eardrums.