The Best Way to Clean Your Dogs Ears
All dogs produce earwax and it is very beneficial to your dog as earwax traps dirt and debris. But too much wax can cause blockages and keep the debris inside your dog’s ear instead of ejecting it. Without proper cleaning, your dog’s ears of earwax can prove to cause more harm than good so it is important to clean their ears. If not done properly, though, cleaning your dog’s ear can make more problems and pain for your dog. It is important to know how to correctly clean your dog’s ears to keep them healthy and pain-free.
Before you move to clean, talk to your veterinarian first as all dogs have different cleaning needs. Some dogs’ ears need to be cleaned more often than others and it’s important to know how often your dog’s ears need cleaning.
Time to Clean
If there is residue or an odor coming from your dog’s ears, it is a clear sign that their ears need to be cleaned. Some other indicators are head shaking or ear scratching from your dog as they could be signs of irritation. Checking your dog’s ears weekly is a good schedule to make sure their ears are properly cleaned.
Cleaning your dog’s ears when they are infected, though, can make things much worse. If your dog displays any of the following signs, it may have an infection and you should seek medical advice
- Redness in the ear canal
- Swelling
- Foul odor
- Excessive discolored and/or bloody discharge
- Scratching the ears or face
- Pain on contact
- Head shaking
Supplies
It is a good idea to have the proper cleaning supplies to ensure it is a comfortable process for your dog. An ear cleaning solution that is veterinary approved is a safe bet and household cleaners, such as hydrogen peroxide, are not recommended. Cotton swabs are unsafe for ears and instead cotton balls or pads are recommended to clean your dog’s ears. Treats are optional supplies but can reward or keep your dog occupied during what may be an uncomfortable process.
How to Clean
The first step would be to place a piece of cotton inside the outer ear canal. By inserting the cotton, the amount of liquid that will be poured in is controlled. You do not want to place the cotton too far as it poses a risk for your dog, so it should be inserted in to wear it is easily removed.
The next step would be to fill the ear with the cleaning solution. The solution should be poured near the top of the ear canal and onto the cotton. The cotton should saturate and will control the amount of liquid going into your dog’s ear. It is important to clean the bottle of solution as you do not want bacteria to grow on the container.
When the cotton is fully saturated, your dog’s ear will sound squishy when you massage it, which is the next step. The solution will begin to break down the wax and debris and massaging the ear will help to break it down best. Around 30 seconds of massaging is recommended to fully break down the debris. After massaging the ear with the cotton in, remove the cotton and massage the ear a little longer.
Your dog will want to shake its head to get the remaining debris and liquid out, so keeping a towel on hand might be a good idea. Wipe away the remaining debris and reward your dog for being good while you cleaned their ears.
Cleaning your dog’s ears can prevent infections and disease, so it is important to check their ears often. Check with your veterinarian to make sure you are cleaning their ears properly and not harming your furry friend.