02 Nov How to Clean a Dog’s Ears? Ear Drops or Ear Cleaner?

Cleaning a dog’s ears is one of the most critical steps in grooming. Some dogs are genetically prone to ear infections and need this step more. But it’s essential to clean a dog’s ear because their ear anatomy has a particular condition that makes it very difficult to get out the earwax and foreign impurities trapped in the deeper parts of the horizontal canal. So that it may not come out on its own and cause the dog’s ears to itch and become infected; of course, excessive cleaning may also cause ear canal irritation and infection. Dog ear cleaner is a product that can be used to help prevent ear infections and clean them. This article will show you how to clean a dog’s ears step by step.

Should all dogs’ ears be cleaned?

Some dogs with healthy and clean ears may never need ear cleaning. But it’s recommended to clean the dog’s ear if you see secretions coming out of it or if it smells. If your dog’s ears are red, inflamed, or painful, consult your vet before cleaning them; Because there may have been an infection or rupture of the eardrum. Improper washing is also one of the common causes of dog ear infections. In fact, due to the unique anatomy of the dog’s ear, getting it wet can cause disease, so be sure not to pour water on your dog’s head and ears after bathing and grooming.

What do we need to clean the dog’s ears?

This work doesn’t require special equipment, and the only things you need include the following:

• Suitable ear cleaning solution
• Cotton or gauze
• Treat to reward the dog

Warning

Don’t use an ear cleaner at all because it may cause a hole in the eardrum or damage your dog’s ear canal, and in addition, it can push the wax and dirt inwards instead of removing them.

How to clean a dog’s ears?

To clean the dog’s ears, follow these steps so that the job is done smoothly and correctly:

• Sit on the floor and put your dog on your lap. If the dog is of a large breed, take him to the corners of the room and sit in front of him.
• Take the lobe of one ear upwards so that the ear canal can be seen. Hold it, so it doesn’t hurt, but the animal can’t take his ear off your hand.
• By pressing the bottle, pour some dog ear-cleaning solution into the dog’s ear until the ear canal is filled. There’s no problem if some of the solutions spill out. But don’t put the tip of the bottle in the ear. If the tip of the bottle comes into contact with the dog’s ear, wipe it with a clean alcohol swab; if the ear has bacteria or fungus, it won’t be transferred to other places.
• Hold the earlobe up with one hand and gently massage the lower part (below the ear hole) for about 30 seconds with the other hand to remove the impurities stuck inside the ear canal. If you pay attention, you will also hear the solution’s sound moving in the ear canal’s horizontal part.
• As you hold the earlobe up, wipe the inside of the earlobe and the front part of the ear canal with a piece of cotton or gauze.
• Then let your dog shake his head so that the remaining solution and impurities come out of the ear canal, and you can clean them.
• Keep the earlobe up again and wipe everything that comes in front with cotton or gauze as far as your fingertip reaches.
• Encourage the animal and give him a treat.
• Do the same for the other ear.

Note

If you feel the animal is in pain while cleaning the ears, stop immediately and consult a veterinarian. You can also ask him about how often the ears should be cleaned. If this is difficult, you can get help from a veterinarian or a dog groomer.

What is the best ear cleaner for dogs?

As we mentioned in the previous part, the dog’s ear is a part of his body that, if not cleaned, will cause many problems for him. This part of the body is constantly exposed to dust, and if this dust isn’t cleaned from the pet’s ears, it can cause many ​​diseases. So it’s vital to control and keep this part of the pet’s body clean. The best cleaner for this job shouldn’t have a high percentage of disinfectant.

Is ear cleaner good for dogs?

Dog ears are floppy or pointed, big or small in different shapes and sizes, which is very important to maintain their health. Dog ear cleaner is one of the ways to clean and care for the ears, but you have to be careful to use it. To clean your dog’s ears, it’s better to avoid harsh substances such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, damaging the already inflamed and irritated ear tissue. It should be added that most dog ear cleaners are usually harmless, but you should check the label of your dog’s ear cleaner carefully and ensure that you can use it on your pet.

What is the best dog ear cleaner?

If your dog doesn’t have an ear infection and you only need to clean the edge of his ear, it’s better to use a 50/50 solution of distilled water and white vinegar. This solution can help prevent infection in a healthy ear. Of course, you can also use ear-cleaning drops for dogs with a veterinarian’s prescription. It’s better to use a quality ear cleaner specifically for dogs. Of course, it should be added that if your dog’s ears are light pink and odorless, they don’t need to be cleaned. However, the best ear cleaner for dogs should be a product that doesn’t harm the ears.

It’s strongly recommended to use a high-quality ear-cleaning solution. Solutions containing hydrogen peroxide or alcohol can irritate the ear canal, especially if it’s already inflamed or injured. Some ear cleaning solutions have antibacterial or antifungal ingredients that help prevent dog ear infections. Some have more power to soften and remove the wax accumulated in the ear. If you are unsure which option to choose, you can ask a veterinarian for advice.

When should you buy an ear cleaner?

It’s essential to check the inside of your dog’s ears regularly to look for signs. Regular cleaning and checking your dog’s ears every week is better. Dog’s habits can guide you on how often his ears should be cleaned. Now, if you see wax, dirt, or dust in or around your dog’s ears, it’s time to clean them. 

What are the disadvantages of dog ear cleaners?

In the previous section, we stated that you should clean your dog’s ears when it’s not routine; Because doing it indiscriminately may cause problems for your dog in the future. It should also be noted that using an ear cleaner to clean the dog’s earwax can push it deeper inside and cause it to accumulate inside the animal’s ear. Excessive accumulation of ear mass can also cause unpleasant symptoms, such as a feeling of fullness in the ear, pain, and muffled hearing.

What to do for a dog’s ear infection?

Since there are different types of dog ear infections and they must be diagnosed by a veterinarian, in the first step, let the examination be done accurately. Then, according to the doctor’s prescription, use certain medicines to treat this dog disease. As we said above, clean the ears and use a special ointment or solution.

Using ear drops to clean the dog’s ears

It’s usually possible to use the medicine immediately after cleaning the dog’s ears; the steps described below:

• Take the tip of the ear and pull it upwards until the ear canal is visible.
• Put the drops of medicine in the ear of the animal as prescribed by the veterinarian. Again, be careful not to touch the tip of the medicine container, and if it does, clean it with alcohol.
• Keep the earlobe up and gently massage the bottom of the ear for about 30 seconds. This step helps the drug reach all parts of the ear canal, and you can hear it moving.
• If dirt or medicine accumulates on the earlobe, clean it with a cotton swab dipped in an ear-cleaning solution.
• If the inside of the earlobe is infected, pour the prescribed amount of medicine directly on the same area (or apply the ointment) and spread it around that area with your finger (preferably wearing gloves).

To wrap up

Cleaning a dog’s ears is considered a vital part of dog care because it’s necessary for many dogs. But it would be best if you didn’t overdo it. If you see that the dog’s ears have secretions or smell, start cleaning the dog’s ears with the method we explained, and whenever you’re worried, go to the vet immediately. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.