Cleaning Dog Ears

Cleaning dog ears is not as difficult as you think. This page shows you how to clean dog ears and looks at some natural dog ear cleaning solutions.

Many dog parents are apprehensive of cleaning their dog's ears because they fear that they may inadvertently hurt the dog's ears. Also, some dogs do not like people handling their ears.

However, cleaning dog ears is one important thing that all dog parents should do regularly because it is an important way to prevent some common canine health problems. Dogs' ears, especially those long and floppy ones, are the perfect hiding places for ear mites, as well as the breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. If your dog's ears are not cleaned regularly to get rid of these bugs and micro-organisms, serious infections can result.

Cleaning Dog Ears - Training Your Dog

Training your dog to having his ears cleaned without resistance is something that all first-time dog parents should do. Start training your dog when he is just a puppy so that he can get used to the idea of ear cleaning and that will save you a lot of agony down the road.

When you are petting your pup, make a point of handling and touching his ears. Occasionally lift up an ear flap, look inside, then put it down and praise your dog. Rub and massage each ear flap, then gently rub inside each ear, making sure to never go further in than you can see. Finally, rub around the base of the ears. By handling your dog's ears regularly and gently, you are training your dog to let you go one step further - actually cleaning his ears.

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Cleaning Dog Ears - Tools

Make sure you have the following basic dog ear cleaning tools ready before you clean your dog's ears:

Hemostat
Ear cleaning solution
Cotton balls

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Cleaning Dog Ears - Checking for Problems

Check your dog's ears regularly (once a week or so) for signs of infection, mites, or dirt and debris.

Lift up the ear flaps and check inside each ear. Healthy dog ears should be fleshy-pink and free of excessive wax buildup or dirty discharge.

If your dog has an ear infection, he may show the following signs:

Excessive scratching of the affected ear
Head shaking
Pain, sensitive, sometimes swollen ear
Thick wax build-up
Smelly dog ears caused by brown or black discharge from ear
Whinning or crying when ear is touched

If you notice any of these signs, do not attempt to clean his ears. Instead, visit your veterinarian immediately for treatment.

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Cleaning Dog Ears

If your dog's ears are healthy but dirty-looking, you can clean them with a natural commercial dog ear wash.

Here's how:

Lift your dog's ear flap. Check the ear for any hairs that need to be trimmed or removed before getting started. Using your thumb and index finger, remove any loose hair around the external ear opening. (Always pull in the direction of hair growth and only small amounts of hair should be taken at one time.)
If you see lots of hair around the external ear opening, you can use a hemostat to grasp small amounts of hair and pull outward toward you slowly, being careful to never reach more than half an inch into the ear canal. (Clean and sterilize the hemostat after use.)
Moisten a cotton ball lightly with ear wash.
Put the cotton ball into the ear.
Close the ear flap, and very gently massage the ear.
Remove the cotton ball from the ear.
Use a clean cotton ball to wipe the visible part of the inner ear and the inside of the ear flap.
Check the cotton ball for signs of mites, for an unpleasant smell, or for discharge. If you see anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.
Repeat with the other ear.
Praise your dog and give him a yummy treat.

Note: Many people squirt the ear wash directly into the dog's ears, but most dogs hate that! In particular, if you have a difficult dog, don't do that. A cotton ball moistened with ear wash solution works just as well.

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Cleaning Dog Ears - What NOT To Do

Do not massage your dog's ears too firmly
Do not rub the ears too vigorously
Do not use Q-tips to clean the inside of your dog's ears
Do not use alcohol to clean the inside of your dog's ears
Do not let your dog scratch or rub his ear too hard

Cleaning Dog Ears - Natural Ear Wash

Getting a natural gentle ear wash for your dog is just as important as having his ears cleaned properly. Do not go for any commercial ear wash that contains ingredients that may be irritating to your dog's ears (e.g. harsh soap, alcohol).

Here are some natural dog ear wash solutions that are safe, gentle, yet effective:

Only Natural Pet Ear Care with Tea Tree Oil

This ear wash contains witch hazel, tea tree oil and echinacea. It is gentle yet powerful enough to dissolve ear wax, remove foreign debris, and protect the ears from bacteria and other microbes.

TrueBlue Super Easy Ear Wipes

These Ear Wipes are pre-moistened with an all-natural botanical blend (e.g. lemon, marigold, aloe vera, and green tea). Just use the wipes to clean your dog's ears regularly. Simple and easy!

Ark Naturals Ears All Right for Dogs and Cats

If your dog is prone to mite or yeast infections, this natural ear wash is beneficial. It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and healing herbs such as aloe vera, calendula, rosemary, cinnamon leaf oil, and myrrh. It not only cleans and maintains healthy ears, but also promotes healing of sores, inflammations, and treats mite infestations.

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Information on this site is for educational purpose only.
It is not intended to replace the advice and treatment of a veterinarian.
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