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A how to guide for cleaning your dog's ears
General care normally doesn’t require the dog’s ears to be cleaned, plucking, or require treatments. However, if your dog needs their ears cleaned, then this guide will help you do that.
Cleaning Your Dog's Ears Easily
This can be done at home, but any cleaning should be done with a cleaning solution that a veterinarian recommends for you to use.
Here we will take you step-by-step through what needs to be done to keep your dog happy and healthy.
We are consistent when it comes to taking care of ourselves, but sometimes we can overlook helping others that need it.
Proper grooming is essential to feel your best, and cleaning your dog’s ears will help them maintain good health too.
This is an area that shouldn’t be neglected.
There’s always a risk for infection, or hearing damage if proper care isn’t given, and this becomes more evident if left for too long.
All dogs are vulnerable to infection, but breeds with long ears have a higher risk.
The wax in your dog’s ears is something it needs to protect it from infections, so you should only clean its ears when they really need to be cleaned.
Taking this into consideration, cleaning your dog’s ears is something every owner should learn.
Let’s take a closer look why your dog’s ears get dirty and what to do about it.
Table of Contents
Why do your dog’s ears get dirty?
There’s a number of reasons that this can happen, and if they go outside it can certainly contribute to this. If your dog loves the outdoors and is very active while out there, then there’s a good chance your companion needs a cleaning. Playing in a few puddles, or digging a hole will be more than enough to accomplish this.
One of the top reasons a dog will see a vet is because of its ears, so taking care of them should be at the top of the list.
Another reason is allergies, dogs are vulnerable to them as humans as well. Some dogs may be predisposed to a number of underlying conditions, and proper research is needed to know your breeds risk factors.
Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Monthly
The general rule is once a month minimum for cleaning your dog’s ears, and it’s ideal to contact your vet to find out how frequently you can clean if you wish to do it more than that.
Checking the Condition of Your Dog’s Ears
What’s a clean ear look like? You need to understand this before proceeding, or you can cause an infection from the irritation you created. Look for unusual signs. If you see any scratches or fluid around the ear, contact your veterinarian to find out how to proceed.
If your dog’s ears are not inflamed, have no odor, or display a light pink color, this may suggest a cleaning may not be needed. Watch your dog closely for any signs that it’s in discomfort around the ears, it may rub them or try shaking its head more than usual. This could indicate allergies or a possible infection, always call for advice from a veterinarian.
A dog can get a bacterial or yeast infection, so it’s important to know if your dog’s ears are just dirty. A yeast infection will cause a brownish discharge, be itchy, and will smell funny. If it’s an infection, then medication will be needed from a vet.
Clean Your Dog’s Ears
No special equipment is required to clean your dog’s ear. This is going to be a fairly simple process, but care is still needed. Look for any objects that don’t belong. You’ll be surprised at what can end up there.
It’s important to praise your dog, this may help with keeping your dog still. This can be especially true if your dog suffers from anxiety. Continuously reassure your dog that everything is okay, and reward them after for good behavior.
They could have bugs, parasites, an unusual growth, or a number of other things that don’t belong. The sooner you identify the foreign object, the sooner it can be taken care of. Easily remove them if you can, but call your veterinarian if it doesn’t, or if the growth doesn’t go away.
You need a cotton ball and an ear-cleaning solution that your vet suggested. Don’t use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, this will only increase the chances of irritation. It’s not recommended to use a Q-tip, you can risk causing damage to the ear canal, and potentially pushing dirt further into the dog’s ear.
Now it is time to clean.
Grab your cleaning supplies. Your dog’s ear now needs to be filled with the solution your vet recommended. The local pet store may have some suggestions for you too. Make sure the solution is at room temperature to prevent any unnecessary discomfort.
Now gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds.
Your dog will instinctively want to shake its head after this. Don’t stop him from doing this, it’s going to help him remove excess from the ear canal. It can also end up on you, so expect to get some splashes on you. Stop at any point if your dog seems to be in any pain, and contact your veterinarian.
Clean any gunk that comes out with a cotton ball. Make sure that the crevices are cleaned, and remember to get the other ear too.
Dog’s will often feel better before the medication is done, but you should continue using it for the duration that was recommended by your vet.
Don’t Forget: If your dog has had the infection for a while, it’s going to take longer for it to clear.
Maintaining a frequent inspection will help identify any potential issue.
Related Questions
What if my dog won’t stay still? If your dog refuses to let you treat him with prescribed medication, then you may need to have your veterinarian sedate him.
Are Dogs with Allergies Prone to Ear Infections? Yes, dogs with allergies are vulnerable to ear infections.
Can I use Soap and Water for Cleaning my Dog’s Ears? There’s always a risk that there could be an irritant in the soap, and would suggest using the vet recommended product when cleaning your dog’s ears.
What Is Otitis? This can be a bacterial infection, but this is also a common occurrence for dogs with allergies. (Source)
What are some of the best products to use for my dog’s ears? We recommend you contact your local veterinarian to pick what’s best for your dog.
A Few Dogs that are Prone to Infections
Poodles are prone to infections. Their hairy ears can prevent debris from entering, but can also interfere with an infection to exit the ear.
Labrador Retrievers are no exception to this. These dogs are well known to enjoy the water. This leaves them vulnerable to bacteria and yeast infections. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this.
Treating an Infection in your Dog’s Ear
Take your dog to the veterinarian if you suspect an infection. They will perform an exam, and look deep into the ear canal. They will likely prescribe a medicated ointment with instructions on how to properly clean it.
You will likely have your dog rechecked in a few weeks, and your vet will advise you on that.
It’s worth mentioning that infections have the potential to rupture the eardrum, so it’s important to allow your veterinarian to prescribe the medication he feels is appropriate.
Cool Fact About Dogs:
While they use their ears for hearing, another purpose for them is body language.
Conclusion
Cleaning your dog’s ears should be a simply process and you will likely not have any issues. It is advisable to always speak with a veterinarian if you supect something or are unsure about what to do.
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