HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOG’S EARS
Did you know that it’s recommended to check your dog’s ears at least once a week as part of their health care routine?
By doing this, you’ll easily identify if there are any problems, for example, infection or ear mites that may require ear cleaning. For the majority of dogs, having their ears cleaned is only done occasionally. However, dogs who have floppy ears, dogs who like to swim, or dogs with on-going skin allergies may become a frequent task.
Here’s a quick guide on how to clean your dog’s ears:
YOU WILL NEED
Large Towel
How to...
Lift your dogs’ ear with one hand and hold it with your thumb and forefinger so you can see the inner part of the ear.
If you haven’t seen a vet yet, then you’ll need to examine the ear for any redness, discharge, or odour. Light brown wax can be normal; however, if the discharge is red, pus coloured, or black, it may indicate an infection requiring veterinary attention.
To start, you’ll need to gently wipe the ear with a wet wipe to remove any dirt or wax on the ear pinna and the entrance of the ear canal.
Administer the ear cleaner by inserting the applicator tip into the ear canal. These are designed specifically for dogs’ ears, so you’re unlikely to cause trauma to the eardrum, although it’s important not to insert the tip too far into the ear.
Squeeze the bottle to release the ear cleaner, and then massage the ear's base as this will disperse the cleaner into the ear.
Hold a towel over your dog’s head so he can comfortably shake it, as there may be excess cleaner flying around!
If there’s any excess ear cleaner still in the canal, dry it off with ear wipes or a finger pad to get the remaining dirt away.
If you’ve seen your vet and need to administer ear drops, then apply them as per instructions on the medication after you’ve finished cleaning. This ensures that the drops get into the ear instead of sitting in the outer aspect of the ear canal.
Follow the same procedure for the second ear.
Things to take note of...
Don’t use cotton buds as there is a risk of putting them too far into the ear canal, thus causing damage.
If you notice any unusual discharge as stated above, then ensure you see your vet as there may be more than just ear wax.
If your dog isn’t happy with you cleaning their ears, don’t struggle as you can cause harm to both yourselves and your dog. There are always qualified nurses in practices that are willing and able to help you clean your dogs’ ears.