Did you know that up to 20% of dogs have some form of ear disease in one or both ears? There are several afflictions you might find in your dog's ears, including mites and yeast infections. The good news is you can avoid most of these issues by learning how to clean your dog's ears.
Ear cleaning is an important preventative measure in taking care of a dog. Keep reading to learn how you can clean your dog's ears yourself.
Why Cleaning Your Dog's Ears Is Important
Your dog relies on you to keep them happy and healthy. Have you ever noticed your dog shaking their head frequently, or scratching at their ears? They might have dirty ears and be uncomfortable but aren't able to tell you any other way.
Regularly cleaning your dog's ears will help catch any potential problems before they become something worse, keeping your dog feeling their best.
This is especially important if your dog has long ears or goes swimming frequently. Many ear problems are the result of moisture in the ear, so regularly cleaning out your dog's ears if they're long or after swimming will help them stay comfortable.
What Materials You'll Need
There are several different products you can use to clean your dog's ears that you can purchase either from your veterinarian or dog salons. They work by including a cleaning agent that will also help keep the inside of the ear dry.
These products typically come in a squeeze bottle with a somewhat pointed tip so you can direct the ear cleaning fluid directly into the ear canal.
You will also need cotton balls or gauze to gently rub and dry the inside of the ear.
A towel will help protect you when your dog shakes their head and dry any excess ear cleaner from their fur.
How to Clean Your Dog's Ears
If you've never done this before, take your time, and keep the treats flowing. Your dog may not like having their ears touched and washing a dog, in general, can be a challenge, so it helps to get them used to the feeling before you try to clean their ears for the first time.
Make sure to reward and praise them as you go so they have a good experience! This will make the whole process easier in the future for both you and your dog.
Start in a comfortable space with your dog sitting or standing. Chances are high they're going to shake their head during this process, so you may want to be in a bathroom or similar area and keep a towel nearby in case it gets messy.
Your ear cleaner should come in a bottle shape so that you can squirt the liquid out. Gently place the tip just inside your dog's ear. Squirt enough in to fill the ear, then massage the base of the ear to work the solution around.
Let your dog shake! They'll get a lot of the excess out this way, and they probably won't like the feeling of liquid in their ears.
Finish up by carefully wiping the inside of the ear with the cotton balls. Don't go any deeper than your first knuckle; dogs' ears are very delicate and you don't want to cause any injuries.
How Often You Should Clean Your Dog's Ears
How often you need to clean your dog's ears will depend on a few different things.
Your dog will sometimes try to tell you their ears are dirty because they'll be scratching at them or leaning into you to scratch their ears for them. Pay close attention if your dog has long ears or is prone to getting ear infections; it may take some practice to get on the right schedule.
If your dog's ears seem a little bit itchy but you don't notice any other symptoms, it's probably a good time to clean them. Catching and managing small problems before they get bigger is a great way to maintain your dog's health, and that includes keeping their ears clean.
If your dog goes swimming, it's always good to clean their ears afterward. Swimming can often get water into a dog's ears, so cleaning them will help keep them dry and clean.
However, you also don't want to clean your dog's ears too often. If they look healthy and you don't notice any issues, cleaning them might actually lead to ear problems that weren't there before.
If you start to see redness, flaking, discharge, or any smells, bring your dog to the vet instead of cleaning their ears yourself so you don't accidentally make anything worse. They may need a medicated ear wash or antibiotics to get the problem under control, and cleaning their ears yourself, in this case, can make it worse.
Is There Anyone Who Can Do This for Me?
Yes! For people who can't, or don't want to, clean their dog's ears yourself, you can often bring them to one of your local dog salons. Many places offer ear cleaning along with dog grooming, and you might be more comfortable with leaving it up to the professionals.
Cleaning a dog is not for the faint of heart! Bubbly Paws can help keep your dog clean, ears included. We have different services to choose from to keep your best friend looking and feeling great.
Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy
Knowing how to clean your dog's ears can help them avoid discomfort and visits to the vet. Whether you clean your dog's ears yourself or have a professional keep them clean, you should always keep an eye on the condition of their ears.
Check out our other products to keep your dog squeaky clean! We have everything you need to bathe your own dog, and we're happy to help with any services you're interested in.