Should I clean my dog’s ears?

All dog owners know that a clean pet is a healthy pet. Dog ears in this case are no exception. Keeping ears clean is part of pet care. But do you need to clean your dog’s ears and how often should you do it?

Do dogs’ ears get cleaned?

Some dogs have naturally healthy, clean ears that require little or no maintenance. Others require regular ear cleaning to prevent buildup of dirt that can lead to infections. Breeds with long, floppy ears, such as basset hounds and cocker spaniels, especially require thorough brushing. They are at risk for developing ear infections. But other breeds – with small ears – can catch an infection or become infected with otodectosis (a disease caused by an ear mite).

Check your dog’s ears regularly. Healthy ears are pink, free of odor, dirt, and signs of inflammation. They should only be cleaned when they are obviously dirty.

How to properly clean your dog’s ears

Before the procedure, make sure that the animal really needs it. Too frequent brushing can irritate the ear canal and damage it. To properly clean your pet’s ears, you need to practice. First, prepare everything for the procedure. It is best to do this in the bathroom.

How to clean your dog’s ears at home? Do not use gauze or cotton swabs: you may accidentally damage delicate skin. . Drip a few drops according to the lotion instructions (consult your veterinarian about which remedy is best for your pet), first in one ear, then in the other. Massage the base of each of them so that the liquid is evenly distributed over the auricle and ear canal. Let the animal dust itself off and shake its head. Then, using a cotton swab or napkin, gently remove the accumulated dirt and wax on the visible part of the auricle and on the initial part of the ear canal. All movements should not be strong and directed outward. After cleaning, stroke your faithful friend, treat him with your favorite treat or favorite food. The whole process takes a few minutes. If you clean your dog’s ears gently and regularly, he will get used to it and won’t fight back.

If the pet refuses to be brushed

Sometimes a situation arises that the dog does not allow you to clean your ears, although this is clearly necessary. The reasons may be different. Carefully inspect the pet’s ear canal: it should be pink and without irritation. If you notice discharge from the ears and the dog constantly tries to rub his ears, shakes his head and is nervous, or you see that there is discharge from the ear, then this may be a symptom of an infection or parasitic ear mite. 

In this case, you should not clean your ears yourself – contact your veterinarian immediately. The clinic will conduct an examination using special devices, examine the ears both outside and inside, take tests and check the pet for ticks, fungus or bacterial infection.  

If the disease is confirmed, the veterinarian himself will wash the dog’s ears, prescribe a treatment regimen and tell you how to care for the pet’s ears at home in order to avoid additional damage to the ear canal.

Most importantly, remember that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat, so carefully monitor the health of your dog.