Cleaning Dogs Ears – How To Prevent Ear Infections

One of the most common reasons dogs are brought into the vets is for ear problems and the diagnosis usually is ear infections. Ear infections can be preventable if your dog receives proper ear cleaning and you are diligent in watching for signs of debris in the ears. All you need to do is invest a little time each week caring for your dog’s ears and you can prevent most ear infections making your dog very thankful.

Cleaning dogs ears:

When you clean your dog’s ears, you must pay attention to procedure, because improper cleaning may lead to more problems. Your dog’s hearing is a very important sense for your dog and one that you should protect. 

Dog’s ears are very delicate, both the inner and outer parts, so it’s important to follow proper cleaning procedures. Clean your dog’s ears once every four weeks.

Use the following cleaning tips for keeping your dog’s ears clean without causing them damage:

Step #1 - It is important to keep water out of your dog’s ears during baths, so place a cotton ball in each ear before the bath to keep the water on his coat and not in his ears.

Step #2 - Use a cotton swab soaked in a mild cleansing agent, such as mineral oil or diluted peroxide. Your vet may suggest some commercial product for you to use. PETCO puts out a pretty good product that is inexpensive. PETCO Ear Cleansing Liquid (4 fl. oz.; Liquid)

Step #3 - Using tender strokes, carefully swab both the outer and inner parts of the dog’s ear, taking care not to push any wax further into the ear. Clean only the parts of the ear that you can clearly see, and don’t remove all the wax. Believe it or not, dogs need a little bit of wax to protect their ear canals.

Step #4 – If you notice any small debris in the fur surrounding you dog’s ear remove it with a comb. It’s important to also clean under the earflaps, especially if your dog enjoys running through tall weeds or grass in fields or woods. Foreign objects can get into the ear, causing infections or irritation. It is very important to remove any debris or foreign objects immediately. Be careful not to push debris or foreign objects further into the ear canal. If you are unsure of removing objects from you dog’s ears, let your vet take care of it for you.

Step #5 - Poodles and English Spaniels, need to have the hair around their ears trimmed on a regular basis. Excessive hair growth in or around the ears can promote infection. Trimming the hair will improve air circulation and lessen the chance for infection.

Step #6 - Check your dog’s ears on a regular basis for signs of cuts, scratches or abrasions, especially if you know that they have been in a fight with another animal. Cuts in these sensitive areas can become easily infected, so keep an eye out for injuries and call your vet if necessary. Signs of infection are reddened skin, swelling or the dog scratching at the ear.

Make sure that you make an appointment to have your vet examine your dog’s ears if you suspect that he may have an ear infection, or has something in the ear that you are not able to get out easily.

Cleaning dogs ears is not overly difficult, but it is an essential task if you want to keep your pet healthy.