How to Clean Dog Ears
Sep 10,2024 | puaintapets
Cleaning your dog's ears is crucial to preventing ear diseases. The internal structure of a dog's ear is special, and it is easy to accumulate grease, dust and moisture to form earwax. If these secretions are not cleaned in time, they will provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to ear infections such as otitis externa and ear mite infections. Long-term uncleanliness may also affect your dog's hearing and even cause pain and discomfort, affecting your dog's quality of life. Regularly cleaning your dog's ears can help remove earwax and foreign objects, keep the ear canals dry, and reduce the risk of ear disease. In addition, cleaning the ears can help owners detect abnormalities in the ears, such as redness, swelling, odor or discharge, so that timely action can be taken or a veterinarian can be consulted. Thus, dog ear cleaning is an integral part of daily care that helps maintain the overall health and well-being of your dog.
When Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?
Not all dogs need frequent ear cleaning. However, if your dog tends to accumulate wax, has been swimming, or is prone to ear infections, regular cleanings are beneficial. Check your dog’s ears for signs of:
- Wax buildup
- Dirt or debris
- Unpleasant odor
- Redness or inflammation
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to clean their ears. If your dog’s ears are red, inflamed, or have a strong odor, consult a veterinarian before cleaning, as this could be a sign of an infection.
How to Properly Use Ear Powder to Clean Dog's Ear Canal?
The steps to properly use ear powder to clean your dog's ear canals are as follows.
Preparation
First, make sure your hands and the tools you use are clean to avoid introducing new bacteria or contaminants.
Application of Ear Powder
Sprinkle the ear powder evenly in your dog's outer ear canal, especially in areas with a lot of ear hair. Ear powder helps to lubricate the ear hairs, making them easier to pull out, as well as having anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. Use your fingers to gently massage the base of the ear to help the ear powder penetrate deeper into the ear canal.
Ear Hair Cleaning
If your dog has long ear hairs, you can pull them out with the help of ear powder. Be careful to move quickly and gently to minimize your dog's discomfort. If the ear hairs are too short or deep into the ear canal, do not forcefully pull them out to avoid hurting your dog.
Cleaning the ear canal
After the ear hairs have been cleaned out, the ear canal can be further cleaned with a pet-specific ear wash, if desired. Drop the earwash into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear, and then let your dog shake his head to help the earwash and loose earwax drain out. Afterward, gently wipe the outside of the ear canal with a cotton ball or clean cloth to soak up excess fluid and earwax.
Pay attention to your dog's reaction
During the plucking process, closely observe the dog's reaction, if the dog shows obvious discomfort or pain, the plucking should be stopped immediately.
Avoid Ear Canal Damage
When plucking ear hairs, pay special attention not to hurt the dog's ear canal, and use the plucking pliers precisely to avoid penetrating deep into the ear canal.
Also Read: 5 Common Ear Canal Infections
Soothe your dog
Before and after plucking the ear hairs, you can calm your dog by petting and giving small snacks to reduce its tension and fear.
Cleaning up broken hairs
After plucking, use a cotton ball moistened with medical alcohol to gently wipe and remove any broken hairs and residue from the ear canal.
Do it regularly
Don't pluck ear hairs too often to minimize damage to your dog's ears, and the interval between plucking should be kept to two weeks or more.
Please note that ear powder and ear wash should be used according to your dog's specific situation and your veterinarian's recommendations. Do not over-clean to avoid irritating your dog's ear canals. If your dog shows discomfort or pain during the cleaning process, stop immediately and consult your veterinarian.
How to Properly Clean Dog's Ears?
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Check the ears
Before cleaning, check your dog's ears for redness, swelling, odor or discharge, which could be signs of infection.
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Prepare a cleaning solution
Use a pet-specific ear cleaning solution; these products often contain ingredients that dissolve earwax and have antibacterial properties.
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Clean the ear canal
Gently lift your dog's ear, drop in an appropriate amount of cleaning solution, and gently massage the base of the ear to help the solution penetrate the ear canal and loosen earwax.
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Let your dog shake his head
After the massage, allow your dog to shake his head naturally to help remove fluid and loosen earwax from the ear canal.
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Wipe Outside Ears
Use a clean cotton ball or gauze to wipe the outside of your dog's ears, including the auricle and the opening of the ear canal, for earwax.
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Inspect and clean
Check the inside of the ear for any remaining earwax or foreign matter and gently clean with a cotton swab, but do not go deeper into the ear canal to avoid damaging the eardrum.
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Reward your dog
Once cleaning is complete, give your dog a reward to build a positive association.
Please note that every dog's ear structure and sensitivity is different, so be gentle and pay attention to your dog's reaction when cleaning. If your dog shows pain or discomfort, or if the ear shows signs of serious infection, stop cleaning immediately and consult your veterinarian.
How to Prevent Ear Health Problems in Dogs？
In order to prevent ear health problems in your dog, you can take the following steps:
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Regular ear checkups
Check your dog's ears at least once a week and watch for redness, swelling, odor or discharge.
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Clean ears
Use a specialized pet ear cleaning solution and follow your veterinarian or product instructions to keep the ear canals dry and clean.
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Keeping ears dry
Make sure your dog's ears are completely dry after bathing, especially for droopy-eared breeds, which are more prone to water buildup in their ears.
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Trim ear hair regularly
Long ear hairs may block the ear canal and regular trimming can help prevent ear infections.
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Avoid moist ear canals
Moist ear canals are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi and should be kept ventilated.
Using an external dewormer can prevent parasitic infections such as ear mites.
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Avoid scratching your dog's ears
If your dog scratches his ears frequently, he may be suffering from ear discomfort and should be examined and treated promptly.
By taking these precautions, you can effectively minimize the occurrence of dog ear health problems and keep your dog's ears healthy.
How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?
- Breeds with floppy ears (e.g., Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds): Weekly or biweekly.
- Dogs prone to ear infections: Regular cleaning as recommended by your vet.
- Dogs with upright ears: Less frequent cleaning, usually once a month or as needed.
What are Common Ear Problems in Older Dogs?
Ear care for older dogs requires more care and attention to hearing protection than for younger dogs. As they age, older dogs may experience a gradual loss of hearing and an increase in discharge from the ear canals, which increases the risk of ear infections. For this reason, ear care for your senior dog should include regular ear canal inspections to remove earwax, and care should be taken to use gentle cleansers to avoid irritating the skin of the ear canal, which has become more sensitive.
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Benign and Malignant Tumors
As they age, senior dogs are more likely to develop tumors in the ear, and these tumors may require prompt diagnosis and treatment by your veterinarian.
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Deafness
Older dogs may experience age-related hearing loss, which is often irreversible. In addition, ear infections or diseases of the ear canal may also lead to hearing loss.
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Ear Canal Hyperplasia
Tissue in the ear canal may grow abnormally with age, which may affect hearing and cause discomfort.
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Ear Canal Infections
Ear canal infections may be more common in older dogs, and these can be caused by bacteria, fungi or parasites such as ear mites.
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Ear Inflammation
Chronic ear infections are more common in older dogs and may cause redness, swelling, increased discharge and discomfort in the ear canal.
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Blockage of the ear canal by a foreign body
Older dogs may be more likely to have foreign bodies blocking the ear canal due to changes in the structure of the ear canal, which requires veterinary intervention to remove.
These issues may lead to behaviors such as head shaking, ear scratching, and smelly or foul-smelling ears in older dogs. Regularly checking your senior dog's ears and promptly addressing any abnormalities is critical to maintaining their comfort and quality of life.
When Should I Pay Special Attention to My Dog's Ear Health?
Situations that require special attention for dog ear health issues include:
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Frequent head shaking or ear scratching
This can be a sign of ear discomfort or infection.
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Odor or discharge from the ears
Normal dog ears should be clean and odorless. If you notice an odor or pus or brown discharge from the ears, you should have them checked.
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Red, swollen or painful ears
These may be signs of ear inflammation or infection.
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Diminished hearing
If your dog has a diminished response to sound, there may be a problem with the health of the ears.
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Behavioral changes
The dog may seem agitated or lethargic, have an unsteady gait, etc. because of ear discomfort.
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, take him or her to the veterinarian immediately for examination and treatment to avoid further health problems. Regularly checking your dog's ears and keeping them dry and clean can help prevent ear health problems.
FAQs
Conclusion
Cleaning your dog’s ears is a simple but important part of their grooming routine. Regular ear cleanings help prevent infections, remove dirt, and keep your dog comfortable. Be gentle and use a vet-approved ear cleaner, and consult a veterinarian if you notice signs of infection. With regular care, your dog’s ears will stay clean and healthy.
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