One of the most important steps in monitoring the health of your pet dog is a weekly ear examination. We may think we don't have to do it ourselves, but this check is very important for broad-eared dogs or dogs with allergies. Dog ears often need to be cleaned after inspection. Cleaning dog ears at home is actually quite easy as long as there are no infections or sores. Be sure to take good care of your beloved best friend by checking and cleaning their ears regularly, no matter how wide they are.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Checking Dog Ears
Step 1. Check the general condition of the dog's ears
Ask the dog to sit or stand near you so you can easily see the inside of his ear. If all you see is cerumen or ordinary dirt, you can clean it right away.
- Watch for fluid draining from inside the ear (clear or gray/brown in color), thick, sticky fluid, or scratches, scabs, or cuts. If you notice any of these signs, DO NOT clean the dog's ears and contact a local veterinarian for advice.
- You won't be able to see into your dog's ear canal because at the end, where it meets the head, it bends sharply. Therefore, it is not recommended that you clean the inside of your dog's ears without a veterinarian's instructions. Never use a cotton swab inside the ear canal as it can condense the wax at the end of the canal or even rupture the eardrum.
Step 2. Observe for parasites or foreign bodies in the dog's ears
Dogs can carry a number of unwanted things in their ears. Dogs that frequently run in the grass or trees may carry foreign objects such as plant debris, grass, or seeds in their ears. If you find something like this, you may first try to gently remove it. However, if that doesn't work, take your dog to the vet.
Fleas and mites love to hide around dogs' ears. Mites can make a dog's ears very itchy and cause a thick, brown discharge. You need the help of a veterinarian to diagnose and cure dog ear mites. Fortunately, fleas and mites can be treated (and prevented) with a variety of anti-flea and mite products that are easily purchased at veterinary clinics
Step 3. Check for signs of a yeast infection in the dog's ears
Yeast infections can make your dog's ears smell weird, itchy, and have a brown discharge. This fungal infection must be treated with special drugs. Cleaning your ears alone cannot cure a yeast infection, and on the contrary, it can make it worse. Take your dog to the vet if you notice these symptoms.
Step 4. Watch for signs of bacterial infection on the outer side of the ear
Bacterial infections can be mild and easily treated with medication, but they can also be serious and cause the dog to feel pain. You will need the help of a veterinarian to diagnose and treat a bacterial infection in your dog as it can potentially lead to serious complications.
Step 5. Although rare, be on the lookout for anything that might be a tumor
Occasionally, there may be a lump or swelling in or around the dog's ear. In most cases, these lumps and swellings are simply cysts or a reaction to injury or insect bites.
Watch these lumps closely at home. If it doesn't improve within a week, or if it gets bigger and bothers your dog, talk to your vet
Part 2 of 2: Cleaning Dog Ears
Step 1. Purchase a commercial dog ear cleaning product or make your own from home
Both types of cleaners can be used to clean the outside and inside of a dog's earlobe. How to clean dog ears with commercial cleaning products is the same as at home cleaning materials.
- Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar and an equal amount of liquid alcohol in a clean bowl. Make sure the mixture is at room temperature before using as no one likes cold liquids in their ears, including dogs. This mixture is safe to use on the dog's ears that are still visible from the outside. However, do not use this mixture if you suspect your dog has an ear infection. Also, do not pour this mixture into the ear canal.
- There are many good dog ear cleaning products available in the market. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what products you can get from local stores. You can also ask for recommendations from pet stores.
Step 2. Dip a cotton ball in the cleaning mixture
Squeeze out the excess liquid so the cotton ball is no longer dripping, but is still wet. If your dog is very small, you may only need to use half a cotton ball.
Alternatively, wrap gauze around your index finger and then dip it in the cleaning liquid, but don't let it get too wet. If the gauze is too wet, wring it out for a while then continue. This method is gentler than using earplugs, which can make your dog uncomfortable. Just keep the gauze on with your thumb and index finger so it doesn't come off
Step 3. Gently rub the inside of the dog's earlobe
Remove any dirt and debris that you find. If your dog's ears are very dirty, you may need to clean them with a few cotton balls. As long as you do this gently and rub against the front side of the ear canal, your dog shouldn't struggle during this process.
- Clean the dog's ears gently because the skin is easily injured. Vinegar and alcohol can also sting wounds.
- Be sure to gently clean the crevices in your dog's ears, as dirt and cerumen can build up there.
- Clean the inside of both sides of the ear.
Step 4. Rinse the dog's ears if recommended by the veterinarian
Your vet may recommend this method, usually because your dog's ears are filled with dirt and cerumen. You can use a cleaning product to rinse (or irrigate) your dog's ears. This should remove most of the thick wax from inside the dog's ear canal.
- To do this, position the tip of the ear cleaning bottle directly in front of the canal opening inside the dog's earlobe. Press the bottle to wet the dog's ear canal with the cleaning fluid. Gently rub the base of your dog's ears (with your thumb on one side, and four fingers on the other) then massage the ear (very gently!) in this position for 60 seconds.
- Use gauze or cotton swab to remove any lumps that come out of your dog's ears. You will most likely need a lot of gauze or cotton wool if your dog's ears are full of wax.
Step 5. Let the dog clean its ears on its own
Dogs will naturally shake their heads after cleaning their ears. Let the dog do it. However, turn your face to avoid getting any liquid or wax from his ears. By shaking their head, the dog can expel any excess fluid from the ear canal.
Once the dog has drained any remaining fluid, wipe the ear again with gauze or a cotton ball. That way, you'll be able to clean any debris that comes out of your dog's ear canal when he shakes his head
Step 6. Clean your dog's ears regularly
It's a good idea to check and clean your dog's ears once a week (if necessary). This will help you monitor potential ear health problems in your dog. Dirt builds up easily in a dog's ears and can cause infection, especially in broad-eared dogs.
Tips
- Giving your dog a treat after he's cleaned his ears will help him calm down and understand that if he cooperates next time, he'll get another reward.
- It's best if you clean your dog's ears after swimming. The cleaning solution will help remove any excess water in the dog's ears. This is good because water can cause ear infections.
- Your vet can show you how to properly clean your pet's ears. This is especially important if your dog has had ear problems.
- Be careful and watch out. The dog may move suddenly and you could cause permanent damage.
- It's a good idea to clean your dog's ears in the bathroom, as the dirt and cleaning solution can splash onto the walls.
Warning
- Never insert earplugs deep into a dog's ear canal as this can cause permanent hearing damage.
- Never use water to clean a dog's ears as it can run into the ear canal and cause infection.
