How to Keep Dog’s Ears Clean

Dogs tend to get build up, dirt, and debris in their ears due to the shape and formation of them. Keeping your dog’s ears clean is the best way to avoid any potential infections or issues. Take a peek below at some helpful tips for how to keep dog’s ears clean. These tips are easy to follow, inexpensive, and the best way to keep dog’s clean and healthy. But before you clean the inside of your dog’s ear make sure the outside is clean. Pull off any leaves or grass that might have gotten caught the last time they were outside. Take a brush or comb and brush their ears on the outer and inner part of the flap to remove any dirt from playtime. For dogs with long fur on their ears trim the fur on the inner part of the flap so that the fur doesn’t collect dirt and debris and allows more air to flow. Make sure not to let the fur you trim fall into the ear canal. Once the outer part of the ear is clean and the ear in more manageable condition you can move on to the ear canal.



What you will need to clean your dog’s ears:
Cotton ball
Hydrogen peroxide
Mineral oil
Dry cloth
Treats



Directions to keep your dog’s ears clean:
Begin by giving your dog a treat to keep him occupied. See if you can coax him onto his side into a cozy position. It is best to have his head laying flat on the ground. If you can’t get your dog to lay flat have them stand either on the ground or on a table or bench so that you can see into their ear without bending down. Carefully pull back the ear so the inner skin is exposed. Move calmly, talking sweetly to your dog as you do. You want him to trust you and know you won’t hurt him.

Next, simply clean the inside of the ear by applying some hydrogen peroxide and mineral oil to the cotton ball. Rub the cotton along the inside of the ear, carefully sweeping away any dirt or debris. Repeat if needed, then wipe clean and dry with a dry cloth.

DO NOT:
– Put any items inside of the ear canal. Clean the outer skin only.
– Use q-tips or unapproved cleaning tools.
– Clean too much. You only want to clean ears once a month or as needed. Frequent cleaning can actually cause irritation.

If your dog’s ears are very dirty and full of debris once a week is ok until you have the situation under control. Over cleaning can lead to ear issues just as much as the dirt and wax build up can.

Signs to look for:
Always keep your eyes out for any signs of rash, discharge, blistering, redness, peeling, or scaling. This may indicate a bigger problem and should be discussed with a vet. Do not try to treat this issues yourself as you could end up doing more damage.

When you keep your dog’s ears clean, you can have a comfortable and happy pet.