Dog Ear Cleaning Made Easy
Debris can build up in your dog’s ears, which can leave a residue, smell or even an infection. Most dogs need their ears wiped out monthly as routine maintenance. Now, if your dog’s ears stink or have dark or red-colored goop inside, it’s best to schedule a veterinarian appointment. For normal routine dog ear cleaning, try these easy steps to clean your dog’s ears at home.
First, Choose a Dog Ear Cleaning Solution
When cleaning your dog’s ears, you need an ear cleaning solution made specifically for dogs. As tempting as it may be to use water, vinegar or peroxide as an ear cleaner, it can cause your dog more harm than good.
Before purchasing an ear cleaner for dogs, ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendation. My favorite routine ear cleaning solution is Espree Ear Care. I’ve used it for years ever since my vet recommended it, and it does a great job. This dog ear cleaning solution contains peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus. It leaves your dog’s ears clean and it smells fantastic!
Medicated Ear Cleaners
Medicated ear cleaners are a different story. If your dog has a bacteria or yeast infection in his ears, your vet will likely prescribe a specific ear cleaner and topical medication. Make sure to clean out your dog’s ears before adding medication. If you don’t remove ear debris first, then the prescribed medication won’t work.
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What You’ll Need
You’ll need a bottle of ear cleaning solution for dogs, several yummy treats and something to wipe debris out of your dog’s ears. Don’t laugh, but I use an old sock. Old socks are soft, which won’t irritate the inside of your dog’s ears, and they’re thin enough to wrap around your finger.
Most dogs dislike having their ears cleaned, especially if they have an ear infection. Before jumping into an ear cleaning regimen, I recommend teaching your dog that ear cleanings are fun and super rewarding. To make ear cleaning fun, touch your dog’s ear and then give him a yummy treat. He learns that ear touches make treats appear. During ear cleaning sessions, I recommend smearing a plate with peanut butter, so your dog can lick away during ear cleanings.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Ask your friend to sit in front of your dog while holding a plate smeared with peanut butter. While your dog licks away:
- Wrap a portion of an old sock (or soft cloth) around your index finger. For small dogs, use your pinky finger.
- Lightly saturate the cloth with a dog ear cleaning solution.
- Now, slowly insert a finger inside your dog’s ear.
- Goop and debris usually sit at the bottom of your dog’s ears and along the sides. Slowly and softly wipe upward to remove them.
- Rotate the sock around to insert a clean-clothed finger into your dog’s ear.
- Repeat until your dog’s ears are clean.
Some ear cleaning products recommend squirting solution directly into your dog’s ear canal, but most dogs hate that. While it may take an extra minute or two to wipe out ear debris, I find wiping is much easier than trying to keep a dog still after pouring liquid into his ears.
How Often You Should Clean Your Dog’s Ears
If your dog’s ears are healthy, then I recommend cleaning your dog’s ears monthly. When your dog has an ear infection, you’ll probably need to clean his ears daily until the infection goes away.
Happy Ear Cleaning!
