While there are some dog breeds that are notorious for having issues with their ears, for the most part, a healthy ear is just like any other body part. As such, you shouldn’t have to do anything special to clean them. That said, there are some reasons why you might want to clean your dog’s ears. The most common reason is to prevent infections. While cleaning an ear won’t prevent an infection from developing, it can help prevent the buildup of debris that can cause an infection. Additionally, when a dog has dirt, debris, or wax building up in their ear canal, they can experience some discomfort. Finally, when a dog has an ear infection, it will need to be addressed promptly. With that in mind, here are the best ways to clean your dog’s ears.

Why You Should Clean Your Dog’s Ears

As mentioned above, when a dog has debris or wax build-up in their ear canal, it can result in some discomfort. Also, when that buildup becomes infected, it can lead to some serious problems. While ear infections in dogs are pretty rare, they can happen. If you have reason to think that your dog might have developed an ear infection, then you’ll want to seek treatment right away. Otherwise, aside from preventing unnecessary discomfort, there really isn’t a reason why you would need to clean your dog’s ears.

How To Tell If Your Dog Needs Their Ears Cleaned

Unless a breed is known for having a problem with their ears, it’s very difficult to tell if a dog has debris or wax buildup in their ear canal. If you aren’t sure, you can always check by gently touching the inside of their ear. If there is some buildup, you’ll feel it. Of course, to do this, you’ll either need to have them standing or sitting. If your dog has a habit of shaking their heads, you may want to avoid this method. Instead, the best method is to look in your dog’s eyes and look directly down at their ear canal.

The Best Way To Clean Your Dog’s Ears

There are three different ways to clean a dog’s ears. The first method is to flush out the ear with a solution of warm water and dish soap. This can be helpful for removing debris or wax that has built up in the canal. Use your fingers to gently massage the cleaning solution into the canal. Then, use a cotton ball to wipe away the debris. It’s important that you don’t push too hard, or you may damage the delicate structure of the ear.

The second method is to thoroughly dry the ear canal and then give your dog the “ear bath” mentioned above. This can help to remove any remaining debris or wax. It can also help to prevent any moisture in the canal from causing an infection. Finally, this method can be used to flush out any bacteria that may be present.

The final method involves using an ear cleaner. These are typically sold in the form of a liquid or gel, and you can apply it directly to the ear. It can then be wiped away with a cotton ball. This method is helpful because it can be very effective, and you don’t have to worry about damaging the ear canal.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

You should only clean your dog’s ears when necessary. If you do so regularly, then you may end up harming the delicate structure in the ear.

Ear Cleaning Products For Dogs

If you opt to do the “ear bath” method, then you’ll need some cotton balls and a washcloth. You can also use some ear cleaning products. These products are particularly helpful for dogs with recurring ear issues. They can also be helpful for pups that tend to be a little on the rambunctious side.

Signs That Your Dog’s Ears Might Be Infected

If you’ve cleaned your dog’s ears and they don’t seem to be feeling any better, then it’s time to see a vet. The vet will be able to diagnose what the issue is. If it’s an infection, then the vet will likely prescribe some antibiotics. Also, as with any injury, you want to make sure that the injury is healing properly. If you notice that the wound doesn’t seem to be healing, then it’s a good idea to bring that up with your vet.

Bottom line

Proper hygiene is important, and that includes proper hygiene for your dog. If you’ve never cleaned your pup’s ears before, then it can be difficult to know how to do so. Hopefully, this article has answered your questions and given you some direction.