Ear Health and Cleaning
Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of their grooming routine. It helps to remove wax, dirt, and debris that can build up in the ear canal and lead to infection. Regular ear cleaning can also help to prevent ear mites and other parasites.
How to clean your dogās ears:
To clean your dog’s ears, you will need a pet-safe ear cleaner and a cotton ball or gauze pad.
- Gently lift your dog’s ear flap.
- Apply a small amount of ear cleaner to the cotton ball.
- Place cotton ball in the ear canal, and then gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds.
- Allow dog to shake their head. (This centrifugal force helps to expel debris from the ear)
- Gently wipe the inside of the ear canal, being careful not to go too deep.
- Repeat on the other ear.
Signs of ear infection:
If you notice any of the following signs, your dog may have an ear infection:
- Redness, swelling, or inflammation in the ear
- Bad odor coming from the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Head shaking
- Scratching at the ear
- Pain or discomfort in the ear
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take your dog to the vet to get treated.
A good ear cleaning routine
How often you need to clean your dog’s ears will depend on their breed and lifestyle. Some dogs only need their ears cleaned once a month, while others may need them cleaned more often, especially if they swim or spend a lot of time outdoors.
A good rule of thumb is to check your dog’s ears once a week for any signs of buildup or infection. If you see any signs of a problem, clean their ears immediately. Otherwise, you can clean their ears once a month, or as needed.
Ear cleaning solutions
Best to ask a veterinarian which ear cleaning solution is best for your dogās ears. Please avoid at home remedies like apple cider vinegar or coconut oil, oftentimes these can make your dogs ears worse.
Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of their grooming routine. It helps to remove wax, dirt, and debris that can build up in the ear canal and lead to infection. Regular ear cleaning can also help to prevent infection as well as ear mites and other parasites.
If you are unsure how often to clean your dog’s ears, or if you notice any signs of infection, give us a call at 808-509-2874 or book an appointment online by clicking HERE.
