How to Clean Dogs Ears?

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and their ears are no different. From tall, pointy ears that stand upright like the German Shepherd, to long, floppy ears that bounce as they play like a Cocker Spaniel, the variety of dog ears is one the many charming features that make each breed unique. 

That being said, keeping your dog's ears clean is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as owners. It is a necessity as part of any professional dog cleaning process too.

Here are our top tips to keep your dog's ears clean and free from infection.

How often do you need to clean a dog's ears?

Most dogs do not need their ears cleaned often. Every dog is different though, your pooch might struggle with waxy or dirty ears so require more regular cleaning. 

It is highly recommended that you speak to your vet for advice on a suitable ear-cleaning plan that is tailored to your dog. They may prompt you to carry out this consistent plan with the help of a professional dog groomer, local to you.

If your vet has advised you to clean your dog’s ears at home, it is important to first understand the shape and anatomy of the ear.

The makeup of a dog’s ear

Before cleaning, it is vital that you understand the anatomy of a dog's ear. This will help you to understand the inner workings of the dog’s ear, helping to prevent any discomfort or danger to the dog. 

The ear canal is an L shape, with a distinct vertical canal connected to the horizontal canal. The ear drum is tucked away at the bottom of the horizontal canal, safely out of harm's way from a standard ear clean. 

If the ear is floppy, this may cover the tip of the ear canal. This increases the likelihood of an infection as moisture will be trapped and the airflow blocked.

What equipment will you need?

You should never use cotton buds to clean your dog’s ears as these can accidentally be inserted too far into the ear canal and cause damage or irritation to your pooch. 

Instead, use damp cotton wool or cotton wool pads. 

Ensure to only use dog-specific ear cleaner, never human specification or cleaners designed for other animals such as cats or rabbits. Dog’s ears are unique and require specialist products. 

You will need a clean towel, and you might benefit from having another person on hand to help keep the dog calm and under control. 

This is especially important if it is the first time the dog is having their ears cleaned.

How to spot an infection

If you believe your dog has an ear infection, it is vital you visit the vet rather than try to remedy the situation yourself. The signs to look out for include but are not limited to:

• Their ear is sensitive to touch, as in your dog squirms or is uncomfortable with you touching their ear
• Any part of the ear is inflamed and / or red
• The dog is shaking their head or scratching their ears due to the discomfort
• Visible discharge
• Signs of ear mites, typically little cuts, scratches or clumps in and around the ear

A step by step guide for cleaning a dog’s ear

Step One:
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the dog is calm and comfortable. We recommend cleaning your dog’s ears after a long walk or before bedtime when they are more relaxed and settled, as opposed to when they are bundles of energy!

Step Two:
Once your dog is calm, gently lift up their ear (if applicable) so that you can get a proper look inside of the ear. Examine the ear, checking for warning signs of an infection such as discharge, redness, a rash or a bad smell. If there are any signs of infection, do not continue with the ear cleaning. Instead, visit the vet. It will be normal to see a small amount of light coloured wax within the ear.

Step Three: 
If safe to do so, start gently wiping around the opening of the ear using the damp cotton wool, removing any dirt or excess wax. 

Step Four: 
Then, insert the tip of the dog ear cleaner into the ear canal. Be careful not to put the tip too far into the ear canal, as this is potentially dangerous and could cause harm to the dog. Gently massage the ear to ensure the cleaner passes fully around the ear canal. 

Step Five: 
Wipe away any excess ear cleaner using damp cotton wool and then repeat the process for the other ear. 

Step Six:
If your vet has given you dog ear drops to apply, we recommend applying these shortly after cleaning the ear, ensuring that the medicine will enter the ear and be absorbed without getting stuck on excess wax.

Ear cleaning is included in our dog grooming services and is in fact a mainstay no matter which our customers opt for. If you would like to benefit from this service or have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.