How to Clean Dog Ears

If you don’t see any serious issues except maybe some dog ear wax, then you can start cleaning! Begin by making sure you have everything you need to hand - once you start you don’t want to have to stop to go and get something! This will include cotton wool, warm water, tissues and treats. You’ll also need your ally in cleaning - a natural dog ear cleaner! Once you’re then ready, you can begin cleaning their ears:

Make sure your dog is feeling happy, calm and relaxed and that they are in a comfortable position where they won’t move around too much.
If there is any dirt on the outside of their ear or on the fur surrounding it, gently wipe it away using warm water and a cotton ball.
To clean the inside of their ears, place the number of drops as instructed by your dog ear cleaner into their ear. Gently massage the base of the ear to dislodge dirt and wax.
Remove any excess ear cleaning solution as well as dirt with some damp cotton wool. Your dog may want to shake their head to get rid of anything left.
Don’t forget to finish on a positive note by rewarding them with strokes, praise and some yummy treats!

Why use a dog ear cleaner?

When it comes to looking after the health and wellbeing of your pooch’s ears, a dog ear cleaner can be your saviour product! If you’re one of the people that think they’re not needed and that water is fine, then you need to change your tune! Firstly water can’t always dissolve any stubborn dog ear wax, plus after use, it just sits in their ear canal. This creates the ideal conditions for unwanted yeast to grow, leading to an infection. Specific

dog ear cleaners, on the other hand, are specially formulated to wash out wax and dirt in their ears and then dry to leave the ears clear. So now you know why you should use one, how do you choose?

The key thing to look out for when choosing your dog ear cleaner is the ingredients. Avoid chemical-ridden products at all cost as these can dry out the skin and cause irritation. Instead, go for one that is natural as well as non-toxic and non-irritating in order to give your pooch the best. When looking at natural dog ear cleaners, be selective with the ingredients. You want it to include ingredients such as witch hazel and tea tree oil that can help protect from bacteria and fungus, like echinacea that can help their natural immunity and finally like aloe vera that is naturally soothing and gentle on the delicate skin in the ears. In addition to checking the ingredients, make sure you only use a cleaner that is specifically for dogs. There are ear drops around that are for humans, but these have different formulations that may not be suitable for your four-legged friend.

Can I clean my puppy’s ears?

Of course you can! Whilst puppy ears can be more delicate, they can still get dirty and need a clean. Compared to an adult dog, cleaning a puppy’s ears may require more patience and attention but can still be a vital part of their grooming routine. It is also a good idea to start adding ear cleaning into their routine from a young age so that they can get used to the process and the smell of the dog ear cleaner to find it easier as they get older.

How often should I clean my dog’s ears?

The same as with your grooming routine, you should be checking your dog’s ears regularly. Ideally, you should check them on a weekly basis for any abnormalities or issues. Actually cleaning their ears, however, will depend on what you see when checking as well as your dog themselves. For some breeds, especially those with long hair, they may require cleaning more often, but for others just as and when needed. In general, it is beneficial to clean their ears regularly as a preventative measure to reduce the build-up of stubborn dog ear wax and keep their ears clear and healthy to reduce the risk of bacterial infections and other ear problems.

Dog ear cleaning tips

Becoming a pro at cleaning your dog’s ears simply takes time and practice and developing the right method that works for you and your pooch. If you’re a first-timer or would like some advice on how to get even better, here are some additional handy tips to help you get the best out of cleaning your dog’s ears and make it as easy and straightforward as possible for the both of you:

Blanket technique

Does your dog not like staying still when you’re trying to clean their ears? Try wrapping a blanket around them and getting them in a comfortable position. Just make sure it’s not wrapped too tight and that they’re not feeling distressed as a result!

Get some help

If the blanket technique wouldn’t work for your dog, a second person could be extremely helpful. They can carefully hold them so that you can focus on getting the dog ear cleaner solution into their ear instead of all over your hands!

Never use a cotton bud

If you feel tempted to use a cotton bud or stick to get wax out of their ears - don’t! These can end up pushing the wax further into their ear canal where it’s not meant to be and cause unseen damage.

Use treats

Keep lots of treats on hand at all times. This is especially useful for those pooches that need a bit of encouragement to keep still and get them motivated to be good!

Patience is pawfect

Have patience! Dog’s don’t understand what you are doing and that you are just trying to help, so as a result won’t want to sit there and wait. Use soothing words, give them treats and be as gentle and concise as you can to make it as easy an experience as possible for both you and your dog!