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Have you ever watched your dog shake their head or scratch their ears repeatedly? A dog’s ears are incredibly sensitive, and they can easily become irritated, infected, and inflamed. Ear infections are particularly common—and uncomfortable—for pups with long floppy ears, which trap hair, dirt, and other debris inside.
Keeping your dog’s ears clean is an important way to keep infections at bay and keep your dog happy. To help you and your pup with your ear cleaning routine, we heard from two veterinarians, Dr. Alexis Lane and Dr. Jacqueline Brister. Their insight is key to understanding when and how to clean a dog’s ears.
How To Clean a Dog’s Ears, Step by Step
Cleaning a dog’s ears isn’t difficult, and it should only take a few minutes of your day each time. That said, most dogs don’t love having their ears cleaned, and you might find that it’s a two-person job. Make sure you have someone available to help by distracting your pup with treats if needed.
There are two approaches to cleaning your dog’s ears at home. Dr. Lane, a veterinarian with Trinity Animal Hospital at Thrive Pet Healthcare, describes them as the “Cotton Ball Method” and the “Direct Application” method.
Both methods require the use of an ear cleaner specially formulated for pups.
The cotton ball method
- Use cotton balls to remove any visible debris in the ear canal. Debris typically comes from earwax and hair.
- Soak cotton balls with the cleaner.
- Rub all around the inside of the ear with the soaked cotton balls, wiping away wax and debris.
- Use a clean, dry cotton ball to dry your dog’s ears.
Direct application
- Gently place the dispensing tip of the ear cleaning solution bottle just into the opening of your pet’s ear. Squeeze to insert the liquid cleaner.
- Massage the ear while holding the pinna (flap) up so you avoid the common shaking a dog will typically do. This massage breaks down the debris.
- Next, clean out that debris. You can let your dog shake naturally, but if you’d rather not have them spray ear gunk around your house, you can also gently wipe out the ear.
- Clear away any excess cleaner and debris, then dry the ear with cotton balls.
How far should I insert the cotton ball?
“Dogs have two ear canals—one vertical (the outer surface on the underside of the ear flap, which is visible) and one horizontal (the part you cannot see, and what veterinarians look down during examinations),” explains Dr. Lane. “The eardrum located at the end of these canals can be easily damaged by rough cleaning.”
To keep your pup’s ears safe, don’t use Q-tips or swabs, and focus only on the external ear canal. If it’s your first time and you’re feeling nervous, you can always ask your veterinarian, a professional vet tech, or a certified fear-free groomer to walk you through the process. They can also recommend the best ear cleaning product for your pup.
miriam-doerr via iStock
What Should You Use To Clean Your Dog’s Ears?
There are many ear cleaners on the market specially formulated for dogs, but saline dog ear cleaning solutions are some of the most common.
Saline is non-irritating and very safe for dogs. Virbac’s Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner is a highly rated saline-based cleaner. It has a low pH and no chlorhexidine or alcohol, both of which can cause additional problems in your dog’s ears.
Other popular, safe options for cleaning your dog’s ears include Zymox Ear Cleanser and the super-convenient Pet MD Ear Wipes.
If your dog has an active ear infection, chances are that you will need an entirely different, medicated solution. Your veterinarian can guide you to the right treatment options for your pup, often including prescription ear cleaners and drops.
Dog ear cleaning solutions to avoid
When cleaning your pup’s ears, it’s essential to only use vet-approved products that have been specially formulated for dogs. That means no human ear drops (which aren’t calibrated for a dog’s unique skin), no vinegar, and no DIY doggy ear cleaning solutions either.
Even if they’ve been marketed as pet-friendly, some ear cleaners can actually be harmful to your dog. Products with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can irritate your dog’s skin. Caution should also be used with cleaners that contain chlorhexidine—especially if you don’t know the integrity of your dog’s eardrum.
A veterinarian can confirm whether your dog’s ear drums are healthy or ruptured with a simple exam. This is important information to know before you start cleaning your pup’s ears at home. If the tympanic membrane is ruptured, using any ear cleaners could potentially cause your pup to go deaf.
Is Ear Cleaning Really Necessary?
Routine ear cleanings not only reduce the chances of infection but also allow you to monitor your dog’s ears for issues. Just by going through the ear cleaning process, you may notice something is wrong, which means you have a better chance of treating it early. Untreated ear infections can result in a loss of hearing, a ruptured ear drum, and other health problems for your pup.
“Early intervention is key to preventing ear infections in dogs,” says Dr. Lane. “By regularly cleaning your dog’s ears, you can maintain their overall health and prevent more severe conditions later.”
For most dogs, a monthly ear cleaning routine is plenty. Some dogs may need more frequent cleaning—up to once a week—especially if they get a lot of ear infections, spend a lot of time in the water, or have seasonal allergies. Dogs with big, floppy ears may also need more frequent cleaning sessions, as their ears will collect and trap more debris in the ear canal.
Just as infrequent cleanings can lead to infection, so can cleaning your dog’s ears too often. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right cadence for your pup.
PavelRodimov via iStock
Does My Dog Have an Ear Infection?
Ear infections in dogs are super common, possibly even more common than you’d think. Just like with humans, infections can occur in various parts of the ear: the inner ear (otitis interna), outer ear (otitis externa), or the middle ear (otitis media). Ear infections can be caused by ear mites, a build-up of yeast, excess water in the ear, allergies, and more.
“One telltale sign of an ear infection is a ‘corn chip-like’ odor coming from your dog’s ears,” says Dr. Lane. “This odor results from a mixture of yeast and bacteria present in the infection.”
Additional signs of an ear infection in dogs include:
- Frequent head shaking or tilting to one side
- Constant scratching or pawing at the ear
- Redness or swelling in the ear
- Discharge or crusty substances in and around the ear
- A bad smell from the ear
- A loss of balance
If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection, take a trip to your vet before doing anything else. That includes cleaning their ears. Infections can cause your dog’s ears to become tender—especially if they’ve been scratching. Cleaning can irritate them even more. Plus, early diagnosis is key.
“Addressing these issues promptly is crucial,” Dr. Lane explains. “Ear infections can be frustrating to treat, but are often preventable with early detection and regular cleaning.”
Your veterinarian may recommend a variety of treatments to help soothe your pup’s discomfort, clear up any infection, or deal with ear mites. These include medicated ear drops, glucocorticoids, or steroids. If your dog’s ear infection is severe, surgery may even be needed for a longer-term solution.
What If My Dog Hates Ear Cleaning?
Ear cleanings can be uncomfortable, and most dogs just don’t see the point—no matter how many times you explain that it’ll help their itchy ears.
“It is best to introduce dogs to having their ears cleaned at an early age,” says Dr. Jacqueline Brister, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance. “Start slowly, providing lots of treats and praise with each step the dog allows. Conditioning a dog to having his or her ears cleaned will take multiple sessions and should be practiced regularly.”
Dr. Brister recommends that you let your pup get comfortable with the tools you’ll be using, then work your way up to the actual cleaning
“Introduce the dog to the ear cleaning equipment (e.g., ear cleaning bottle, the smell of the solution, cotton balls, the smell and feel of gloves), while offering small pieces of chewable treats or bits of lickable treats (e.g., peanut butter),” she explains. “If the pet is curious but comfortable, begin rubbing the ears, while continuing to offer treats. Next, use dry cotton balls to gently rub the inside of the ears while offering treats.”
“You will probably need to go pretty slowly with this step,” she says. “Nobody likes having objects stuck into or tickling their ears. Then rub the cleaning bottle gently against the outside and inside of the ear so the dog becomes comfortable with how the bottle feels, and offer treats.”
Treats are a huge part of helping your dog get used to the ear cleaning process: “Gently squirt a very small amount of cleaning solution into the ears and offer treats. Massage the ears, offer treats. Clean them with cotton balls, offer treats. Next try a little more solution and continue offering treats and praise.”
If your dog becomes anxious or scared at any point, Dr. Brister says to take a break. Slowly building your dog’s trust will ensure a long future of successful ear cleaning sessions. And, if you find that your pup just isn’t having it, taking them to a groomer is always an option. A professional, fear-free certified groomer is used to helping anxious pups get comfortable and clean at the same time.
Further Reading
- Read This Before You DIY Your Dog’s Ear Cleaner
- Should I Be Concerned That My Dog Is Shaking Their Head A Lot?
- What Are the Causes & Treatments for Ear Infections in Dogs?
- Are Cleaning Wipes Safe for Pets? What to Know About Pet-Safe Paw, Eye, and Ear Wipes
- How To Groom Your Dog: What Different Hair Types Need and Where To Start