No Products in the Cart
Everything needs cleaning, whether it is your furball’s paws, hairs, snout, nails, or ears. You cannot just take them for a grooming session every week for every other reason. There are a few things you can do on your own, such as cleaning their ears at home. Yes, you may not have an excellent experience of doing it, and taking them to the vet may seem like the easiest option, but it isn’t.
This exclusive guide will help you understand how to clean your dog’s ears at home, how to use the different cleaners, and the tools required.
You cannot choose a day and start cleaning your dog’s ears. You must ensure that they need cleaning. But how to know if your dog’s ears are dirty? Here are certain ways.
If your dog has any of these symptoms, he needs cleaning.
Some dogs need a weekly ear-cleaning routine, while others can go for a fortnight without any smell or wax accumulation. It all depends on their ear sizes. While breeds such as, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshund, Basset Hound etc., need regular cleaning because of their floppy ears, Indies, Chow-chow, Pug, Husky, sheepdog, Brittany Spaniel, Pomeranian, etc., do not require much cleaning as they have small ears.
So, if you own a dog with floppy ears, make a weekly cleaning routine. For dogs with small ears, use the tips mentioned above to ascertain whether your dog needs ear cleaning or not.
For dogs with floppy ears, you must exercise extra precautions. You love their bouncing ears when they run towards you. They look adorable but check out their large flaps to keep your adorable pup happy and healthy. Since large dogs have so many hairs inside their ears, too, they are more susceptible to flea bites and infections. When you bathe them or go swimming, their ears may remain moist and cause infections. Also, their floppy ear flaps cover the passage of the ear, i.e., less air circulation, which can cause redness, moisture, and odor.
Here is the step-by-step process of cleaning the large ears of dogs.
When you are done with both ears, you will see the difference. To keep away fleas and mites, clean your dog’s ears while bathing too.
Be gentle while cleaning your dog’s ears to not cause any damage or inflammation. If you’re unsure about the process, it’s best to take an expert’s help that you trust i.e. your dog’s certified groomer or the vet.
Chow-chow, Indies, Pomeranian, Great Dans, Alsatian, etc., have ears standing upright and small. They are not floppy and can be seen easily if they need cleaning. All you have to do is say the name of their favorite thing, their ears will stand upright, and you can see inside the ear.
Since dogs with small ears don’t need frequent cleaning, ignoring it altogether is not advisable either.
To clean your dog’s small ears, follow the below steps.
It is not a good idea to just read this article, get the solutions and start cleaning your four-year-old pet’s ears when you have never done it before. There are certain prerequisites of dog ear cleaning
At any cost, do not start with cotton earbuds that you use. First, they are not healthy for you as they might push the wax in. Also, you cannot feel your dog’s ears as you clean them. You might damage their eardrum, which is close between the inner and outer ear. So, what you will need is-
If you are cleaning your dog’s ears for the first time, consult your vet and let them prescribe an ear-cleaning solution. You can also go to the medicine shop and buy an over-the-counter solution. Generally, shop owners can also help you choose the best product based on first-hand customer experiences. Use a 2-in-1 solution that also dries up the ear canal from the inside. If any moisture is left, it may cause infection
Also, never use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or witch hazel to clean your dog’s ears. You might find people who tell you so, but it is not right for your dog’s health and can severely damage their ears.
Most people argue that the street dogs don’t get their ears cleaned and still they look healthy. But your dog is a pet and has adapted to the lifestyle of a home. As a pet parent it is your responsibility to keep their general health and hygiene in check and not just when there’s an emergency. Whether it’s their paws, nails, teeth, or hair, they are dependent on you for keeping them clean and well groomed.
Ear cleaning is a general hygiene for both humans and dogs. So, consult your vet, talk to them about ear-cleaning products, train your dog and clean their ears regularly. Also, keep checking them for infection, learn about healthy-looking ears, wash them during the bath ensuring the soap/shampoo and/or the water doesn’t go inside their ears.
If your dog is not ready to get his ears cleaned, it’s always a good idea to take them to a grooming parlor or vet and get it done professionally.