Maintaining your dog’s ear hygiene is an important step of the overall health care routine. Many dog breeds are commonly predisposed to ear infections. Ear cleaning can aid in removing foreign bodies that can get inside the ear and prevent the buildup of wax and secretions that lead to pain, discomfort, or even infection.
The ear cleaning itself is a very simple procedure that can be done in the privacy of your home, and will also prevent expensive vet bills.
Before you begin cleaning your best friend’s ears, find out what the ear looks like.
Your Dog’s Ear Structure and Parts
A dog’s ear has three main parts: the ear flap (or pinna), the ear canal and the inner structures.
The ear flap is the visible part of the ear, that differs from one dog breed to another. The ear canal is the tube leading to the eardrum. The canal is the part you’ll be most interested in when cleaning your dog’s ears.
Dog’s ears are different from yours. A dog has an L-shaped ear canal, while the human ear canal is linear.
Because most dogs have floppy ears, debris can get trapped inside the dog’s ear easily. The ear acts like a lid, keeps the moisture and eventually debris inside, and predisposes the pooch to ear infections.
Some dog breeds, usually the ones that need regular grooming like Poodles or Fox Terriers, have strands of hair growing inside their ears. These strands of hair need regular removal, besides ear cleaning.
Some dog breeds that suffer from chronic otitis, undergo surgery to remove a part of their ear, to prevent this from reappearing.
Different Dog, Different Ear Type
Dogs and their ears come in different sizes and shapes. Some of them have long ears, like Cocker Spaniels, some have medium-sized ears, like Fox Terriers and others have shorter ears, like mixed breeds.
While some ears may be floppy, like the Cocker’s ears, others may be only half erect, like the Irish Terrier, and others may be erect, like the German Shepherd.
The different types of ears are important because their shape and position affect the airflow inside the ear. For example, a Basset Hound has long, floppy ears, that retain moisture, and the humid, warm environment inside their ears promotes the development of germs.
Thus, some breeds are more predisposed to infections of the ear and are especially seen more often in vet centers all around (including mine):
- Hounds in general (e.g. Basset Hound, Beagles, Afghan Hounds)
- Shar Pei
- Schnauzer
- Boxer
- Golden and Labrador Retrievers
- Poodle and Maltese
- Pit Bull
- Cocker Spaniel
- Doberman
So How Do We Tackle the Ear Cleaning?
First of all, it takes preparation to ensure you don’t stress the dog too much and you don’t hurt it.
Make sure you choose a quiet room to proceed with the ear cleaning, away from loud noises and distractions. If you’re calm, your dog will also stay calm, because we all know it can feel your emotions. You can ask another family member to help you hold the dog.
You can feed your dog treats after you’ve done the job. Thus, the dog will associate the entire process with something good.
You’ll need the proper tools and special ear-cleaning supplies. The best ear-cleaning solutions are the ones that contain salicylic acid. This is a mild acid that helps reduce debris, gently exfoliates the ear canal, and doesn’t hurt the eardrum.
Don’t use vinegar, or Hydrogen peroxide, because these solutions are irritants and can inflame the ear canal and eardrum.
We recommend using cotton balls or gauze for the pinna (ear flaps). It’s easier to clean because this part of the ear has ridges.
For cleaning the ear canal, use either gauze, placed around your finger, or if you feel confident and the dog will allow, use cotton sticks. I like using gauze around my finger for my pet patients since it’s safer and more “no-fuss” for the dog.
Step-by-Step Ear Clean Instructions
So, you’ve placed the dog in a quiet room. Prepare all your tools and get ready for the job.
1. Checking your dog’s ears
First, inspect the area you’re about to clean. Look for signs of redness, inflammation, unusual odor, or excessive wax build-up. The wax is usually colored brown.
A healthy ear will have a light pink coloration, isn’t itchy, and has no detectable smell. If any of these symptoms are present, it’s best to consult a vet before proceeding.
2. Apply ear cleaner and massage the area
After the inspection, pour the ear cleaner directly inside the ear. Be sure not to touch the skin, as this might contaminate the entire bottle of cleaner.
Then, apply a gentle massage to make sure the solution has reached the bottom part of the ear canal. You will hear a squishing sound. This way of applying the cleaner has the role of softening the wax or debris, so you’ll be able to remove it better.
3. Prep for the cleaning
After the massage, which your dog will surely appreciate, start the cleaning process. If the dog behaves, it’s a one-man job. But if the dog doesn’t like its ears cleaned, try asking for help.
The other person who’s going to help must ensure the dog’s head is fixed with one hand between his/her arm and chest. The other hand lays on the dog’s croup (eg. behind), so it won’t stand.
Try setting the dog on a table or cabinet that allows you to stand while cleaning the ears. It’ll be easier to hold the dog.
4. Clean the ear flaps (pinnas)
Using a clean gauze placed around your finger, start by cleaning the ear pinna. Move around gently to remove any debris. Be careful not to push any dirt deeper into the ear canal. After you’ve finished with this portion, advance to the ear canal. Being gentle is the key.
5. Biggest step, the ear canal
Clean the inside of the ear canal smoothly, using cotton ear sticks, but don’t put pressure on the stick. Your dog might not like this. It may move its head around, and twitch, so you must ensure you don’t lose the stick inside its ear.
Before you put the cotton stick inside, watch how the cotton is threaded around the tip of the stick, clockwise or counterclockwise. And make sure it’s spun tightly on it.
When inside the ear, gently turn the stick in the sense in which the cotton wool is spun on it, or else the cotton might get caught inside the ear canal. Enter the ear canal as much as possible.
Because of the “L” shape of the canal, you won’t go near the eardrum. If the dog won’t let you do this, don’t insist on it. Some dogs may act like this because there’s pain or because they simply don’t like their ears cleaned.
If your dog belongs to a breed that has strands of hair inside the ear, like Malteses or some Terriers, these need plucking before the cleaning process.
6. Dry everything up and keep an eye on it
After you’ve finished cleaning the ears, dry your dog’s ears using a clean gauze or cotton ball. Be sure to monitor its condition for one or two days.
There shouldn’t be any itching, head shaking or scratching. A dog that has an ear issue will be seen scratching the area with its behind leg or against objects like beds or couches or shaking its head multiple times a day.
Any sign of redness or intensive scratching is a sign to rush to the vet.
Common ear issues in dogs range from yeast infections to bacterial infections and mite infestations. Some are favored by allergies or a predisposition due to ear shape.
How To Tell If There’s An Ear Problem
Symptoms of ear infections or infestations in dogs include:
- Head shaking or tilting.
- Persistent scratching at the base of the ear.
- Redness or injuries of the pinna.
- An abnormal squelching sound when the base of the ear is massaged.
- Discharge, which may be waxy, pus-like, or resemble coffee grounds (often a sign of ear mites).
- Foul odors.
How Often Is Good?
To prevent any ear issues that a dog might develop, try implementing a monthly cleaning routine, if possible, or at least monitoring, if the dog is reluctant. This involves:
- Check the pinna on both ears and the back of the pinna for any lesions.
- Check the hair around the ear for secretion.
- Smell the ear: a healthy ear has a certain smell, get used to it, and you’ll be able to tell if it’s changed.
- Avoid over-cleaning: once a month, if there isn’t any ongoing ear infection, is more than enough.
- Use only specialized products.
- Trim the hair on the outside of the ear periodically, to ensure a steady airflow, if you have a Cocker Spaniel or an Irish Setter, or pluck the hair inside regularly, if you own a Poodle, Airedale Terrier or a Maltese dog.
When To Rush To The Vet
In some cases, home cleaning can worsen an ear condition. If any symptoms are not typical, like persistent redness, swelling, unpleasant, foul odor, or unusual discharge, it’s time to rush to the vet.
These symptoms may indicate a parasite infestation, acute otitis, or even an auricular hematoma.
