How to Clean Your Dog's Ears

They can be floppy, soft, large, or small. Dog ears come in all shapes and sizes. And while they may all look a little different, they all have one common purpose: to equip your dog to hear. The only problem: they often become dirty and infected, making hearing a difficult issue. This makes it vital that you clean your dog's ears to protect against a list of potential infections. Here are the steps along with necessary supplies to help you do just that.

Supplies:

• Ear cleaning solution
• Cotton balls
• Tweezers
• Towel
• Dog Treats
• Gloves (if applicable)

Step 1: Wash your hands or wear gloves.

To ensure that cleaning your dog's ears doesn't cause any further issues, it is important that your hands are clean or that you wear gloves. This will protect your dog against any further infections.

Step 2: Examine your dog's ears.

Examine your pooch's ears for potential infections or problems. Some symptoms to look for include the following: discharge, bad odors, hair loss, dry skin, redness. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your local veterinarian for proper diagnosis. These symptoms are likely the result of an infection.

Step 3: Trim ear hair.

If your dog's ear hair is beginning to get too long, you will want to carefully trim the hair. This will prevent the hair from matting and, ultimately, attracting further dirt particles.

Step 4: Add drops to ears.

Add appropriate ear cleaning solution to your dog's ears. Simply drop 1-2 drops of the solution in your pup's ears and begin massaging the base of the ears to help mix the drops.

Step 5: Add ear cleaning solution into ear by using a cotton ball.

Use an appropriate ear cleaning solution to clean your dog's ears. Some of the possible options include: vet-recommended ear cleaning solution, mineral oil, or a homemade mixture (1 part table vinegar, 2 parts water). Ultimately, you will want to make sure that your preferred solution is approved by your veterinarian. This will ensure that the solution is safe for your pet.

To clean the ear, simply add a couple of drops of the solution onto a cotton ball. Then, use the cotton ball to rub the solution into the ear and clean the ear. Start at the top of the ear and slowly move lower in the inner ear. When the ear begins giving you even slight resistance, do not go any lower in the ear to protect your dog's ear drum from any potential damage. Do not insert Q-tips into your pooch's ears as they can cause damage to the ear drum.

Step 6: Reward your dog.

Upon completion of cleaning your pup's ears, be sure to reward your dog with a treat and ample praise for his good behavior. This positive reinforcement will help make the dog comfortable each time you clean his ears.

So, that's how you can effectively clean your dog's ears. You should clean your pooch's ears either weekly or bi-weekly depending on the breed of your dog. Consult with your veterinarian, for applicable ear cleaning information for your pouch.