Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears – Home Remedies or a Vet Visit Only?

Hearing, alongside smell, is one of a dog’s most important senses. The mobility of a dog’s ears, controlled by as many as 18 muscles, allows them to turn toward the source of a sound. For these senses to function properly, it’s essential to keep a dog’s ears clean and healthy. Wild canines are able to manage their own ear hygiene, but domestic dogs need our help in this regard. So how should we clean our pet’s ears?

Ear Cleaning as a Key Grooming Task

Ear cleaning is a basic grooming task, especially important for breeds prone to various kinds of hearing conditions. Drooping ears with dense hair growth inside create an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi, being warm, moist and poorly ventilated. Breeds such as Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, Bloodhounds or Spaniels have the greatest tendency toward ear problems.

Symptoms of Ear Problems

Symptoms of ear problems can include: scratching at the ears, shaking the head, or not responding when called by the owner. These are signs that we should check the condition of our dog’s ears. If we notice a brown discharge coming from the ears, it’s essential to see a vet, who will take a sample of the discharge for testing. The appearance of the discharge can often give an initial indication of what’s troubling your pet.

How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Ear cleaning should be carried out when the dog is relaxed. This gives the owner the chance to thoroughly check the condition of the discharge, remove any other debris from the ear flap, and trim excess hair.

Getting Your Dog Used to Ear Cleaning

Your dog should be gradually accustomed to having its ears cleaned at home, ideally starting from puppyhood. After each grooming session, it’s a good idea to reward your dog with a treat. If the procedure is carried out incorrectly, the dog may experience discomfort or even pain, which can lead to stress or aggression.

Ear Cleaning Products

Professional ear cleaning products can be used, but as a last resort, if you don’t have the right products on hand, you can use boiled water or a saline solution. However, care must be taken not to damage the eardrum.

Important: never use products intended for humans to clean your dog’s ears, such as cotton buds or cotton wool. Cotton buds can break during cleaning, and cotton wool can cause inflammation in the ear.

When Should You See a Vet?

If you notice that the discharge from your dog’s ears is dark brown and has an unpleasant smell, it’s essential to see a vet.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

Healthy dog ears should be cleaned about once a week on average, although in the case of a dog with a confirmed infection, this may need to be done daily, or even twice a day.