How to Clean a Canine Ear Canal
Cleaning your dog's ears twice a month, or as recommended by your veterinarian, will help to keep them healthy and free of disease. Additionally, when you clean the ears regularly, you are more likely notice any problems in their early stages. This means that you can get timely treatment for your canine companion. To keep your best friend in top health, make ear cleaning a regular part of your dog's grooming routine.
Materials
- Non medicated ear cleaner, labeled for use in dogs
- Cloth or gauze squares
- Dog treats
Procedure
- Call the dog over to you, and talk softly to calm him. When he is calm, look in one of his ears.
- Examine the ear. There may be hair, ear wax or some dirt. These are normal. Look for redness, discharge or bleeding from the ear, and check for increased sensitivity and signs of ear pain or itchy ears. If you notice any of these signs, or you feel that your dog has hearing loss, do not go forward with the cleaning. These are signs of more serious ear problems. Consult a veterinarian for appropriate treatment. If the first ear appears healthy, examine the other ear.
- Lift the ear flap on one of the dog's ears. With your other hand, instill the ear cleaner in the ear. Do not touch the tip of the bottle to the skin. Use the amount of cleaner specified on the label.
- Release the ear flap. Massage the base of the dog's ear for about 20 seconds to work the cleaner into the ear canal. Let the dog shake his head.
- Wipe any discharge or cleaner away from the outer ear with the cloth or gauze squares. Never insert anything into a dog's ear canal. If cleaning with an over the counter ear cleaner does not adequately clean the dog's ears, you need to take him to a veterinarian.
- Repeat the same procedure for the other ear.
- Reward the dog with treats and praise for his patience. Making ear cleaning a more positive experience for the dog will make the process go more smoothly in the future.