It is recommended to check the pet’s ears once a week or at least twice a month.
Dog ears tend to get dirty very easily, sometimes generating infections that can be avoided. Find out how to clean dog ears.
These are in fact one of the most sensitive areas of the animal and among those that get dirty more easily, generating problems.
For this it is essential to learn how to clean the dog’s ears to prevent pain, redness or accumulation of bacteria.
When to clean a dog’s ears?
We have the bad habit of not giving too much importance to the hygiene of this part of the dog’s body, focusing more on the coat or on the paws, as well as on oral hygiene . However, cleaning your dog’s ears is vital as the area is very sensitive and vulnerable to infection.
It is recommended to check the pet’s ears once a week or at least twice a month. The periodicity will depend on the shape and size of the ears (not the same in the case of a Cocker Spaniel or a Doberman).
Some dog breeds with “plugged” ears are more prone to suffering from infections in this area; this is the case with the Basset Hound , which has drooping ears.
Your dog’s ears should also be washed if rain has entered them or if he has taken a bath in the sea or swimming pool.
Other cases in which more attention should be paid are walks, if the dog has got dirty with the earth in the park or if it has entered the mud.
Method for cleaning your dog’s ears
To avoid infections, accumulation of germs and bacteria, it is recommended to clean the dog’s ears at least once a month. You can take advantage of the moment you bathe it by remembering to dry it thoroughly when finished. Pay attention to these tips:
1. Examine the dog’s ears
Position yourself at the height of the animal and lift its ears. Check for wax or dirt, such as sand or earth. If so, you will have no problem cleaning your ears yourself.
If, on the other hand, you notice a fluid abscess, a very red area or a thick layer of brown, gray or yellow earwax, or even blood, take him to the vet right away. Your dog may be in a lot of pain due to an infection.
2. Look for ticks or other foreign bodies
In the ears the dog can host different organisms … this is the favorite space for ticks . Even more so if the dog frequents areas of grass or earth, such insects are more likely to sneak into his ears.
If you notice ticks, moisten some cotton with alcohol and press it on the parasite for a few seconds, until the tick detaches itself from the skin. If you try to pull it off hard, you could hurt your dog.
3. Buy a special solution
In pet stores, specific products for cleaning the dog’s ears are on sale. Many contain alcohol, but it is recommended to use only the outer part of the ear . For the interior, it is better to choose a solution free of invasive agents.
4. Use some cotton balls
Make a ball with a little cotton and moisten it with the purchased solution. Insert it carefully into the dog’s ear. Keep in mind that cleaning must be superficial, avoid getting the cotton on the eardrum.
Remove all dirt and debris you see. You may have to repeat the operation several times to get rid of them completely. Remember to always use a lot of delicacy not to damage the animal’s skin.
5. Ear spray
Using the same solution, if your vet recommends it, you can rinse your ears to get rid of ear wax and dirt lodged deep in the ear canal . It’s easy: place the tip of the bottle in your ear and press to release the liquid. Massage carefully and turn the dog’s head to make it succeed along with the dirt residue.
Finally, we recommend that you carefully dry your dog’s ears once finished. If the dog shakes his head, don’t worry, this is normal.
Cleaning Dog’s Ears
The ears are a much more sensitive area in dogs than in people, therefore special attention must be paid to preserve their condition; hygiene is essential to avoid the development of infections
The ears are one of the most sensitive areas in dogs. It is evident the greater power of the dog’s ear compared to the human one, given their sensitivity to sounds higher up to four or five times our own.
As with human ears, however, canine ears also tend to get dirty over time. Dog ears have a very different structure from those of humans. For this reason we want to give you some advice to keep them clean.
An infallible hearing
A dog’s hearing can pick up sounds on frequencies that humans can’t reach at all. Everything is due to the unique structure of the ears and the arrangement of the hearing cells.
Depending on the breed, there may be differences in the ear that can affect the performance of hearing in the dog . Usually, the “pavilion” of the canine ear can be presented in two ways: completely drooping, or folded in half.
What does the different structure of the ear affect ? On the quantity of sounds that this can intercept . A cocker spaniel , with its falling pavilion, cannot hear the same sound that the Husky hears, which has a tense pavilion instead.
Furthermore, the position of the pavilion affects the diseases that the animal is likely to contract in those areas . If we go back to the previous example, the cocker is much more likely to go deaf as the years go by, while the husky takes a lot less risk in this regard.
However, one thing all dog breeds have in common is the care they take to clean their ears . For anyone new to the pet world, cleaning dog ears is likely to be a little known practice. That’s why we want to give you some more information about this area of your four-legged friend.
Tips for cleaning dog’s ears:
The cleaning of this area in dogs must be done at least twice a week . The reason is the prevention of diseases that can disturb the hearing of our four-legged friend and the danger that the animal’s ear canal is blocked.
Doing this is very simple , and in most cases you will only need hydrogen peroxide, cotton and a cloth to dry. The advice is to reassure the animal if it is not used to being touched against its will.
First of all check the outside of the animal’s ear ; if there are residues of ear wax, dirt or some other external agent, it is advisable to remove it as soon as possible. If there are parasites of some kind, it is instead essential to take the dog to a veterinarian, to learn more about the procedure to follow.
Next, check the state of the inner ear area ; this part typically has a pale pink color which indicates a good state of health. Clean the area gently and delicately , using a piece of cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide or some specific serum for dogs.
Slowly and carefully remove the foreign elements from the ear , always avoiding that they end up in the ear canal of the animal. Also try to prevent the piece of cotton from leaking liquid into the ear, as it could cause pain and discomfort to the dog.
Once you have finished cleaning, wipe off any excess moisture that may have deposited with another piece of cotton or gauze . Repeat the operation on the other ear as well and reward your dog for his behavior.
What happens if we don’t clean our dog’s ears regularly?
Dog ears , like ours, release a natural secretion that helps prevent disease . The problem is that this agent usually stagnates in the internal duct , obstructing the way to sound.
If the ear is affected by any disease, the dog can suffer a lot, as otitis or inflammation of the ears in dogs is a serious problem . Cleaning the ear also serves to prevent any residual liquids from drying out and irritating the animal’s skin.
Cleaning your dog’s ears is a habit that should be done since they are puppies. Remember that physical health is not only given by the coat and body of your four-legged friend; all areas of his body must always be at their best.
