little dog sat down with ears sticking up

Many dog owners often wonder if they’re cleaning their dog’s ears correctly, and how often it should be done. 

Cleaning your dog’s ears is often something overlooked as part of their cleaning routine, but for many pets, it is extremely important. This is something that's incredibly easy to do from home and doesn’t take a lot to keep your dog’s ears well-maintained. 

How Often Should I Clean Them?

This answer entirely depends on your dog, as every dog is different. Breeds such as Basset Hounds and Ladradoodles will come across more ear problem as opposed to other breeds, and this will mean they need their ears cleaning a lot more. If you do a lot of swimming or outdoor walks with your dog, then you might find that their ears get dirtier much quicker, which can also lead to ear infections. 

In summary, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog’s ears at all times, especially if they are prone to ear infections. If you are worried about damaging the canal or causing irritation then always ask your vet, you don’t want to cause any other issues. 

dog with fluffy ears

How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears: Step By Step

Again, every dog is different, therefore your preference to cleaning their ears might vary. However, here are some of the basic steps you need to know.

Make sure your dog is happy - Before you do anything, it’s important to make sure that your dog is comfortable and happy. Making sure your dog is happy before touching their ears will make your life so much easier. 

Check the ears - Examine their ears before you put the cleaner in, check for any red marks, bad smells or rashes. There may be a small amount of wax in their ears, but if you notice anything alarming then it’s important to contact your vet. 

Get your ear cleaner - Firstly, gently wipe their ear, removing any excess wax. Once your dog’s ear is as clean as you can get it, grab your ear cleaner of choice and squeeze into the ear canal to release the liquid. 

Wipe away any excess liquid - Once your ear cleaner is in, massage the base of their ear to help it pass into the ear canal. You can now wipe away any excess liquid and let them be on their way. 

Signs That Your Dog Might Have an Ear Infection

You may notice that your dog's ears look a little different, they might have been scratching them more than usual or a foul smell might be lingering. Here are a few things that can indicate that your dog may have an ear infection. 

  • Red and inflamed 
  • Discharge coming from the ears 
  • Big clumps of earwax, red or brown in colour
  • Scratches or cuts in and around the ear 
  • Pawing or rubbing at the ear 
  • Blood in the ear wax 

This is why it’s so important to keep a close eye on your dog’s ears, and not to miss them out when doing their cleaning routine. Visit our range of eye and ear care products for our full range of must-have items.

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