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Effective tips to get the gunk out of your dog’s ears
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One very important way you can monitor your dog's health is to examine its ears weekly. We may not think to do this on our own but is it especially important for dogs that have floppy ears or dogs with allergies. Many times, when inspecting the ears you will find that they need cleaning. Cleaning a dog’s ears at home is fairly simple as long as the ears are not infected or damaged. Ensure proper ear care for your loyal companion by regularly inspecting and cleaning its ears, floppy or otherwise.
Steps
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Purchase a commercial dog ear cleaner or make you own with common household products. Either cleaner can be used on the outer portion of the inside of the ear flap. The procedure for cleaning the ear is the same with a commercial ear cleaner as it is with the homemade version.
- Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar and the same amount of rubbing alcohol together in a clean bowl. Make sure it is at room temperature prior to using, as no one, dogs included, likes cold fluid on their ears. This mixture is safe to use on the visible inner part of your dog’s ears. DO NOT use this mix if you suspect your dog has an ear infection and do not pour into the ear canal itself.
- There are many good all-purpose dog ear cleaners on the market. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what you can purchase locally. You can also ask for recommendations at your local pet supply store.
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Dip a cotton ball into the liquid. Squeeze out the excess so the cotton is wet but not dripping. If you have a very small dog, you may want to use half of a cotton ball.- Alternatively, you can wrap a piece of gauze loosely around your pointer finger and dip it in the liquid. The gauze shouldn't be sopping wet. If you accidentally put too much cleaner on it, wring it out a bit and continue. This is a gentler alternative to a Q-Tip, which can make your dog a bit uncomfortable. Just hold the gauze in place with your thumb and index finger.
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Gently swab the inside of your dog's ear flap. Remove all dirt and debris you can see. [1] X Expert Source Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian Expert Interview. 29 June 2021. If your dog has very dirty ears, the process may take quite a few cotton balls. As long as you're gentle and stay towards the front of the hearing canal, your dog should tolerate this procedure very well.- Clean gently though, as the skin can be easily broken. Vinegar and alcohol can sting broken skin.
- Make sure to gently clean out the crevices as dirt and wax can build up in these areas.
- Clean the inside of both ears.
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Irrigate your dog's ears fully only if it's recommended to do so by a veterinarian. If your veterinarian advises, usually because the ears are packed full of dirt and wax, you can use the ear cleaner to irrigate (or drench the ears). This should remove much of the sticky thick material from the ear canal.
- To do so, position the tip of the ear cleaner bottle right at the opening to the ear canal inside the ear flap. Squeeze the bottle to drench the ear canal with fluid. Gently rub the base of the ear (thumb on one side, fingers on others) and massage the ear (very gently!) in this manner for 60 seconds.
- Use gauze or cotton to clean out the gunk that comes out of the ear. Most likely you will use a lot if the ears are full of debris.
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Let your dog clear out its ears after cleaning. It is natural for your dog to want to shake his or her head after cleaning. Let it do so, but turn your face so you don’t get fluid or debris in your eyes. This will help to clean any excess cleaning fluid out of the ear canal.
- After your dog has shaken out any excess liquid, give the ears another wipe with gauze or cotton balls. This will remove any material brought out from the ear canal during the head shaking.
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Clean your dog's ears regularly. A weekly ear inspection and cleaning (if necessary) would be a great schedule to adhere to and will help you keep on top of any potential ear health problems. Dirt accumulates rather fast and can lead to an infection, especially with floppy-eared canines.
- You only need to clean your dog's ears if there is visible debris in them. [2]
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Expert Source
Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.
- You only need to clean your dog's ears if there is visible debris in them. [2]
X
Expert Source
Ray Spragley, DVM
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Inspect the general condition of your dog's ears. Have your dog sit or stand near you so you can see easily in its ears. If all you see is dirt or normal earwax you can begin cleaning your dog's ears.
- Look for any drainage of fluid from the ear (clear or gray/brown), thick waxy material, or any scratches, scabs or wounds. If you see any of these signs DO NOT clean the ear and contact your dog’s veterinarian for advice.
- You will not be able to see deep into the ear canal, as at the base of the ear, where it meets the head, it takes a sharp turn. Therefore, it is not advised to do a deep cleaning into the ears without instructions from your veterinarian. NEVER use a Q tip in the canal itself as you can compact material into this sharp turn or even rupture the eardrum. [3]
X
Expert Source
Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.
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Look for parasites and foreign bodies in the ear. Dogs can harbor any number of unwanted entities in their ears. Dogs that frequently run through grasses or wooded areas can get foreign bodies such as plant awns, grass, or seeds in their ears. If you notice any of these problems, you can first try to (very gently) remove the offending object or try to clean the ears to remove these things. If this doesn’t work, you will need to take your dog to your veterinary professional.
- Mites, ticks and fleas all enjoy the relatively hidden spots in and around the ears. Mites make the ears intensely itchy and can make the ear produce a thick, brown discharge. You will need to have a veterinarian diagnose and treat ear mites. Ticks and fleas can be killed (and prevented) by the various topical flea and tick prevented easily purchased from your veterinarian.
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Inspect the ears for any signs of a yeast infection. [4] X Research source Kirk and Bistner’s Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. Ford and Mazzaferro. Elsevier. A yeast infection makes the ears smell funky, itchy and produce a brownish discharge. These fungal infections need special medicine to clear the infection; cleaning alone will not cure a yeast infection, in fact it might make the condition worsen. Take your dog to its veterinarian if you see any of these symptoms.
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Look for the signs of a bacterial infection in the outer part of the ear. [5] X Research source The Merck Veterinary Manual. Overview of Otitis Externa. Bacterial ear infections can range from a mild infection easily cleared with medication to serious infections causing the dog to feel very unwell. A veterinarian needs to be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial ear infections due to the potential for serious complications.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhy does my dog keep shaking his head after getting his ears cleaned?Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.Excess fluid left in the ear after cleaning is probably making your dog uncomfortable, which is why he's shaking his head.
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QuestionCan you clean your dog's ears at home with Q-tips?Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.Avoid using Q-tips to clean your dog's ears, as these may push more debris into your dog's ear canal.
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QuestionHow do you clean wax out of a dog's ears?Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.Use an ear cleaning solution to flush out the ear and cotton balls to wipe away any debris and excess solution. Always dry off the ear with a towel once you're done.
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Tips
- Use a calming fragrance, like eucalyptus oil, to help keep your dog calm while you clean its ears. Just make sure you dilute the oil properly with water so it's not too concentrated. [6] X Expert Source Terryl Daluz
Owner, Wash My Dog Pet Grooming Expert Interview. 18 February 2020.Thanks - Rewarding the dog after a cleaning helps it relax and realize that if it cooperates the next time, it will get a treat.Thanks
- After your dog swims is a good time to clean its ears. The cleaning solution will help remove any water in the ear, which is good because water that can cause a dog to develop an ear infection.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never insert a cotton swab deep into your dog's ear canal! This can cause permanent hearing damage.Thanks
- Never use water to clean your dog's ears, as it can flow into the ear canal and cause an ear infection.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Dog ear cleaner
- Cotton balls or gauze
References
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Kirk and Bistner’s Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. Ford and Mazzaferro. Elsevier.
- ↑ The Merck Veterinary Manual. Overview of Otitis Externa.
- ↑ Terryl Daluz. Owner, Wash My Dog Pet Grooming. Expert Interview. 18 February 2020.
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean your dog’s ears, make a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 rubbing alcohol and let it come to room temperature. Then, dip a cotton ball into the liquid and squeeze out any excess fluid so the ball is just damp. Next, lift your dog’s ears and rub the inside of the flap with the cotton ball. Do not use this mixture to clean the dog’s ear canal unless it is recommended by a veterinarian. Repeat this process once a week, if possible. Scroll down for tips from our Veterinary reviewer on how to check your dog’s ears for yeast infections and tumors.
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Reader Success Stories
- "My dog constantly suffered from ear problems until I came acoss this very helpful article. 70% water, 30% vinegar solution, and some cotton bud tips does the job fabulously. The ear drops from the vets didn't work as well as this." ..." more
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"My dog constantly suffered from ear problems until I came acoss this very helpful article. 70% water, 30% vinegar solution, and some cotton bud tips does the job fabulously. The ear drops from the vets didn't work as well as this."
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"I never knew what to look for in my dog's ears. We woke up this morning to him scratching and shaking his head. I will be taking him to his vet, but I learned how to clean his ears the right way! Thanks for all the helpful advice."
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"Advised me a great deal. I looked for how to clean my dogs ears, as I didn't know if one could use q-tips. No q-tips, but also learned how important it is to clean weekly. Comments helpful as well."
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"Proper cleaning of the ear, informative. Too bad some people post questions, when the answer is in the articles! Lazy!"
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"Good advice to never use alcohol, vinegar, or even plain water in interior ear canals. Didn't know that."
