Here’s what to know about when and how to clean dog ears — without exacerbating any health issues or creating new ones — according to a veterinarian.The shape of a dog’s ear can also contribute to perpetually trapped dirt. You may be able to find more information on their web site. Some were big and some were small, but they all had one thing in common, they needed their ears cleaned.
If you feel uncomfortable about the flushing process, ask your veterinarian for an in-office demonstration. You may have to choose between alcohol-based and alcohol-free formulations.
Dog breeds with floppy ears like Spaniels are more vulnerable to infections and dirtier ears in general," she says. Always clean and dry ears after swimming ; When bathing your dog, try to avoid getting water in their ear canal.
Alesandra is a veteran digital journalist based in Los Angeles, who has covered travel, food, events, fashion and beauty, entertainment, home, parenting, and viral content for more than 15 years. This commenting section is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page. Just as humans need to know when and how to clean our own ears for effective grooming, we need to do the same for our dogs’ ears to promote good health and comfort.
You can do it at home with a vet-recommended cleaning solution.
“I’m not encouraging people to clean the ear every day and do it as a precautionary, because that sometimes will render the ear more susceptible to maceration [when the skin breaks down after exposure to moisture] or infections,” says Dr. Loft. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.
“However, many times a person will assume their dog’s ears are dirty and it is actually excessive debris from a yeast infection or discharge from a bacterial infection, or both.
Cleaning Solution Commercial ear cleaner for dogs can be purchased at pet supply stores.
Regularly check your dog’s ears for excess wax, offensive smells, pain, swelling or redness. If the hair is obstructing the entrance to the canal, clipping of the hair on the outside may help increase visualization of the entrance and allow for better flushing.Finally, it is important to discuss an ear-flushing program with your veterinarian before starting on your own.
This is particularly true for breeds with long ears that hang, as they are at the highest risk of developing ear infections.
“If the ears are truly just dirty, then it is more of just a hygiene issue,” Freeman says.
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However, since inflammation or masses can upset the normal epithelial migration, ear flushing is often a part of treating ear disease in pets. When it comes to cleaning dog ears, Dr. Loft warns pet parents that too much ear cleaning can actually damage your pet’s ears. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Allergies or infections could be among other causes, she says, so identify your dog’s risk factors based on its Over-cleaning your dog’s ears could actually contribute to irritation or even cause an infection, rather than prevent one — so try to do it only when it is actually needed. Ear infections can be extremely painful for pets and require treatment prescribed by a veterinarian.”If and when it’s time to clean, Freeman advises having a cotton ball or gauze at the ready, along with ear-cleaning solution (you should get a recommendation from your vet) and a towel.