Clean Dog Ears Yourself

Regular ear care in dogs fulfills an important preventive function.

Because untreated secretion deposits or a parasite infestation can impair the hearing and sense of balance of dogs and permanently damage the sensitive sensory organs.

In this article you will find out how to clean dog ears yourself and when you should seek veterinary treatment.

That Is Why Ear Care Is Important

As a rule, dog ears have functioning self-cleaning mechanisms through the formation of cerumen/earwax and the lining with protective hairs, which ensure the health of the sensitive sensory organs. In particular, the ear secretion serves to remove dirt particles, dead skin cells and hair.

Nevertheless, dog ears can become susceptible to dirt accumulation and pathogens for various reasons, which in turn pose health risks.

To prevent ear diseases, preventive ear care in the form of regular checks and, if necessary, careful cleaning is of great importance. If the dog’s ears are cleaned, if necessary, dirt accumulation or drying of secretions can be prevented. Noticeable changes in the dog’s ears, such as reddening or unpleasant smells, can also be noticed at an early stage and treated by a veterinarian.

How Do I Know That Dog Ears Should Be Cleaned?

Cleaning procedures that are not necessary would interfere with the self-cleaning cycle of the dog’s ears and strain the sensitive sensory organs. Therefore, during the intensive examination of the ears, it is important to check them for any noticeable signs and only clean the dog’s ears in this case.

Healthy dog ​​ears are light pink on the inside and do not show any sores, lumps or swellings. A small amount of earwax is evidence of the dog’s self-cleaning powers and should therefore not be removed.

In addition, if there are no deposits in the form of secretions or dirt particles, or if there are any sweet or acetic odours, the dog’s ears do not need to be cleaned.

However, if you discover a lot of excess earwax, dried secretion or dirt accumulations during the check, the dog’s ears should be cleaned very carefully.

In addition, certain breeds may require more frequent inspection and cleaning. The following characteristics are associated with the risk of increased susceptibility to ear problems:

• Long-haired dog breeds

Dogs with a long coat usually also have a very pronounced growth of fur in the auricle. The dense fur often covers the sensitive auditory canal, making it difficult for earwax to drain naturally and for air circulation. This promotes the development of inflammation and the establishment of pathogens such as germs, mites or ticks. To prevent this, you should check and clean your dog’s ears at particularly regular intervals, if necessary.

• Hanging and crooked ears

Bent and overhanging ears have poor air circulation and are prone to the accumulation of parasites, fungi and bacteria due to the warm, humid environment.

The usually narrow auditory canal of kinky ears is also associated with an increased risk of pathogens and accumulations of dirt.

In the case of long-haired dog breeds and dogs with hanging and crooked ears, ideally check them daily after going for a walk. This is particularly advisable in areas with grain fields. For all other dog breeds, a guide value of 1-2 times a month is recommended.

Cleaning Dog Ears Properly – This Is Important To Note

Under no circumstances should cotton swabs or other pointed objects be used to clean the dog’s ears! These can injure internal ear structures such as the eardrum and only transport the ear secretion deeper into the auditory canal.

With What And How Can Dog Ears Be Carefully Cleaned?

The following tools are suitable for a gentle cleaning process:

• A lint-free cotton cloth soaked in warm water: This can be wrapped around the index finger. Gently run your finger over the inner ear cup several times.
• Special ear cleaning tissues or cleaning pads for dogs: These are soaked in a gentle, skin-friendly cleaning solution and, with these essences such as aloe vera, prevent possible irritation of the auricle. This can also be used to gently wipe the auricle and remove dirt or excess secretion.

Tip for the cleaning process: Pick up one ear by its tip and always wipe from the entrance of the ear canal towards the tip of the ear. Repeat this process until the dirt particles, excess secretions or earwax are removed. Do this as gently as possible so as not to injure the sensitive ear. Limit yourself to cleaning only the pinna of the dog’s ears. A fresh cotton cloth/pad/wipe should be used for each dog ear to avoid redistributing the removed particles.

• Special ear cleaning agents suitable for dogs that dissolve dirt particles and deposits: the mild rinsing solution is dripped into the dog’s ear and gently massaged in from the outside with your fingers. The deposits loosened in this way can be gently wiped off with a soft cloth. The dog will then follow the impulse to shake itself vigorously, thus pushing more loosened particles out of its ears.

It is best to clarify the use of such agents for dog ears beforehand with the veterinarian. Used before visiting the vet, they could interfere with the diagnosis of ear diseases.

When Should Dog Ears Be Cleaned And Examined By The Vet?

If you discover one or more of the following symptoms when checking your dog’s ears regularly, you should have this clarified as part of a veterinary ear examination, the otoscopy in the dog:

• atypical odor from the ears/earwax
• increased earwax build-up
• redness of the ears
• ear discharge
• injuries
• Swelling of part or all of the ear

Such phenomena are usually an indication of an existing ear disease, such as an ear infection / otitis.

Earache in dogs and other diseases from the pinna to the auditory canal can be recognized at the behavioral level by the following signs, among others:

• frequent shaking of the head
• frequent rubbing/scratching of head/ears
• head tilt
• touch sensitivity
• Restlessness, anxiety or aggressiveness
• swaying, staggering gait

In all of these cases, you should refrain from trying to clean the dog’s ears yourself!

If these symptoms are based on ear diseases, the veterinarian must carefully and professionally clean the ears. In addition, a veterinary consultation is essential to identify the cause and treat it effectively.