While most dog owners know the importance of bathing and grooming their four-legged friends, one part of pet care often overlooked is your dog’s ears. If your pup has ever suffered from an ear issue like mites or an infection, you’ll know how much irritation it can cause your furry friend.
But is it necessary to regularly clean your dog’s ears at home, or should you wait until you suspect a problem? We believe at-home routine ear care is a critical step in dog grooming, as, without it, canines can develop a whole host of ear problems.
Dog ear issues are not just a pain to deal with, but they can be costly, too. And if ear infections go unnoticed for too long, they can spread, rupture the eardrum and lead to long-term complications. Therefore, like with all medical conditions, the best treatment is prevention, which is why every dog owner should know how to clean dog ears.
So, if you’re wondering, “how do I clean my dog’s ears?” read on. This guide explains the best way to clean dogs’ ears and everything you need to know about caring for this particular body part.
It’s essential to ensure you’re not cleaning your dog’s ears too much, as over-cleaning can be as harmful as never cleaning them. Excessive cleaning can lead to an irritated ear canal, possibly resulting in an infection.
Even so, deciding on a schedule for cleaning a dog’s ears will depend on the specific dog, as some breeds are more prone to ear issues than others. Once a month is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, if your pup has long, floppy ears or regularly swims, you may want to clean their ears every two weeks.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you don’t need many tools and supplies to clean your dog’s ears at home.
Follow these steps to learn how to clean a dog’s ears at home in a stress-free way.
If you’re using a vinegar and water solution to clean your pup’s ears, follow the above steps with these differences:
So what do you do if you notice signs of infection when cleaning your dog’s ears? If your canine seems in pain or discomfort, we suggest holding off the cleaning and booking an appointment with your vet instead. Your vet will examine the ear and determine what the problem is.
If diagnosed with a bacterial or yeast infection, your vet will prescribe ear drops and possibly antibiotics, depending on the severity. You’ll need to apply drops into your dog’s ears following your vet’s schedule. They will also inform you whether you should clean the ear before using the drops.
To apply ear drops:
Some ear drops need to be stored in the refrigerator. So, to make the experience more pleasant for your pup, you can warm it up first by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Check with your vet before doing this, and never put it in the microwave.
Another common ear problem with dogs is a parasite known as ear mites. Dogs can have a small amount of black dirt in their ears, which is not a cause for concern. However, if you notice excess dirt resembling coffee grounds or thick black gunk in dog ears, this could signify ear mites.
You might even suspect your pup of having this common parasite before you look into their ear. Mites can cause itching, making your dog excessively shake their head. Like with infections, if you suspect ear mites, it’s essential to get it checked by a vet.
Luckily, treating ear mites is not too complicated. Some spot-on treatments cover this annoying parasite, which you can apply to the back of the dog’s neck. Although these treatments are available over the counter, not all of them cover mites. What’s more, your dog’s condition may require additional treatment so always get a prescription from a vet. For example, your vet may prescribe ear drops to be used daily for several weeks, too.
Cleaning a dog’s ear can help you spot and treat any ear problems before they become serious. A regular ear cleaning routine can also prevent future issues, keeping your dog healthy and happy.
However, because every dog is different, we recommend discussing an at-home ear cleaning routine with your vet first. Your vet will advise how often your particular breed needs ear cleaning and check for any signs of ear problems, too.
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