Here’s a step-by-step guide that explains how to clean a dog’s ears –
Step 1 – Supplies
Get a vet-approved, good-quality ear-cleaning solution followed by cotton balls or gauze and a towel.
Step 2 – Get Seated
Make your dog sit in front of you between your legs with the back facing you. In the case of a big dog, make it sit in a corner of the room facing you.
Step 3 – Hold the Ear
Take one ear, hold the flap (pinna) and pull it up vertically exposing the ear canal.
Step 4 – Solution
Fill the ear canal with the cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can squeeze some solution on a cotton ball and insert it in the ear. It’s okay if some solution comes out of the ear. The only thing to take care of here is the tip of the bottle not touching the ear. If it does touch, it is advised to clean it with an alcohol-based solution to avoid the spread of bacteria or yeast.
Step 5 – Massage
While continuing to hold the ear up, take the other hand and massage the base of the ear below the opening for about 30 seconds. This helps in breaking the debris in the ear.
Step 6 – Wipe
Next, you need to take a cotton ball or gauze and wipe the inner and upper parts of the ear flap. Your dog may shake its head here and that’s completely okay. It will help the remaining solution and debris from the ear canal to move out. Make sure you clean the ear again with the cotton ball.
Step 7 - Go Deeper
You may now insert your finger in the ear along with the cotton ball or gauze and remove the solution or any debris from the inside. Only go as far as your fingers can reach. Do not use any Q-tip. It can damage the ear canal or ear drums or even push the debris deeper. You can repeat this unless the cotton ball comes out clean.
Step 8 – Repeat
Repeat the same with the other ear.
Step 9 – Praise
It’s time to enjoy some tasty treats for the both of you; for your dog for being patient and obedient and for you for doing a great job and ensuring good health for your buddy.
How to Clean Dog Ears at Home Naturally
If you want to learn how to clean a dog’s ears naturally, we are here to help! If you’re looking for natural solutions to clean your dog’s ears, coconut oil is one of the best options out there. You can pour a few drops of coconut oil into your dog’s ears and massage around the area as indicated in ‘step 5’ above. This will help to clean out excess wax from your dog’s ears.
One more option for you is olive oil. It works in the same way as coconut oil for your dog’s ears and hence becomes a good natural ear cleaner for them.
How to Clean Dog Ears Without Solution
For those of you who want to learn how to clean a dog's ears without a solution, there are other options available. But cleaning your dog’s ears with only cotton wouldn’t be as effective. You can use apple cider vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of lukewarm water. Use this mixture to clean the debris with a cotton ball.
Garlic oil is also an option for you. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and hence can also help with ear infections. To create a mixture, crush a couple of garlic cloves, add a bit of olive oil to it and let it stay overnight. You can then remove the garlic and use the oil as a cleanser.
Surprisingly, green tea is also a good option to use as a cleanser for your dog’s ears. Steep some green tea in a cup of water and let it cool down to room temperature. Take a cotton ball, dip it in the tea and use it to massage your dog’s ears gently. Do this daily for about 4 weeks and it will help reduce any kind of inflammation in the ears or any infections.
How to Clean Dog Ears with Hydrogen Peroxide
Well, the method here would be the same as for all other solutions. But the real question here would be is Hydrogen Peroxide safe for your dog’s ears? And the answer here would be ‘No’. It can damage your dog’s ears and irritate them. It can harm healthy skin cells and some sensitive ear tissues as well. It would be recommended to use only vet-recommended ear cleaning solutions or any of the above natural cleansers.
How Often Should I Clean My Dog's Ears?
You should check your dog’s ears once every 2 weeks and clean them once every 4 weeks. Dogs with floppy ears may need cleaning more often. However, if your dog has healthy ears with no signs of infection or excessive wax, you might not need to clean them as often.
How Dangerous is Brown Ear Discharge in Dogs?
The degree of danger from brown discharge from ears in dogs depends on the accompanying symptoms. Redness, swelling, odor, and itching indicate an infection. Allergies, foreign bodies, ear mites, etc. can also cause brown discharge from a dog’s ears. The reason can be as minor as excess wax buildup and as dangerous as tumors or polyps.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
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With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
