How to Clean a Dog's Ears

By Celeste Stewart

Occasionally, it's a good idea to clean your dog's ears. But be careful - you don't want to overdo it and set him up for future ear infections. Excess water in the ears or over exuberant scrubbing could lead to irritation and a breeding spot for bacteria.

If your dog is susceptible to ear infections and gets them often, leave the cleaning to the professionals. If not, and you just want to remove some of the gunk, here are some simple ideas to get the job done.

Baby wipes aren't just for babies. They are moist, soft, gentle, and often have antibacterial properties. They won't leave the ear too wet, either. Place a fresh baby wipe on two fingers and gently swab the dog's ear, taking care to only clean the areas that you can see. As the wipe gets soiled, fold it over and continue wiping with a fresh section or a fresh wipe. Do not rub too hard, just a gentle sweeping of the area.

Another option is to purchase a commercial ear wash solution. This solution will be specially formulated for the ear and shouldn't cause further irritation. First, soak a cotton ball in the wash and squeeze out any excess wash. You want it to be moist but not soaking. Gently rub the inside of the dog's ear with the cotton ball. You may use a cotton swab moistened with ear wash for the nooks and crannies but do not place the swab in the ear canal.

A solution of one part vinegar, one alcohol and one part water works well as both a cleaner and a preventative. This solution is often used to prevent swimmer's ear. The vinegar works against any infection, the alcohol dries the ear and the water dilutes it so it's not too strong. Again, use cotton balls moistened with the solution and apply to the visible parts of the ear. If using as a flush, make sure to let the dog shake out the excess liquid. Do not use if you suspect the dog has an active ear infection.

Cleaning your dog's ears is simple so long as you use a gentle hand and do it as needed. Give him a good rub behind his ears and work your way to the actual swiping, this will ease the transition and won’t startle him so much.

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