Dog Ear Cleaning

We dog owners know that a dog’s hearing ability is far superior to what we humans have. A dog’s ears though are a very fragile and sensitive organ that is not only prone to infection but tends to get damaged easily as well. As such, a dog’s ears must be kept clean and free from foreign objects that can result to infection. Grooming the dog’s ears weekly would ensure that this delicate organ remains clean to prevent the development of ear health concerns.

One of the most common health concerns of dogs are ear infections. Floppy eared dogs, retrievers and other breeds that spend more time in the water are most prone to Otitis Externa, a type of ear infections. This ear infection occurs when the moisture is trapped inside the ears and prevented from being air dried as the ear opening is covered by the dog’s droopy ears. The damp environment of the ears makes a suitable breeding ground for bacteria. The dog’s ear concerns can also be due to ear mite infestation, to excessive earwax build up and to foreign objects like grass, grass seeds that were lodged inside the ears. Needless to say, all these ear health concerns can be prevented if the ears of the dog are regularly groomed as any developing ear problems can be spotted and treated early on.

To be able to make the task of grooming the dog’s ears easier, the owner has to have the right cleaning supplies. The dog owner will be needing a hemostat, a commercial ear cleaner, medicated ear powder and cotton. The dog’s ears must be inspected for foreign objects and signs of infectious before starting with the cleaning procedure. Smell the dog’s ears as a rancid smell is a sign of infection. Any foreign object in the dog’s ears must be removed.

Lift the ear flap to expose the area inside the dog’s ears. To make ear cleaning easier, hair inside the ears must be plucked. Gently clean the ears using cotton dampened with the cleaning solution. Be careful not to damage the ear drums when cleaning the dog’s ears.

Ear cleaning does not have to be done weekly if the ears are perfectly healthy but if there is an existing hear problem, the dog would benefit from more frequent ear cleaning. An ear mite infestation for instance is characterized by excessive ear wax build up. Apply mineral oil to the affected ear and massage thoroughly to smoother the ear mites. Moisten a cotton ball with the commercial ear cleaner and remove the softened ear wax.

Sarah’s Dogs has more information about dog grooming and dog ear care.