How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears Properly

Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of maintaining their overall health and hygiene. Dogs are prone to ear infections and buildup of wax or dirt, especially in breeds with long, floppy ears or those that love to swim. Proper ear cleaning helps prevent infections, itching, and other painful conditions.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to clean your dog’s ears properly, what tools to use, when you should clean your dog’s ears, and address some common questions about ear care for dogs.

Why Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Is Important

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from various ear problems, such as:

• Ear infections: Bacteria and yeast thrive in a dog’s ears, especially if they are exposed to moisture. Ear infections can be painful, leading to discomfort, foul smells, and hearing loss if untreated.
• Ear mites: Tiny parasites that can infest your dog’s ears, causing itching, redness, and inflammation.
• Excessive wax buildup: This can block the ear canal and lead to discomfort or infection.
• Foreign bodies: Debris like grass, dirt, or plant matter can enter the ear, causing irritation or infection.
• Bad odor: A smelly ear can indicate an infection or excessive wax buildup that needs attention.

Regular cleaning helps prevent these problems and keeps your dog’s ears healthy.

What You Need to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

To clean your dog’s ears, you need the following items:

1. Ear cleaning solution: Purchase a safe and gentle dog-specific ear cleaner. Do not use human ear drops or alcohol, as they can irritate the delicate skin in your dog’s ears.
2. Cotton balls or gauze pads: These are gentle enough to clean the ear canal without causing damage.
3. Towels: To clean up any excess moisture or to wipe the outer ear area.
4. A treat: Having a reward ready will help make the process more positive for your dog.
5. Gloves (optional): If your dog has an infection or ear mites, gloves can protect you from coming into contact with potentially contagious matter.

Steps to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Step 1: Prepare Your Dog for Cleaning

• Choose a calm environment: It’s essential to keep the environment calm and quiet, as your dog may become anxious. Choose a time when your dog is relaxed and comfortable. Some people find it easier to clean their dog’s ears after a walk or during a relaxed moment at home.
• Gently handle your dog: If your dog is anxious about ear cleaning, use a gentle and soothing tone to calm them. Some dogs may not like their ears being touched, so it’s important to approach the cleaning session with patience.
• Position your dog: You can either place your dog on your lap, on a table, or on the floor. Some people prefer having their dog sit on their lap or on their back to access their ears easily. Make sure your dog is stable and doesn’t try to wriggle away.

Step 2: Inspect the Ears

Before cleaning, take a moment to visually inspect your dog’s ears. Look for signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or a foul smell, which could indicate an infection. If you notice any of these signs, or if your dog seems to be in pain, it’s best to consult a vet before proceeding with cleaning.

• Look inside the ear: Check for excessive wax, dirt, or foreign material. The inside of a healthy dog’s ear should be clean, dry, and light pink in color.
• Smell: If the ear has a bad odor, it might be a sign of infection.
• Feel for tenderness: Gently touch the base of your dog’s ear and see if they flinch or react. Pain may suggest an infection.

READ ALSO: How Yeast Infections Affect Your Dog’s Skin

Step 3: Apply the Ear Cleaning Solution

• Use the ear cleaner: Gently lift the ear flap and apply the recommended amount of ear cleaner into the ear canal. Do not force the tip of the bottle into the ear. Instead, squeeze the bottle so the cleaner flows into the ear canal.
• Massage the base of the ear: Once the solution is in, gently massage the base of the ear to distribute the cleaner throughout the ear canal. You should hear a squishing sound as the cleaner moves around. This step helps loosen any dirt or wax buildup.

Step 4: Wipe Away Excess Dirt and Wax

• Use a cotton ball or gauze pad: After massaging, let your dog shake their head to remove the excess cleaner and any loosened debris. This is normal, and it helps to clear the ear canal.
• Clean the outer ear: After the shake, use a cotton ball or gauze pad to wipe away the excess moisture, dirt, or wax from the visible parts of the ear, like the ear flap and the outer ear canal. Be gentle and avoid inserting anything deep into the ear canal, as this can cause damage.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

If the ear still looks dirty or there is residual wax, repeat the cleaning process with a new cotton ball or gauze. It’s important not to overdo it with the cleaning solution—once or twice should be enough.

Step 6: Reward Your Dog

After the ear cleaning, offer your dog a treat and praise them for being cooperative. Positive reinforcement will help your dog associate ear cleaning with good things, making it easier next time.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

The frequency of ear cleaning depends on your dog’s breed, lifestyle, and health condition:

1. Breeds prone to ear problems: Dogs with long, floppy ears (like Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Labrador Retrievers) or dogs that swim often should have their ears cleaned regularly, about once every 1–2 weeks.
2. Healthy, short-eared dogs: Dogs with short ears (such as Beagles, Boxers, and Dachshunds) usually need less frequent cleaning, about once a month, unless they are showing signs of infection.
3. Dogs with ear infections: If your dog has an ear infection or excess wax buildup, your veterinarian might recommend more frequent cleaning, sometimes multiple times a week, until the issue is resolved.

What to Do If Your Dog’s Ears Are Infected?

If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, avoid cleaning the ears on your own unless instructed by a veterinarian. Signs of infection include:

• Redness or swelling inside the ear
• Thick, yellow, brown, or bloody discharge
• A strong odor coming from the ear
• Scratching or pawing at the ear
• Tilting or shaking the head

Infections require medical treatment, usually in the form of ear drops or oral antibiotics. Always follow your vet’s instructions for treating an ear infection. 

FAQs

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my dog’s ears?

Hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for routine ear cleaning, as it can irritate the sensitive skin in the ear canal. Stick to a dog-safe ear cleaning solution instead.

My dog’s ears smell bad. What should I do?

A bad odor often signals an ear infection, yeast infection, or a buildup of wax. Clean the ears carefully, but if the smell persists or if your dog is showing signs of discomfort, consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Should I be concerned if my dog’s ears are always dirty?

If your dog’s ears are consistently dirty, it might be a sign of an underlying issue like ear mites, allergies, or an infection. Regular cleaning can help, but it’s best to consult your vet if the problem persists.

Can I use Q-tips to clean my dog’s ears?

Q-tips are not recommended because they can push debris further into the ear canal and cause injury. Use cotton balls or gauze pads instead for gentle cleaning.

How can I tell if my dog’s ear is infected?

Signs of an ear infection include redness, swelling, discharge, odor, and pain when touching the ear. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet for an examination and treatment.

Is it normal for my dog to shake its head after ear cleaning?

Yes, shaking the head is common after cleaning as it helps remove excess cleaner and debris from the ear. It’s completely normal and nothing to worry about.