Judy Powell
We all know that there’s a difference between a dog’s ears and that of a human. Dogs have long pointy ears, compared to our relatively small ones. However, just like us, their ears get dirty and need to be cleaned regularly. Since they cannot clean their ears themselves, it’s up to us to help them out. Want to know how to clean your dog’s ears? Find out in this article.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Cleaning your dog’s ears is not rocket science. All you need is a tried and tested dog ear cleaning mixture and some cotton balls, and you can get these items from any pet store around you. You must be careful not to use a strong ear cleaning solution for your dog’s ears. Avoid alcohol or acidic-based solutions because these substances’ harshness can cause your dog to feel more pain. Also, avoid the use of Q-Tips. If you’re not careful enough, you can damage your dog’s ear canals and eardrums.
The best time to clean your dog’s ears will be after you have finished bathing him. This is because it will prevent his ears from getting dirty quickly again. Once you give your dog a wash, he won’t be able to pick up dirt in its ear from any other part of his body.
After you have cleaned all other parts of its body, especially the outer ear, it is now time to clean the insides. You have to be very careful when cleaning your dog’s ears as they are very delicate. Make sure you do not apply the cleaning mixture directly to your dog’s ear from the bottle, instead use a utensil such as a spoon or even a syringe.
After application, gently rub the lower part of your dog’s ear for 20 to 40 seconds. You will most likely hear some crackle noises, and this is because the debris in your dog’s ear is being broken down by the mixture. This should be a painless process for your dog, but if you notice that he is feeling pain, you need to take him to the vet immediately.
After 40 seconds, move back and let your dog shake his head. This will bring the already broken down debris to the surface. Now, all you have to do is hold up your dog’s ear and clean out the wax and debris with some cotton balls. It is worthy of note that the amount of cotton ball to be used depends on the dog’s size. A big dog will require more cotton ball, while a smaller pup would probably need half the size of the cotton ball used for a larger dog.
Once this is done, you have successfully cleaned your dog’s ears. The last thing to do is to reward him for being such a good dog. You already know your dog’s favorite, so you’ll do well to give him a few treats.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?
Cleaning a dog’s ear varies depending on the breed of dog you have. While some dogs require regular and frequent cleaning, others do not require cleaning at all. However, most vets will tell you that your dog’s ears should be cleaned at least once a month.
Conclusion
If you notice any strange fluids, or a weird smell coming from your dog’s ears, do well to clean them up to avoid infection. If you also see that his ears are inflamed, don’t try to handle the situation yourself. Seek professional help from your vet immediately.