For dogs, it's essential to adopt certain habits for good hygiene. This is necessary for both the well-being and the health of these pets. Regular bathing and cleaning certain sensitive areas are key. Cleaning your dog's eyes and ears is a preventative measure that shouldn't be taken lightly. This action is intended to prevent infections in the hearing system, which can be a real problem for the dog.
Impurities can accumulate in a dog's ears every day. This then promotes the growth of bacteria, which can lead to sometimes serious problems. Cleaning your dog's ears requires knowing exactly how to do it. Given the unique shape of a dog's ear canal, the process can seem complex. Choosing the right cleaning product is also important to maintain your pet's health. Here's how to clean a dog's ears.
Why should you clean a dog's ears?
Cleaning a dog's ears is a matter of hygiene, but above all, of prevention. It's an action that protects dogs and cats from various discomforts and ailments. Owners who neglect this are making a serious mistake and endangering their dogs' health. They may ultimately be forced to visit a veterinarian for treatment of a more serious condition. It is advisable to clean a dog's ears from a young age to get them used to it.
Dog ears have an L-shaped ear canal that can contain a lot of foreign matter, sometimes harmful. The ear canal secretes a substance called cerumen or earwax. When left uncleaned, it leads to the formation of earwax plugs.
Hygiene and comfort
When your dog's ear is dirty, it poses a real hygiene problem. Washing your dog's ears is, as you may have understood, a matter of hygiene. It's important to keep your dog clean, especially since he lives with you. Have you just washed your companion with a dog washing ring ? It's important to know that it's not just the body that matters; washing your dog's ears is also very necessary. A lot of dirt settles and accumulates every day. The less you clean, the more it becomes, and it can give the impression that you're not taking care of your dog.
Furthermore, cleaning a dog's ear isn't just for hygiene. Cleaning also helps ensure your dog's daily comfort. A dog's ear can produce excess earwax, which in turn can lead to other consequences. Earwax buildup deep in the ear can cause itching and discomfort. To avoid this, you need to know how to clean a dog's ears and do it with the right frequency. You should get into the habit of wiping them to remove earwax.
Ear infections, atopic dermatitis and other diseases
Dirty dog ears can become a real health problem and cause your pet pain. Various ailments can result, most of which are very painful for dogs. These include otitis, atopic dermatitis, and other diseases. Otitis is one of the most common ear infections that can cause problems for your pet when the ear isn't properly cleaned. It's a painful inflammation that occurs in the ear canal. Read our article on the symptoms of otitis in dogs and how to treat it to learn more.
Very often, it is located in the outer ear, but can go further to reach the inner ear. In the latter case, the consequences can be serious and specific treatment is required to control it. The main cause of otitis is the accumulation of earwax, which represents the natural cleaning process of the dog's ear. Parasites or foreign bodies can be the cause of this accumulation, which leads to inflammation. This can, under certain conditions, become a superinfection linked to the presence of various bacteria or fungi.
When you choose not to clean your dog's dirty ears, you expose him to otitis. On the other hand, by cleaning your dog's ear often enough, you can remove anything that could block the ear canal and lead to inflammation. You will therefore understand that cleaning has a preventative role, but is also useful in case one has already had time to set in. It occurs before the application of products such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. It is still necessary to know how and with what to clean a dog's ears .
There is also a breed of dog predisposed to ear infections, and cleaning them more often is necessary. This includes dogs with floppy ears. Mange is also one of the common ear diseases that dogs can have. Washing a dog's ears can also prevent ear mites and atopic dermatitis. The latter is one of the common causes of ear infections observed in dogs. All other ear-related diseases in dogs can be effectively avoided when regular cleaning is done, especially with the right techniques.
How often should you clean dogs' ears?
While it's good to clean your dog's ears, it's even more important to know how often to do it. While regular cleaning is recommended, it shouldn't be done every day. On the contrary, doing so can weaken your dog. Depending on certain conditions, such as your dog's breed, you can clean their ears more or less frequently. There's no real rule, but you should simply remember that cleaning every two weeks is sufficient. This is the appropriate frequency for dogs that don't have ear problems.
For a dog whose ears produce a lot of earwax, you'll need to clean them more often. The same applies if your dog has floppy ears or an ear infection. If your dog swims frequently or plays outdoors a lot, you'll need to take extra care of their ears. After swimming, dry your dog with an absorbent towel and clean the ear canal and nasal passages to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating. If you're unsure how often to clean your ears, it's best to seek advice from a veterinarian. They can conduct a thorough analysis and recommend the best formula.
How do I clean my dog's ears?
Very few people actually know how to clean a dog's ears. You need to know the correct method for removing earplugs, so your dog can have clean ears. There are many details to consider when learning how to clean a dog's ears.
You need to know how to clean a dog's ears, and especially how to safely remove the blockage. Removing earwax or any other secretion from your pet's ear isn't particularly complicated.
What to use to clean a dog's ears?
What product should I use to clean my dog's ears? This question is quite common and makes sense. The answer helps avoid certain mistakes that can be harmful to your pet. A dog ear cleaner should be specific and designed specifically for this purpose. A dog ear lotion is recommended for proper cleaning. It first dissolves the earwax and then makes it relatively easy to remove.
By cleaning your dog's ear with an ear cleaner, you can be sure not to endanger their health. You can also be sure not to damage their ear. A bottle of ear lotion is available from veterinarians or pharmacies. When applying the product to your dog's ears, it is strongly recommended not to use a cotton swab.
Instead, a piece of cotton would work well and is sufficient to introduce the product to clean dog ears . Removing the blockage will be easy with the right cleaners.
How to clean the dog's ear well
Now that you know how to clean a dog's ears, it's time to learn more about the steps. How do I clean my dog's ears ? If you're asking yourself this question, all the answers are here. The first step is to clear the cavities by gently pulling the dog's ear. When doing this, be careful not to hurt the animal. Then, place a drop of ear lotion into the ear canal.
Gently press the base of the ear before massaging slowly so that the lotion penetrates and dissolves impurities. Now insert a small amount of cotton into the entrance of the ear canal before massaging again and letting it act. The goal is to extract the lotion and any dirt it may have collected. For optimal results, massage gently from the bottom up. Finally, remove the cotton, then use another cotton ball, a clean tissue, or a cotton swab to clean the outer part of the ear.
As mentioned above, you should not use cotton swabs to clean your dog's ears. Be careful not to hurt your dog by rubbing too hard. Repeat the same process on the right ear if you started with the left, for example. You should clean from the inside to the tips of the ears. This will do your pet's ear a lot of good. There's no point in applying excessive lotion in the hope of a more thorough cleaning.
Now you know how to clean your dog's ear in the simplest way possible. To clean a puppy's ears, you'll need to follow the same procedure, but be more careful. Take it slowly, step by step, and be careful not to hurt your little pooch.
Getting my nervous dog used to ear cleaning
Just like with baths, some dogs tend to resist ear cleaning. Ear care is important for removing dust, repelling germs that can cause recurring ear infections, and more. You'll often hear owners say, "My dog won't let you clean his ears." Therefore, it's important to teach your dog to remain calm during these times.
In reality, you need to train your dog to accept cleaning from a very young age. To be effective, you need to gradually get him to accept having his ears touched. Playtime is a great time to do this without your little dog really resisting. If he resists, don't insist too much and try again. If the dog remains calm while you handle his ears, reward him with cuddles or a treat ball . He will be less aggressive and will accept it easily. Don't hesitate to use a wet cotton ball to introduce him to the sensation of the cleaning product.
If you notice that he's comfortable with the previous steps, you can go further. Add a few drops of cleaner and then gently massage the ear to get him used to this action. Whether it's a dog or a puppy, it's always important to praise him when he remains calm. This way, he'll remember the cleaning as a pleasant experience. This will make it much easier to do it next time.
Products to Avoid When Washing a Dog's Ears
There are many products for cleaning dog ears, but not all of them are good. Some should be avoided in particular for cleaning a dog's ears. You should not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Cleaning a dog's ear with Betadine is also not recommended. All of these products can cause irritation and disturb the dog's comfort.
Tap water is also not recommended, and soap is even less so. Likewise, oil extracts should be avoided, regardless of their form. The oil's greasy texture is particularly conducive to the growth of bacteria. It doesn't really help dissolve earwax and is therefore useless. When cleaning a dog's dirty ear, you should remember that human products are not recommended.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about cleaning your dog
Should you pluck a dog's ears?
When a dog's ears are full of hair, oxygen and air can no longer circulate properly. This can lead to increased earwax production, which can lead to infections. If your dog's ears become overgrown with hair, removing them with grooming scissors is both possible and recommended.
Should all dogs' ears be cleaned?
Regardless of the dog's breed, ears need to be cleaned fairly frequently. It's true that the risk of ear-related diseases is higher for certain breeds. This is the case for dogs with floppy ears and those with hairy ears. Cleaning should be more regular for these types of dogs.
How do I know if my dog has an ear problem?
Dog ear problems are among the leading reasons for veterinary visits. Therefore, it's important to learn how to easily detect such problems before they become serious. During the cleaning, you can check your pet for any symptoms that could indicate a problem.
When a dog's ear smells, is red, swollen, and appears painful, there may be a problem. If your dog only shakes its head or tilts it frequently, something is wrong.
My dog's ear stinks, should I contact the vet?
Smelly dog ears are a clear sign that something is wrong. To prevent the situation from getting worse, try to identify the problem. If you can't determine the source, visit your veterinarian, who will be able to take appropriate action.
Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.
