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Ear cleaning is an essential part of your dog’s basic care routine.
All dogs should have their ears cleaned from time to time, but some dogs require more frequent and thorough cleanings than others.
This is especially true for dogs prone to ear infections.
Fortunately, it’s easy to clean your dog’s ears at home. You just need to ensure that you do it correctly to avoid causing any damage.
The Anatomy of a Dog's Ear
It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with your dog’s anatomy for hygiene care like this.
This can help you prevent any damage and better understand what you’re observing during cleaning. A dog’s ear is a fairly complex structure:
The Visible Part of the Ear
The visible part of the ear, on the outside, is called the auricular pinna. This pinna may be floppy in some dogs, while in others, it stands erect.
Droopy ears may allow less air circulation in the ear canal, making some dogs with floppy ears more prone to ear infections.
Interior of the Ear
Just inside the visible opening of the ear is the external ear canal. This canal runs along the side of the head (vertical canal) and then makes a bend inward (horizontal canal).
The canal is lined with skin and contains cartilage that creates folds and creases on the surface. The external ear canal also contains glands that secrete wax and oils (sebum) into the ear.
External Canal & Eardrum
The external canal ends at the eardrum (tympanic membrane). This is a thin layer of tissue that vibrates in response to sound waves and aids in hearing.
The eardrum also protects the middle and inner ear.
Middle & Inner Ear
Beyond the eardrum is the middle ear followed by the inner ear. These areas contain the delicate structures associated with hearing and balance.
Damage to the inner or middle ear can cause significant hearing and balance issues for a dog. In some cases, the damage may be permanent.
Preparation for Cleaning
The best place to clean your dog’s ears is in the bathtub or outdoors. This is a great thing to do right before bathing.
Keep in mind that when the dog shakes its head, ear debris and cleaning solution have to go somewhere, and that includes your walls and you, so be cautious.
You may want to wrap a towel around your dog or place one underneath to keep it clean and dry. You may also want a towel to keep yourself dry.
Before cleaning the ears, inspect them. This gives you an idea of how dirty they are and allows you to check for excess hair.
If your dog has a lot of hair coming out of the ear canal, you may need to pluck it. You can do this with your fingers, tweezers, or hemostats.
Special ear powder for dogs can be helpful to grip the hair. Talk to your groomer or veterinary office about how to pluck ear hair without hurting your dog.
What You'll Need
When looking for products to clean your dog’s ears, avoid products containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can cause irritation.
Veterinarian-recommended ear cleaning solution, such as Virbac’s Epi-Otic
Cotton balls, cotton pads, or gauze squares
Tweezers or hemostats (for dogs with excess hair in the ear canals)
One or two towels
Add the Ear Cleaner
Start by holding the ear flap up and squeezing a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear flap, near the ear opening. Then gently place the tip of the bottle into the ear and squeeze gently.
Massage the Ear
Before the dog can shake its head, begin massaging the base of the ear (this is the bottom, near the jaw, where you can feel the cartilage). You should be able to hear a squishing sound.
By massaging, you’re helping the cleaning solution fill the crests of the canal and loosen ear debris.
After massaging for a few seconds (longer for very dirty ears), you can release and allow your dog to shake its head.
You may want to turn away or hold a towel for this part.
Clean the Ear Canal
After your dog shakes its head, lightly moisten a cotton ball or gauze with the ear cleaner. Use the cotton or gauze with your finger to clean the ear canal.
You can insert your finger into the ear canal as far as you can without forcing it.
If the ear still looks dirty, repeat the process. Stop if your dog’s ear starts to turn red, bleed, or if your dog seems to be in pain.
Move on to the other ear and repeat all the steps. Finish by wiping away any visible debris and drying your dog’s head.
Be sure to offer some treats and plenty of praise.
Problems and Behavior Training
While cleaning, never insert a cotton applicator into your dog’s ear, as it can cause damage to the eardrum.
The tip of the bottle you use for cleaning should also not go deeper into the dog’s ear than you can see. And do not apply excessive pressure when squeezing the cleaning solution into the ear.
Regular cleaning can help prevent ear infections. By using an appropriate ear cleaner, you can remove wax and debris from the canal and help dry out the ear.
Dogs may accumulate wax and debris more quickly than people. Some dogs have very few ear residues and only need occasional ear cleanings. Other dogs need full ear cleanings every week or every other week.
Regularly inspect your dog’s ears and talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s needs. Over-cleaning can cause irritation, but under-cleaning can allow for excessive buildup.
Cleaning Your Dog's Ears
Frequently Asked Questions
Squeeze a dog ear cleaning solution – easily acquired from an online pet products store or your veterinarian’s office – directly into your dog’s ear canal and massage the area for less than a minute.
Try to keep your dog still. Then, your dog will likely want to shake its head to get rid of the solution, so have a towel handy to catch the liquid. (This can be a great outdoor activity!)
Use cotton swabs or pads to gently clean the residue, without going deeper than half a centimeter into your dog’s ear canal.
Once a month, unless they appear dirtier than usual. (And if that’s the case, it might be best to consult your veterinarian)
Yes! A 50/50 solution of vinegar and water works just as well as store-bought solutions.
If you suspect your pet is ill, immediately call your veterinarian. For health-related inquiries, always consult your veterinarian as they have examined your pet, know the pet’s health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.