How to Bathe a Dog with Ear Infections
Medium
15 - 30 Minutes
4 Weeks
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Introduction
If your dog has ear infections, you might be used to the constant scratching and whining or the shaking of his head. Ear infections in dogs are quite painful and cause enormous discomfort. If your dog is pawing at his ears or shaking his head quite often, he's trying to get rid of the pain and discomfort. But what do you do if your dog with an ear infection needs to have a bath? You want to avoid, of course, getting water inside your dog's ears, and you'll need to protect his ears while you're washing his head and face as well.
Dog's Perspective
Hopefully, your dog is under veterinary care for his ear infection. Until he's fully healed be aware that this area, including the space behind his ears, is going to be tender and sensitive, even around his ears. Your dog may feel a bit anxious about a bath or even being touched on his head, depending on his level of pain and discomfort.
The Bathtub Method
Effective
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Shampoo
Towel
Step
1
Prepare the tub
Fill the tub with warm water. You will only need to fill it high enough for your dog’s legs to get wet. Do not fill it high enough for your dog to put his head in the water. Have your shampoo and towels within arm's reach so you do not leave your dog unattended near the bath water.
Step
2
Prepare the dog
Place cotton balls into each of your dog's ears to protect the ears from water. If your dog has ear infections, you do not want to get his ears wet. You can clean his ears outside of the tub without water, but while he is in the tub, protect his ears from getting wet.
Step
3
Wet dog
Wet down your dog with a cup and warm water or use a handheld shower to get your dog wet and ready for washing. Do not wet down his head if your dog has ear infections. Keep the cup or handheld shower close to your dog’s body to avoid getting any water splash back in his ears.
Step
4
Wash face
Use a wet and wrung out washcloth to wipe your dog’s face. Be gentle when washing his face and head. His ears will be sensitive and tender to the touch. Be careful when handling his head, especially behind his ears.
Step
5
Wash body
Use dog shampoo to wash your dog’s body. Lather shampoo over his entire body except for his head. Be cautious cleaning his neck and shoulders, and be sure to avoid touching his ears or getting water in his ears.
Step
6
Rinse
Use warm, clean water to rinse the shampoo off your dog. Use the same cup or handheld shower for rinsing. Again, keep the water close to the skin and avoid splashing your dog’s ears. Also be cautious of touching the ears as they may hurt.
Step
7
Towel dry
Dry your dog with a towel. He may shake excess water off before you can remove him from the tub. If this is the case, place a towel over him while he shakes this water off. Be careful of his ears as he shakes. Once your pup is towel dried, remove the cotton balls from his ears.
Step
8
Wipe ears
If it is necessary to clean your dog’s infected ears, use a cleaning solution approved by your veterinarian. Your dog might be prescribed a solution, or your veterinarian might request using a small amount of apple cider vinegar and water. Wet a soft cloth or soft paper towel with a solution and wipe the inside of your dog’s ears. If a rinse is required, the solution will have a long tip bottle.
Step
9
Ear solution
Place the ear solution long tip bottle into the ear canal and squeeze solution in the ear. Lift and gently pull on the ear to open the canal. If your dog will allow, massage the solution into the ear. If this is painful, follow your veterinarian’s recommendations or let it settle on its own. Let your dog shake the solution out as he sees fit. This will loosen any debris and help clear infection.
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The Dry Bath Method
Effective
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Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Towel
Step
1
Set up
Set up a fluffy blanket and all the supplies you will need to give your dog a dry bath.
Step
2
Brush out
Brush out your dog avoid his ears as they may be tender to touch with ear infections.
Step
3
Dry shampoo
Use a dry shampoo or a foam shampoo the bathe your dog. Avoid rubbing his head or ears. The area behind his ears might be sensitive as well, so avoid this area.
Step
4
Face and head
If your dog’s face and head need to be washed, use a wet cloth to wipe down dirty areas. Avoid massaging the ears or touching the ears if possible. The longer outer ear can be gently cleaned if your dog will tolerate a soft touch without tugging.
Step
5
Clean ears
If your dog has ear infections, you should have ear solution approved or recommended by your veterinarian. Squeeze a small bit of solution into your dog’s ear and let it settle into the ear canal. If your dog allows a gentle touch, you can massage the solution down a bit.
Step
6
Ear shake
Your dog will likely shake his head as soon as he feels the ear solution settling. Try to let it set for a few minutes if possible. Take your dog to a place such as outside where he can shake freely. The ear solution will help to loosen debris from his ear, and the shaking will help remove this debris.
Step
7
Treat
Your pup has an ear infection. His ears are tender and sore. Give him a treat once he is done bathing and has clean ears on their way to healing.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, call your vet right away for diagnosis and treatment.
- There are many types of ear aches your dog may suffer from and many reasons for an ear infection.
- If your dog has constant ear infections consider allergies, whether allergens in his environment, such as pollen or grasses, or food allergies.
- Yeast buildup in your dog's ear can cause ear infection and discomfort. Try to keep your dog's ears dry before, after, and during bath time to avoid yeast buildup in the ear canal.
- Wipe your dog's ear out daily with apple cider vinegar and water on a soft cloth or paper towel to prevent yeast buildup.
- Anytime you give your dog a bath, put cotton balls just inside the ears to keep water from getting into the ear canal.
- Some dog breeds tend to be more susceptible to ear infections than other dog breeds. Know your dog well and keep his ears dry every day to avoid yeast or bacteria build-up.
- Pay attention to your dog’s behaviors and note sure signs of potential ear infections. Your dog may shake his head often or paw at or scratch his ears if they are bothering him.
Conclusion
Your dog might look like he’s dancing, but with ear infections, a head shake is common. Bathing your best friend while he has ear infections cann be tricky, but with care and avoidance of the ears while bathing, he can get clean, smell good, and have healthier ears at the same time.Â
