How to Bathe a Dog Without Getting Water in Their Ears

Your pup, who is normally an avid water dog and loves swimming at the lake, avoids you like the plague when they sense it's bath time. Why? Maybe they don't like getting water in their ears. When using a handheld shower or pouring water over your dog’s head, it's easy to accidentally get water in their ear canal, and most dogs do not like the sensation. Who would?  

But there is an even bigger problem than your dog not liking the feeling of water in their ears. If moisture and water remain in the ear after bath time it can change the pH balance in your dog’s ear and cause bacteria and yeast to multiply, resulting in a nasty ear infection. Ear infections are uncomfortable, unpleasant, and can be difficult to get rid of. It's far better to avoid them in the first place by not getting water in your dog’s ears during bath time.

Ever had water sprayed in your ear? Not nice! Your dog won't like it either; it feels icky and if water remains in the ear they are prone to getting a painful ear infection. But they may not love the precautions you take to keep water out of their ears either. 

Whatever method you use to protect your dog's ears, introduce it slowly to your dog, for short periods of time at first, before using them during bath time so there isn't a struggle when you are in a slippery bathtub.

If you're not confident about bathing your pup, consider booking a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you instead.

• Get your dog used to ear protection before bath time as they can be stressed by cones, caps, or cotton in the ears.
  
• Don't insert anything far down into the ear canal where delicate ear structures could be damaged. Cotton should be in the entrance to the ear canals only.
  
• Check the ears for water after a bath. Dry with a cloth and use witch hazel on a cotton ball, cloth, or piece of gauze wrapped around your finger, or ear cleaning solutions with drying agents to wipe the ears out. Remember not to insert your finger or cleaning materials into the back of the ear canal.
  
• Watch your dog for signs of an ear infection and address it as soon as possible with appropriate medication.
  

Your dog isn't going to like getting water in their ears during bath time, even if they are a water-loving dog. Dogs with floppy ears and certain breeds are especially predisposed to ear infections if moisture gets in the ears, and you'll want to avoid this to prevent bacterial or fungal infections, which can be painful and difficult to treat. 

Protecting the ears with cotton inserted into the ear prior to bath time or a mechanical barrier over the ears, and directing water away from the head and ears will prevent excess water from going into the ear canals and creating an unpleasant sensation and possible health problems. Remember, your dog's ears contain fragile hearing structures; use caution when working around and in the ear canal so as not to cause damage.

If you'd rather leave it to an expert, book a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you.