How to Clean a Dog's Red Ear
Medium
2 - 5 Minutes
2 Weeks
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Redness and itchiness of the ear are a common concern for dogs. This is especially true for breeds with floppy ears (Golden retrievers, Beagles, Basset hounds, etc.), versus those with ears that stand upright (Corgis, French bulldogs, Australian shepherds).Â
When a dog gets wet after a swim or walk in the rain or is active in humid weather, those drooping ears can become breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast, which can in turn cause ear irritation in the form of red, itchy and even swollen ears.Â
If not kept clean and dry, a dog's ears can quickly become infected with otitis externa (a swelling of the external ear canal) or otitis interna (a swelling of the inner ear), which can only be resolved with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.
Luckily, regular grooming and maintenance of your dog's ears are relatively simple, and being diligent in keeping them clean and dry can help you to prevent this kind of vet's visit. The simplest way to avoid infection is to thoroughly gently dry the inside and outside of your dog's ears with a cloth or towel when they become wet, but regular cleaning is also helpful, especially when you first notice symptoms such as redness.
Dog's Perspective
Unfortunately, you can't explain to Fido why cleaning his ears is to his benefit, so this kind of grooming might be upsetting to him. Many dogs are sensitive about having their ears touched, especially if they have had infections or have had to receive ear drop medications in the past.
Dogs who have had their ears gently touched and held from the time they were puppies, or dogs who have learned that ear cleaning is associated with positive reinforcement such as treats or praise, will be more open to this kind of grooming. If your dog can't keep still during an ear cleaning session, consider recruiting a partner to help hold his head steady.
The Cotton Ball Method
Effective
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Step
1
Gather your materials
Before calling your dog over, gather your supplies. You will need: cotton balls, an ear cleaning solution specifically designed for dogs (either from your veterinarian or a pet store), and treats.
Step
2
Consider a partner
If your dog is not 100% comfortable with having his ears held and cleaned, you might consider asking a partner to help hold his ears, or gently place their hands on his shoulders or the sides of his face to keep him in place.
Step
3
Soak the cotton balls
Soak a few cotton balls in the dog-specific ear cleaning solution.
Step
4
Clean the vertical canal
In order to safely access your dog's vertical ear canal (upper part of the inner ear), grasp the pinna (outer ear) and pull gently upward - this stretches the vertical canal so that the ear cleaning solution can trickle all the way down into the inner ear. Place a soaked cotton ball in your dog's ear, lower the pinna, and rub the outer part of the ear to squeeze the cleaning solution down into your dog's ear.
Step
5
Clean the outer ear
As you remove the cotton ball from your dog's ear canal, use it to pick up and remove any debris dislodged from the inner ear. Repeat until no more debris is evident, and use the remaining cotton balls soaked in cleaning solution to scrub any debris evident on the inside of the outer ear.
Step
6
Offer your dog a treat
When your dog's ears have been cleaned, offer him a treat so he continues to associate ear cleanings with positive feelings. If he has red or itchy ears, the ear cleaning solution and act of cleaning out the ears will likely also feel soothing to him.
The Cotton Swab Method
Effective
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Step
1
Prepare your materials
Before calling your dog over, gather your supplies. You will need Q-tips, an ear cleaning solution specifically designed for dogs (either from your veterinarian or a pet store), gauze squares or cotton balls, and treats.
Step
2
Use a helper if you need one
If your dog is not comfortable with having his ears held and cleaned, or if he is difficult to keep still, you might consider asking a partner to help hold his ears, or gently place their hands on his shoulders or the sides of his face to keep him in place. This is especially important when using swabs in the vertical canal - if your dog moves suddenly you could accidentally push too deep.
Step
3
Soak the swabs
Soak the cotton end of the Q-tips with the dog-friendly ear cleaner.
Step
4
CAREFULLY clean the vertical canal
In order to safely access your dog's vertical ear canal (the upper part of the inner ear), grasp the pinna (the outer ear) and pull gently upward - this stretches the vertical canal. Use a soaked Q-tip to GENTLY clean the vertical canal - insert the q-tip straight down into the canal, but be careful not to push too deeply, so as not to irritate or damage the ear drum. Gently twirl the q-tip and lift out any debris that is dislodged. Repeat until no more debris is present.
Step
5
Scrub the outer ear clean
Soak the gauze squares or cotton balls in ear cleaning solution and use them to scrub and remove any debris evident on the inside of the outer ear.
Step
6
Give your dog a reward
When you're done, give your dog a treat and lots of praise so that he associates ear cleaning with good behavior and rewards
Caution & Considerations
There are a few things to be mindful of when cleaning your dog's ears:
- Firstly, do NOT use anything except an ear cleaner specifically made for use on dogs, or another solution recommended by a veterinary professional.
- If your dog's ear redness, swelling or itchiness persists, or if they exhibit signs of pain, discharge or ear odor, you should bring your dog to the vet to rule out infection, or allergy - regular cleaning will not resolve those problems.
- As with human ears, it is of the utmost importance to not push too deeply into the ear or clean too roughly, lest you cause damage to the eardrum. Stop if you feel any resistance or if your dog reacts painfully.
- Do not over-clean your dog's ears, as this can cause more irritation and skin sensitivity. Depending on the level of debris present in your dog's ears, cleanings once every two to four weeks should be sufficient.
Conclusion
Keep your dog's ears clean and dry by always drying them after they get wet and by giving them a thorough but gentle cleaning every two to four weeks. This is the best way to help prevent the build-up of bacteria and yeast that can cause redness, irritation, and infection, and to keep your pup's ears squeaky clean. Though he might not initially be a fan of this routine, repetition and positive reinforcement will show your bestie that this simple, quick grooming ritual is nothing to fear, and will keep even the droopiest of ears clean and healthy.
