Have you ever tried to clean dog ears?
It can be a tricky challenge because as a general rule, dogs don’t like to have their ears cleaned. They squirm, the growl, they might snap at you.
On top of that, one wrong move and you can do permanent damage to the dog’s ears.
How can you be sure you’re able to clean your dog ears without hurting them?
Keep reading to find out how you can clean your dog’s ears and keep them happy and hearing well.
Why Clean Dog Ears?
Our team is often asked whether it’s necessary to clean dog ears. Our answer is “Absolutely!”
Cleaning your dog’s ears will help reduce the chances of infections and clear out the wax build-up.
How often you clean your dog’s ears will depend on a couple of factors. Some breeds will require more frequent cleaning than others.
Usually, once a month is sufficient for most dogs. If your dog likes to swim or gets their wet, you should clean them more often.
How to Perform the Cleaning
To clean dog ears, you want to make sure they have recently been groomed. A good grooming will remove hair from the ear canal, making it easier to remove excess wax.
Dog ears are very sensitive and are comprised of three main areas, so you want to be sure you’re applying the right amount of pressure.
You should only use over-the-counter solutions purchased from your vet or groomer. Solutions made with peroxide or vinegar aren’t recommended.
You can start by putting a small amount of solution on a cotton ball or drip the solution directly into the dog’s ear.
Start cleaning on the outside of the ear and work your way to the inner ear. Then work on the other ear.
The whole process should take around five minutes.
If you clean your dog’s ears often, you might notice some behavioral changes over time. You’re training them to allow you to touch them.
How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Cleaning
This part required patience because you’re essentially training your dog to handle the ear cleaning. They might be afraid of this type of handling, and will likely be timid at first.
You can give your dog a belly rub or a treat to start. Then, you can gently pet your dog and keep them calm as you start to clean their ears.
You Can Always Leave It to Professionals
We love our dogs and want to do everything we can to keep them happy and comfortable.
Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important step to reduce the chance of painful ear infections. You have to remember to be calm and gentle as you go through the process, or you can do damage to your dog’s ears.
If you don’t want to take your chances, you can leave cleaning your dog’s ears to professional. Lucky Dawg Pet Services offers mobile and salon grooming for your convenience.
Contact us today to schedule a grooming appointment for your dog!
