How to Clean a Puppy's Ears

Although most animals can clean themselves to a certain extent, occasionally puppies need a little help from their owners. A puppy's ears are prone to infection if not tended to properly. You want to make sure you know how to clean a puppy's ears correctly to avoid hurting the puppy and making the process more stressful than necessary.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cotton balls
• Ear cleaning solution
• Toy

1. Begin cleaning the puppy's ears at a young age. If ear cleaning is a matter-of-fact, normal occurrence, the puppy is likely to react more favorably. Ear cleaning should take place approximately once a week.
2. Gather the necessary ear cleaning supplies. These include cotton balls, an ear-cleaning solution (available at a pet care store) or warm water and a toy with which to distract the dog.
3. Give the puppy his distraction toy. Soak a cotton ball with the ear cleaning solution. Gently pick up one of the puppy's ears and wipe the outside and top parts of the ear. Very carefully wipe the inside part of the ear; be certain to not go too far into the puppy's ear canal.
4. Repeat this process for the puppy's other ear. If your dog's ears are especially dirty, you may need to perform two repetitions. Use new cotton balls for each ear and round of cleaning. Exceptionally dirty ears, smelly cotton balls or strange colors on the cotton balls may be a sign of illness and should precipitate a visit to the veterinarian.
5. Consult a professional groomer if your puppy's ear care routine involves trimming the ear hair. With some dogs, such as schnauzers, the ear hair can grow very quickly, necessitating frequent trimming.
6. Praise the puppy after you clean his ears; give him lots of love and affection. Your puppy might behave better during future ear-cleaning sessions if he knows he may get a treat or special attention afterward.