Things You'll Need:
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Ear Cleaning Solution
- Treats
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Step 1
First you should inspect your dog’s ears. A healthy dog ear is pale pink and has no odor. It is natural for there to be a little bit of wax or dirt in the outer portion of the ear canal and flap. If there is redness or inflammation, and accumulation of brown waxy debris, or a bad smell, then there is probably an infection and your dog needs to see a vet. Symptoms of infection also include excessive head shaking, ear itching, and crying out when the ears are touched.
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Step 2
Some dogs have excessive ear hair. If your dog has hairy ears you will want to remove the hair inside the dog’s ears by trimming or plucking to improve the air flow to the canal. If you are not comfortable doing this, a groomer or vet can do it for you.
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Step 3
Gather your supplies and apply the ear cleaning solution to the cotton balls and swabs ahead of time. This will make the process easier and go smoother. It’s not easy to get a cotton ball wet and restrain your dog at the same time!
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Step 4
Hold your dog’s ear up in a way that allows you easy access and a clear view. Take a cotton ball and clean the ear flap and the outer ear, getting rid of all the debris in the grooves and creases.
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Step 5
Use a cotton ball to wipe around the inside of the ear but don’t go any further than the inner ear canal.
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Step 6
If your dog has really dirty ears, squeeze some of the solution directly inside the ear canal for a deeper cleaning. Massage the base of the dog’s ear between your thumb and index finger until you can hear the solution make a squishing sound. Let the dog shake his head to release the wax and dirt. Clean any leftover discharge on the ear flap and inside the ear with cotton balls.
