How to Get Water Out of a Dog's Ear

If your dog has water in his ears--most likely from a swimming excursion--it's important that you get the ears dried out as soon as possible. Moisture in your dog's ears, if allowed to remain, can cause an ear infection. By cleaning your dog's ear using a solution designed for this purpose, you will remove not only moisture but also any dirt or wax that may have accumulated. Dogs that swim often should have their ears cleaned once a week. Other dogs can usually wait a month between ear cleanings.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Dog ear cleaning solution

Instructions

1. Sit on the floor and have your dog lie beside you.

2. Place your dog's head in your lap and turn it to one side so that one ear is pointing upward toward you.

3. Fill the ear about half full of the cleaning solution, or follow the directions on the bottle of the particular solution you are using.

4. Allow the cleaner to stay in the ear for about 30 seconds. Massage the base of the ear during this time.

5. Let your dog stand and shake the solution from the ear.

6. Have the dog lie down beside you again.

7. Wipe the inner ear with a cotton ball, but do not push the cotton ball into the ear.

8. Repeat the process on the other ear.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent your dog from getting water in the ears when swimming or bathing, place cotton balls in the pet's ears before the dog gets into the water. When your dog gets out of the water, remove the cotton balls and carefully towel dry his outer ears and the inside of the ears that are easily accessible. Do not push inside the ears, however, or you may damage your dog's eardrum.

• You can use a commercial ear cleaner, but you can make your own ear cleaner easily at home. A good recipe is to mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part rubbing alcohol. Put the mixture in a squirt bottle and shake.

• If your dog is a floppy-eared breed, such as a hound, turn the dog's ears inside out for about a half-hour once a week. This will allow the ears to naturally dry out if any moisture has gotten into them.

• If you see inflammation or dirty discharge, if the ears have a foul odor or if the ears are sensitive to the touch, your dog likely already has an ear infection and you should take your pet to a veterinarian. Do not try to clean the ears yourself.

• Do not use a Q-tip when cleaning your dog's ears. You could easily damage your pet's eardrum.

References

• How to Clean Dog Ears
• Cleaning Your Dog's Ears
• How to Clean a Dog's Ears