What can I clean the inside of my dogs ears with?

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What Supplies Can I Use to Clean My Dog's Ears?
Tips and Tricks to Make it Easier
How often should you clean your dog's ears?
How can you tell if your dog has an ear infection?
What can you use to clean your dog's ears at home?
How to Clean Dog Ears at Home in 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Apply ear-cleaning solution.
Step 2: Gently massage your dog's ear.
Step 3: Dry the ear.

Steps for Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears
Things to Watch Out For

Just like humans, dogs need grooming to stay happy and healthy. While some canine health routines, like nail trimming and teeth cleaning, are often left to professionals, you can clean dog ears at home.

Before you begin, check with your veterinarian to see how often you should clean your dog’s ears. Your pet’s age, breed, coat, and activity level can determine the frequency. In general, veterinarians recommend cleaning dog ears at least once a month. If your dog likes to swim, you should perform this task more frequently.

Here are some steps to follow and tips for cleaning your dog's ears.

Gather your tools. If your dog doesn't like being held or groomed, this could get messy. Be prepared with towels and the right clothing, and have cotton balls or gauze pads and ear wash solution ready. You may also need tweezers if your dog has very hairy insides of the ear flap.

Never use cotton swabs to clean your dog's ears. They can cause serious trauma to your dog’s ear canal and make any wax or dirt even harder to remove.

Start with grooming. Dogs with very hairy ears should get a haircut before the cleaning. Remove matted hair and clean the hair around the ear canal and ear flap. If the ear canal is also hairy, you can pluck a few hairs at a time to provide more airflow.

Restrain your dog. If your dog is small enough, put them on a table and wrap your arm around them. Otherwise, have your dog lie down and get on your knees, leaning over the dog to prevent them from trying to get up. You may need to use a gentle forearm near the jaw and grasp the upper elbow of the bottom front leg to restrain effectively.

Apply ear wash solution: Using your dog’s ear flap as a funnel, fill up the inner ear with an ear wash solution. Make sure you do not insert the tip of the bottle directly into the ear. Use enough ear wash so that the liquid starts to flow out.

Massage the ears. Hold the ear flap and massage the ear base for around 20 to 30 seconds. This is how the ear wash breaks up wax and other debris inside your dog’s ear.

Wipe away debris. After you’ve massaged your dog’s ears, use a cotton ball or gauze pad to remove any debris from the inside of the flap and the upper canal of the ear.

Let your dog shake. Your dog will definitely want to shake their head during this process, and now’s the time to let them. This helps get the leftover ear wash and any additional debris out of the inner canal. Grab hold of the ear flap and clean it again using a cotton ball or gauze pad. Never penetrate your dog’s ear farther than your finger can reach.

Give your dog a treat. You’re halfway there! Reward your pet with a treat and repeat the process on the other side. Offer another treat when you’re finished.

You should examine your dog's ears often to help spot or avoid infections. Excessive ear discharge or ears that seem painful to the touch are not normal. If this is the case, consult with a veterinarian to rule out infections, ear mites, or other concerns that may require medication.

Any breed of dog can develop an infection or get a burr or seed stuck in the ear canal. Dogs with allergies or those who swim often have a higher risk of developing an infection inside the ear. By regularly examining your dog’s ears, you can help avoid more painful problems for your pet.

SOURCES:

Banfield Pet Hospital: “Dog Ear Infections: Do I need to wash my dog’s ears?”

MSPCA–Angell: “How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears.”

Washington State University: “Examining and Medicating the Ears of a Dog.”

Ear cleaning is an aspect of dog grooming that shouldn't be neglected. Every dog is different when it comes to how often this is needed. Dogs that are prone to ear infections may benefit from more frequent ear cleaning, while others rarely require it. If your dog regularly visits a professional groomer, it's likely that his ears are getting cleaned there, although it's a good idea to check with your groomer to verify. With this in mind, it's a good idea for any pet owner to know how to clean dog ears.

What Supplies Can I Use to Clean My Dog's Ears?

Properly cleaning your pup's ears begins with gathering the right supplies. Here's what you need:

Ear cleanser: Look for a veterinarian-recommended commercial cleaning solution. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate your dog's sensitive ears, cautions The Spruce Pets. If you're not sure whether something is okay to use on your dog, simply ask your vet or dog groomer, "What can I clean my dog's ears with?"
Cotton balls or pads: Cotton swabs may also be used to clean the ridges of the outer ear, but should never be inserted in the ear canal. By doing so you could cause permanent hearing damage.
Tweezers: These are good to have on hand if your dog has a lot of hair in his ears.
A towel: This is recommended for containing potential messes, especially if your dog is prone to shaking his head when something gets in his ears.
Treats You'll want to reward your pup when it's all done.

Before you begin, take a moment to inspect your dog's ears. If they appear red or inflamed, they smell bad, or your dog shows signs that they itch, stop what you're doing and contact your vet. Your dog may have an infection or an infestation of ear mites, either of which will need to be treated. If your dog has a lot of hair, use tweezers to clear hair out of the ear canal. Once the ears are clear and everything appears normal, read the directions on the ear cleanser. You can also follow this step-by-step process to clean your pooch's ears:

After getting your pup to sit, reward him with a treat and allow him to inspect the bottle of ear cleaner.
If his ears aren't already erect, hold the ear flap upright and carefully fill the ear canal with cleaning solution.
Keeping the ear flap out of the way, gently massage the base of the ear with your fingers for about twenty seconds.
Release the ear and allow your dog to shake his head if he desires. Hold a towel over his head to prevent solution from flying everywhere.
Use a cotton ball or a cotton pad wrapped around your index finger to gently wipe the visible part of your dog's ear canal and outer ear. Use a cotton swab only if necessary and only on the visible portion of your dog's ear.
Reward your pup with another treat and then repeat these steps for the other ear.

Tips and Tricks to Make it Easier

While the steps involved in how to clean dog ears may be pretty straightforward, here are a few tips that will help it go easier for both you and your pooch.

Unless you want water everywhere, make sure your dog is in a confined area. Place your dog in a tub or bring him outside. Make sure you're wearing old clothing that won't get ruined if cleaning solution gets on it.

Additionally, don't skimp on the cleaning solution. There's a lot more to your dog's ear canal than what you can see. Filling the entire canal with solution will help ensure the entire ear gets cleaned. Any excess cleaner that doesn't get wiped out will be expelled by your dog shaking his head. If the ears still appear dirty when you're done, go ahead and repeat the process, and stop immediately if you notice redness or bleeding, or if your dog show signs of discomfort.

Some dogs, especially those with short ears and not a lot of hair, may only need to have their ears wiped out occasionally when they begin to look dirty. Dogs with floppy ears and those with a lot of hair around the ears should have a more thorough inspection and cleaning at least every other week.

Knowing how to clean dog ears is a fundamental part of grooming your pet. Making sure this is done on a regular basis will help protect his hearing and ensure that your pup's ears stay healthy throughout his life.

Again — if you need more advice and encouragement, please visit your vet. If you don't have a current, no problem, you can easily find one using our trusty find-a-vet tool.

Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

Proper grooming is one of the keys to giving your furry friend a happy, healthy life, and that includes knowing how to clean dog ears at home. After all, not many of us have a groomer on call! Luckily, the process is easy: In many cases you can clean your dog's ears with a few simple supplies and quick steps. (The hardest part might just be getting your pup to sit still—but that's what dog treats are for, right?)

How do you know if your dog's ears need to be cleaned in the first place? The easiest way to tell is by checking them regularly for changes. Clean, healthy dog ears are pink, odorless, debris-free, and not inflamed, according to the American Kennel Club. If you get a whiff of a mild odor, spot some discharge, or notice that your pup is shaking his or her head more than usual, a cleaning is likely in order.

Knowing how to clean dog ears is particularly important if you love basset hounds as much as Ree Drummond does: Four of the six Drummond dogs are bassets, and while those long, floppy ears are adorable, they're also more susceptible to mites and ear infections! Whichever dog breed has your heart, keep reading to find out how to keep your pup's ears clean and healthy.

How often should you clean your dog's ears?

The Pioneer Woman

How often you should clean your dog's ears will depend on a bunch of factors, including breed, activities, and health conditions like allergies. Long-eared dogs (like Ree's basset hound Walter) are more susceptible to ear infections than other breeds, so they typically require more frequent cleanings. The same is true of avid swimmers—and active ranch dogs that have trouble staying out of the mud! On the other hand, some dogs hardly ever need their ears cleaned. In fact, over-cleaning can cause irritation and even infection, so if you aren't sure if your dog's ears need to be cleaned, check with your vet.

How can you tell if your dog has an ear infection?

Removing mild dirt and wax buildup is something that most dog owners can handle at home, but if you notice signs of an infection you'll want to go to the vet for proper treatment. Look out for redness, inflammation, a yeasty smell, and signs of pain when you pet or massage your dog around the ears.

What can you use to clean your dog's ears at home?

You can clean your dog's ears at home with just a few simple supplies: a dog ear-cleaning solution recommended by your vet, cotton balls or rounds (not swabs like Q-tips, which can damage the ear canal), and treats to make the process more appealing—and to reward your pup when it's over!

You may be tempted to create a DIY ear-cleaning solution with products you already have on hand, but sticking to veterinarian-approved ear cleaners is always your best bet. Your vet can help you determine the exact dog ear cleanser you should use based on your dog's needs: Some solutions are better for breaking down wax, while others combat the growth of bacteria or fungi. Experts specifically advise against cleaning your dog's ears with hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and vinegar, which can irritate the sensitive tissue inside your pup's ears.

How to Clean Dog Ears at Home in 3 Easy Steps

Experts like VCA Hospitals, Tuder Veterinary Group, and the American Kennel Club all recommend a similar process.

Step 1: Apply ear-cleaning solution.

Gently lift your dog's ear flap and squeeze enough of the cleaner to fill the canal. (If your dog won't let you do this, you can also soak a cotton ball or gauze in the cleaner and apply it that way, taking care not to go deeper than the length of your knuckle.) To prevent spreading any bacteria or yeast, don't let the tip of the bottle touch your dog's ear.

Step 2: Gently massage your dog's ear.

Massage the base of your dog's ear for about 30 seconds to distribute the cleanser throughout the canal. You may hear a squishing sound as the cleanser breaks up wax and debris.

Step 3: Dry the ear.

Your dog will probably shake his head at this point—which is ok! When they're finished use a dry cotton round to wipe away any loosened debris from the ear flap and upper canal.

It's as simple as that. Repeat the process on the other ear if needed, and be sure to give your pup some love after you're done!

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