Some dogs are genetically disposed to accumulate more debris in their ears, so it is a good idea to examine your Chihuahua’s ears weekly. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in damp, humid weather, may also require frequent ear cleaning. Moisture in the ear canals can lead to a condition similar to swimmer’s ear. Be careful not to get wage in your Chihuahua’s ears during bathing.

Some dogs will tolerate having cotton balls placed in their ears during a bath, where others will shake them out immediately. Dry his ears thoroughly after a bath and flush them with cleaning solution to create an acidic pH environment, which discourages infection. If his ears are clean, dry, pale pink, and odorless, they won’t need further attention.

If you notice any odor, irritation, or dark-colored debris his ears should be cleaned with specially formulated ear-cleaning solution. Warm the cleaning solution to body temperature. Never flush them with any mixture of peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Aim the nozzle of the bottle into the ear canal, fill it with cleaning solution, fold the ear over the opening, and massage for several seconds. Use cotton balls to gently wipe all debris from the ear. Repeat if necessary.

If your Chihuahua’s ears are painful, itchy, or malodorous, have them checked by your veterinarian. Minor ear problems are often intensified by constant scratching and head shaking. Yeast and bacterial infections, the most common problems, are easily treated.

Painful ear problems can also result from systemic disorders like allergies or hypothyroidism. Foxtails or grass seeds can cause serious infections if they become lodged deep in the ear canal. The problem can also be caused by ear mites, fleas, or ticks. None of these conditions are obvious without a through examination.

Caution. Do not probe into your Chihuahua’s ears to examine or clean them. The canine ear canal is long and narrow and angled horizontally at the jaw. This construction makes it impossible to remove debris trapped far inside the canal. Attempting to do this can cause injury and push it further into the canal.