Proper ear cleaning for dogs should always start with a thorough examination of both ears. A visual examination will identify any abnormalities such as the following:

• Redness
• Inflammation
• Abscesses
• Scratches
• Excess hair obstructing the ear canal
• Parasites

Smell

Smelling your dog’s ears will also help identify anything out of the ordinary. The inside of a healthy ear should smell like the rest of the dog. Any strong and/or unpleasant odor is a clear indication that something is wrong. If after inspection the ears appear to be healthy, you may begin cleaning them.

Soak a cotton ball in an ear cleaning solution made for dogs. Place the cotton ball in the ear canal and gently massage the ear, making the dog feel he is just getting a head rub. During this massage, also gently remove dirt from the ear. After you release the ears, your dog will probably instinctively shake his head. It is a good idea to move your head away to give him room to shake. Accidents can easily happen in the shower or tub, so always hold your dog to prevent him from slipping in the tub and hurting himself, especially when he is shaking.

If necessary, repeat the ear cleaning process to be sure all the dirt and accumulated wax is removed. Thoroughly rinse the area around the ear, either by gently covering the ear canal with your thumb to avoid getting water into the canal or by folding the ear down and spraying the dog with water from above. Always make sure that water does not enter the ear canal.

After the bath, add a couple drops of ear cleaner to change the pH level from any humidity left inside the ear canal, which will deter the growth of any future bacteria. If the ear seems infected (you’ll smell a strong odor), consult with your veterinarian to identify the correct product to use.

If you used cotton balls to protect the dog’s ear canal, this is a good time to remove them and apply a few drops of ear cleaning solution to avoid any possibility of humidity accumulation.

When Bathing

Remember that the skin inside a dog’s ear is very delicate and because dogs’ hearing is so sensitive, they get particularly nervous when you try to clean them.

Cotton balls serve a dual purpose and are the best and most gentle way to clean the ears. You should place dry cotton balls inside the ears when bathing your dog to make sure that water doesn’t enter the ear canals. Water inside a dog’s ear can lead to infections and cause serious problems. This is especially true for dogs with dropped or folded ears. Even though a healthy ear can be safely washed without cotton balls, as a safety measure it is always better to use them.

Excess Hair

If your dog has excess hair in the ears, you can gently remove the hair with your fingers or a hemostat tool. First, hold the ear open and apply some ear powder to make the hair easy to pull. Then, with a soft but firm hand, pinch the excess and possibly knotted hair with the fingers of the other hand and gently pull a few hairs at a time.

If the hair in and/or around the ears is very oily, apply cornstarch or baby powder and let it sit for a few minutes before cleaning the ear.