Learn How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears in 4 Simple Steps

February 14, 2023

Have you noticed that your dog is shaking her head more than usual or her ears smell a little funky? Or maybe you have seen some dirt collecting in there? These are all normal signs that your doggy needs her ears cleaned! So how often should you clean your dog’s ears?

Well, some dog breeds need their ears cleaned on a regular basis, especially our floppy-eared friends like Basset Hounds. Other breeds that have pointy, upright ears might not ever need their ears cleaned.

It is best to speak with your vet before you clean your dog’s ears because sometimes the symptoms of a dirty ear can be the same as an infection! You don’t want to be rubbing or digging into your dog’s ears if they have an infection, this could worsen it!

Once you are sure your dog’s ears are just dirty and there is no infection in sight, you can start to clean them! Below are the simple supplies you will need:

Dog ear-cleaning solution
Cotton ball or gauze
Towel

When you choose an ear-cleaning solution you can ask your vet which brand they use or recommend for your dog specifically!

*Tip: never use a Q-tip or cotton swab to clean your dog’s ears. These can end up pushing more dirt back into your pup’s ears and may lead to uncomfortable pain or an infection!

Now that you have all of your supplies, let’s get this cleaning started!

1. Gather your supplies

Pick a time of day when your dog is most relaxed. You could even try to do this after a long play session when your fury bud is all tuckered out.

2. Attention

Now that you have your dog’s attention and she is relaxed you can begin the cleaning! Squeeze the solution into your doggy’s ear (use the recommended amount labeled on the product). Gently massage the solution at the bottom of her ear for roughly 30 seconds. It is normal to hear swishing sounds, this is just the dirt or debris rubbing off in the solution. Another tip is to keep treats handy! If your dog is doing great with the cleaning, reward her! This will make the process more enjoyable for her!

3. Shake it loose!

Your dog will likely want to shake her head to remove the liquid from her ears, so let her! This is where the towel comes into play. You can use it to protect yourself from the liquid or wipe her down when she is finished.

4. Wipe!

Take your cotton ball or gauze and gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ears. Make sure you don’t go too deep during this step. You should only go in an inch or two.