Dogs need their ears cleaned to ensure good ear hygiene. Read this blog for some tips on what you can do.
All dogs need their ears cleaned regularly to ensure good ear hygiene. If your dog’s ears are neglected, this can lead to a painful inner ear infection and an unhappy pooch.
In fact, ear cleaning is even more important if you have a dog with furry or long and droopy ears where airflow is restricted. This can trap debris and moisture creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Floppy-eared breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds and Golden Retrievers, and furry-eared breeds like Miniature Schnauzers and Bishon Frises are more prone to ear infections.
So you should always watch out for excess debris, wax and yeast build up in your dog’s ears, as they can quickly turn into a nasty infection. But the best course of action to keep problems at bay, is to make ear cleaning a part of your dog’s grooming routine. It’s a fool-proof way to keep your pooch happy and their ears healthy.
Signs your dog has an ear infection
It’s important you’re able to spot the signs of an ear infection so you know if it’s time to see a vet. This is when it’s likely gone passed the point of a simple ear cleaning and you should seek help.
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Excessive head shaking
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Excessive ear scratching
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Inflamed, red ears
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Discharge from the ears
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A yeasty smell from the ears - this can indicate an infection is brewing.
Cleaning your dog’s ears
Remove ear fur - If your dog has fur growing inside the ear canal, always ensure they’re as fur-free as possible to encourage airflow. Check them regularly and ask your vet for their recommendation on removing ear hair. Some will suggest you remove the fur with clippers or scissors, others suggest plucking.
There’s no real evidence to suggest which is the most effective, so choose a method you and your dog are most comfortable with.
Deep cleaning – Ear drops are the best way to clean deep within the ear canal to kill bacteria while removing debris and wax. Furry-eared and long-eared breeds would benefit from a weekly or fortnightly cleaning, while dogs with upright, non-furry ears may only need a clean every couple of months.
For an all-natural deep clean, you could consider Colloidal Silver Ear Drops, ideal for bacterial or fungal ear conditions. Product can either be used in the ear or around it. Use several drops once or twice daily and massage into the base of the ear canal for 15-20 seconds before wiping out any excess liquid.
Natural Dog Company Ear Wipes with plant based natural ingredients are handy wipes which are ideal when you are "on-the-go". Helps to clean dirt, ear wax, and helps avoid bacterial and yeast build up. 50 wipes per tub. Find out more HERE.
You can also use PhytoPet Ear Drops which contains a combination of herbs and essential oils to soften ear wax, deter mites and other parasites and calm inflammation. These should be dropped into the affected ear three times per day.
To wipe away any excess liquid we recommend using the Bogar Micro Cleansing Pad to wipe away any wax and debris around the ear canal and on the ear flap. They can also be used in combination with the ear cleaning drops listed above. These re-usable cloths contain Colloidal Silver known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties so can be washed and re-used for 6-8 weeks.
The cloth can also be used together with the Biogance Organissime Clean Ear Lotion with Aloe Vera and Green Tea to deodorise and gently remove stains, wax and debris in between deep cleanings. This is perfect for quick cleans if your dog tends to get mucky rolling around in mud on their daily walks! Apply to an ear cloth or alternatively cotton pads, before gently cleaning and massaging the ear canal.
While cleaning your dog’s ears, take care not to force cloth or cotton pads into the ear canal, as you could cause pain or injury to the ear canal or the ear drum. And if you suspect your dog already has an ear infection, always visit your vet for advice.
See our full range of ear care products here.
