How To Efficiently Clean Your Dog's Ears and Avoid Issues

We all want what's best for our fur babies, and that means giving them as much care as we can, in every way we can. From grooming to vet checkups, the checklist of care and love to give them is long.

One area that needs special attention is the ears. Our pups can't really do much with their ears but scratch at them, which means if something gets in or on the ear, it can cause no end of irritation for the poor pooch. Worse, irritation can lead to infection, and infection can be very dangerous.

So, how do you clean your dog's ears quickly, effectively, and while avoiding causing more problems than you solve? It's easier than you might think, but there are a few tips and tricks it's worth learning.

Know How Often to Clean Your Dog's Ears

The first thing to do is learn how frequently you should be cleaning your pupper's ears. And no, "when they stop listening to you" isn't a reason; they're probably just being stubborn in hopes of a treat when they obey.

The general rule of thumb is that you should aim to clean your dog's ears out at least once every 1-2 months. However, there are a lot of little details that might mean you need to do it more often.

• If your dog has sensitive ears, where smaller amounts of debris or bacteria cause problems, more frequent cleaning can help minimize the issues.

• If your dog is a breed with large, floppy ears, more frequent cleaning is necessary because moisture is more easily trapped in the ear canals.

• If your dog is doing something like swimming or playing in dirt and mud that can get in their ears, you'll want to check and clean them afterwards.

Certain breeds might also produce more earwax genetically, which might require more frequent cleaning.

Also, make sure to ask your vet specifically about your dog. Even individual dogs can have different needs, and making sure to clean as frequently as necessary for your pooch is better than following a generic guide.

Dogs will also let you know when they need their ears cleaned, because they'll exhibit behaviors that tell you they have something irritating them. Check for redness around the ears, look for discharge or excess earwax, and be cognizant of any weird smells coming from their ears. Behaviorally, watch for them shaking their head a lot, shying away from having their ears touched, or scratching at their ears excessively.

If you look and examine your pup's ears and they don't seem to need cleaning, then you're probably fine. Again, the rule of thumb is just a general tip, and some dogs won't need cleaning as frequently.

What Supplies Do You Need to Clean a Dog's Ears Efficiently?

Getting the right ear cleaning supplies is essential for three reasons.

First, having the right supplies on hand will help you clean their ears more effectively. Second, using the right supplies will make it as minimally unpleasant as possible for your pup. And third, you have a lower risk of doing something wrong or damaging your fur baby's ears if you're using tools and supplies designed for it.

So, what supplies do you need?

• Cotton balls. These will help absorb liquid and trap crud that comes out of their ears, so you don't get it everywhere. Do NOT use a cotton swab or other stick-held cotton, as it can jab the inside of their ear canal and be painful. If you don't want to use cotton balls, gauze can also work.

• A cleaning solution. Commercial cleaners have a variety of ingredients, including something for antibacterial and antifungal purposes, a drying agent so it dries out faster than something water-based, and often a mild acid to break down earwax. They'll also often include a moisturizer to prevent the ear canal from drying out and getting irritated.

• A clean towel to catch spillage and clean up any solution that drips out of their ears.

• Treats. Positive reinforcement is a key part of keeping your dog calm and happy to be there while you mess with their ears, so make sure you have treats on hand to reward them for good behavior.

That's basically it!

What Dog Ear Cleaning Supplies Should You Avoid

Across the internet, you'll find all kinds of tips and tools for making ear cleaning easier. Unfortunately, a lot of them can be very dangerous if used improperly, and are often unnecessary.

Some of these supplies to avoid include:

• Hydrogen peroxide. Yes, it's antibacterial and can break up earwax, but it can also irritate the inside of the ear canal, and it will be weird and unpleasant for your dog, so they won't like the ear cleaning. It might seem effective at first, but it will do more harm than good down the line.

• Syringes and squeeze bottles. The only bottle you should need is the one the ear cleaner comes in. Anything like a syringe risks putting too much pressure in the ear canal, forcing cleaner deeper in where it won't come out easily, and potentially even rupturing an eardrum.

• Anything long or sharp. The inside of the ear canal is sensitive, and even something like a Q-tip can scrape or damage it. I've known some people who try to buy veterinary tools to use at home, and it's just overkill. You don't need it, and it will do more harm than good if you use it incorrectly.

When in doubt, talk to your vet about what you need, and they can point you in the right direction, and even demonstrate ear cleaning for you so you know how to do it right.

How to Efficiently Clean Your Dog's Ears

Fortunately, the actual process for cleaning your dog's ears is pretty simple. Different dogs of different sizes and personalities will need a little tweak here and there to this process, but in general, this is how you do it.

Step 0: Make sure their ears need cleaning in the first place.

Some dog grooming should be done on a schedule, no matter what, like tooth brushing. Tasks like ear cleaning don't need to be done unless their ears need it, so make sure to check if their ears are dirty, waxy, or look a little irritated, and clean them then.

If you think your dog might have an ear infection (like if it smells bad, if there's blood, or if it looks really inflamed), stop and call your vet. Cleaning normally while their ear is infected can do more harm than good, and probably won't treat the infection, so you need to get it diagnosed and get the right medication to address it first.

Step 1: Create a calm environment for cleaning.

Dogs are very reactive critters, and that means they run on the energy you give them. If you're hyped up, anxious, or nervous about cleaning their ears, they'll pick up on it. Likewise, if they're amped up to play or run or otherwise be a handful to handle, it's not a good time. Always try to clean their ears when they're calm, preferably kind of tired, and unlikely to want to climb the walls out of excess energy or boredom.

Sometimes, you can do ear cleaning outside. More often, you'll want to do it in the bathroom, or whatever other area you have dedicated for their bathing and grooming. It's probably not a great idea to do it in the middle of the living room or wherever, since it can get a little messy.

Step 2: Gather everything you'll need.

The supplies list above is generally all you'll need, but you definitely want to make sure it's on hand when you start.

If you have to get up and grab something while your pup has an ear full of cleaner, you're in for a bad time.

Step 3: Put ear cleaner in one ear, as directed.

Different ear cleaning solutions might have different instructions, but for the most part, they'll be similar: put 1-2 squirts of ear cleaner in the ear. Be careful not to make a seal when you do this, so you don't cause excess pressure and damage the eardrum or force debris deeper in the ear canal. Small dogs won't need much, while large breeds and giant breeds will need more. You're basically trying to fill the ear canal without forcing any in or letting it spill over.

When applying the ear cleaner, don't let the tip of the bottle touch their ear. This can contaminate the bottle and, in rare cases, even spread infections if it contaminates the solution.

Step 4: Massage the base of your pup's ear.

Once the solution is in their ear, you'll want to gently massage their ear from below. This will work the solution through the ear canal, and help break up earwax, loosen debris, and generally facilitate the cleaner doing the cleaning.

Depending on how antsy your dog is, they may try to squirm away from you while you're doing this. This is where training and treats come in. You want them to stay still and to reward them when they're done.

Step 5: Drain and wipe the ear, ear canal, and face (and walls, and ceiling, and…)

Most dogs, as soon as you're done massaging their ear, will shake their head because it feels weird, and there's a bunch of stuff in their ear, and that's the only way they have to get it out.

So, you know. Be prepared for that, with the towel. That shake is likely to send cleaner, debris, earwax, and other grime in a nice, wide arc across you, your walls, and anything else in the way. Block it with a towel to minimize the mess, then wipe anything else out of the ear canal and off their ear and face.

Step 6: Add any ear medication if necessary.

If your pup has an ear infection, has irritated ears, or otherwise needs a medication applied to the ear canal, this is when you would apply it.

Instructions vary, so make sure to do what your vet tells you.

Step 7: Repeat with the other ear.

That's one ear down. Now, go back to step one and repeat with the other ear.

When you're done, reward them with another treat and praise, and let them go do their thing while you finish cleaning up.

Extra Questions for Dog Ear Cleaning

There are a few other topics I wanted to answer above, but didn't find the right place for, so here they are. If you have questions I didn't answer, let me know!

Can you use a DIY ear cleaning solution?

Maybe. There are a lot of recipes ( like this) for homemade ear cleaners, usually based on alcohol and vinegar as the main active ingredients. I usually find that the commercial products are more effective and only require one rinse, whereas homemade versions are multi-step processes. You also aren't likely to save any money when you have to buy a bunch of ingredients you likely don't keep on hand for other reasons.

It probably won't hurt your dog to use a DIY version, as long as they aren't allergic to one of the ingredients, but I don't think the drawbacks are worth it.

What if my dog really, really doesn't like having their ears cleaned?

Some dogs are energetic and won't sit still during the process. Others might balk at the idea, but they can be trained to be more receptive to it. Some, though, will violently reject anyone messing with their ears.

Their ears still need cleaning, so what can you do? Truthfully, your best option is to just bring them to the vet or a trained groomer to let them do it. You don't want to jeopardize your bond with your pup, and you definitely don't want to hurt them in the process, so let someone trained in handling recalcitrant animals do it for you.

Over time, you can train your pup to be more receptive to ear cleaning. It's basically the same process you'd use to train them to let you clip their nails, which I outline in this post. Give it a read and let me know what you think!