Cleaning a dog’s ears is something that should be done regularly, be it a puppy or an adult dog. Periodic cleaning of the ears is very important to avoid the appearance of fungi and related diseases.
Here we explain when to wash your dog’s ears, the utensils you need to carry it out and the methods to do it, ensuring that everything goes perfectly.
Cleaning the ears of our dogs
First of all, to know when you should clean the inside of your dog’s ears, it is important to carry out a review at least weekly. Depending on the breed and the shape of your dog’s ears, he probably needs more continuous hygiene. Here are the steps to follow:
1. The first step is to get all the materials that may be necessary to properly clean the dog’s ears:
- Sterile gauze.
- Cotton swabs.
- Saline solution (physiological serum)
Instead of saline solution, you can also opt for specific products that are marketed to clean the ears of pets. It is recommended to sterilize the gauze before application, because the cotton can fray inside the dog’s ear and break down.
Finally, for a much more thorough cleaning, you will need some cotton swabs. Yes, the same ones that are used in babies. They are much safer.
2. It is important to bear in mind that little by little you should get your dog used to this routine, so if you start as a puppy, the better. However, if you have decided to adopt an adult dog, you should still work gradually so that the process does not scare him away.
Always use positive reinforcement when your dog is still and allows you to manipulate him. This is a great way to distract them and reward their good attitude right now.
3. Begin cleaning by brushing aside the hair that is blocking the ear. In principle, if you regularly take care of your dog’s hygiene, it shouldn’t be too dirty.
The second step is to wet the gauze with the chosen product. It is advisable to apply some type of specially designed product, as it will facilitate the cleaning of the ear and will not irritate your pet’s skin. Start by cleaning the outer folds around the ear where dirt tends to collect.
4. Once the outside of the ear is clean, we recommend replacing the gauze and using a new one to clean the inside. Dampen the gauze again and little by little insert your fingers into the dog’s ear, without going too far. If you have a puppy, you should not stick your finger in more than one centimeter.
Slowly massage the inside of the ear with the gauze, taking care that your dog does not move. If you do not know the dog, it is especially important that you do it step by step. Also, doing it slowly will give you a better chance to study the ear.
5. Finally, use a cotton swab for children (which is thicker than normal ones) to finish cleaning the areas where our fingers cannot reach. It is important to do this part of the job carefully, especially if your dog is nervous, because you could cause damage to the ear.
6. Once the process is complete, all you need to do is massage the outside of the dog’s ear to calm him down and give him a reward for enduring the experience.
Remember that if you do not see yourself prepared to do this task, or you have doubts about how to do it correctly, it is better that you go to a trusted veterinarian and ask for help.
A visit to the specialist will also be essential if you notice particularly dark dirt or a bad smell, as it could be a disease.
Remember: caring for a dog in all aspects of daily hygiene is essential to prevent future health problems.