Ear Care for Dogs

The inside of a dog’s ear is a complex and fragile structure. Most dogs won’t need regular ear cleaning but It’s a good idea to regularly check your dog’s ears to help detect any potential issues and decide if any additional cleaning or a trip to the vet is needed. 
 
Earwax is produced to help keep the ear clean – it works its way up and out, taking along any nasties with it. However, too much earwax, can make your dog more prone to infections.
 
Certain breeds naturally have floppy ears, or hair growth in the ear canal. This can block up air flow, trap dirt, increase ear wax production and can make them even more susceptible to infections. It’s important to be aware of issues that your dog’s breed may be predisposed to, so you know what to look out for.
 
Frequent swimming or baths will lead to infections in the ears if water gets trapped inside. To prevent this, try to dry them as thoroughly as you can after these activities and use an ear cleaner frequently.

Obvious symptoms to look out for are your dog shaking their head, scratching or rubbing their ears. Your dog might also show sensitivity when you touch their ears.

To clean your dog’s ears, you’ll want to make sure you have cotton balls or pads, ear cleaning solution and clean towels or pads to remove excess moisture. It’s important to use a ear cleaning solutions or wipes that have been specifically made for dogs.
 
If your dog is not used to their ears being touched, spend some time getting them comfortable. Gently touch around their ears and feed them lots of tasty treats in between.
 
When your dog is calm you can gently inspect their ears by gently folding the ear back. Look out for signs of swelling or redness inside the ear flaps. Observe for any discharge, excess wax, or a strong odour coming from the ear. If there are signs of an infection, contact your vet for further advice.
 
Never try to clean deeper inside the dog’s ears than just the entrance or insert anything inside. They have a different structure to humans, and it could cause irreversible damage.
 
Ear cleaning solutions are designed to dissolve oils and waxes in the ear and help get dirt and debris out of the ears.  
 
Lift your dog’s ear and without allowing the tip of the bottle to touch the ear, add a small amount of ear cleaner to your dog's ear, and gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds.
 
Let your dog shake their head to help release the liquid and debris. Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth or pad and repeat on the other ear.

Ear infections can have several causes like moisture, wax buildup, allergies or foreign objects stuck in the ear. Symptoms include your dog scratching their ears, swelling, redness, discharge or yeasty odour. Treatment will often involve antibacterial or antifungal medicated ear drops.

Ear mites are tiny parasites that can infest the ear and may be passed between dogs through direct contact. You likely won’t be able to see the mites themselves, but you may see a discharge that resembles coffee grounds and/or notice a strong odour from your dog’s ears. Treatment generally involves medicated ear drops.

Just like humans, dogs can have allergies which might be seasonal, environmental or may be the result of food allergies. Allergic reactions can lead to inflammation which can trigger excess wax production which may lead to further infections. Treatment will depend on the cause but may include antihistamines, or medications to reduce inflammation.

Dogs may get foreign objects stuck in their ears. This could be plant matter, seeds, sand, insects, or any number of things that cause pain and discomfort and potentially damage to the ear canal.

Taking care of your dog's ears is a breeze for a happy and healthy pup! Keep an eye out for signs like head shaking and make ear cleaning a fun routine with dog-friendly cleaners and wipes. If anything seems off, don't hesitate to check with your vet.