Cleaning a Dog's Ears

About Cleaning a Dog's Ears

Spring is right around the corner in many parts of the country, although it may not look like it. We all gear up for the spring and summer seasons with spring cleaning and refurbishing our houses inside and out. Even the dog run gets a quick run over, whether it is picking up poop, replacing pea gravel or just hosing down the cement.

With all this spring cleaning going, don't forget to give your dog a turn too! This week we will tackle the job of cleaning a dog's ears. All dogs benefit from ear cleaning, but this is especially important for any of you who have dogs that do a lot of swimming, like my Lab Senny, or dogs with ears that flap over. The reason for this is that moisture can build up in the ears and start an infection. Ear mites can also be a difficulty for dogs, and their ears need to be checked regularly so these pests don't take up residence.

Many people check and clean their dog's ears when they bathe their dog, but ears should be cleaned more often than that. I feel that the ears should be cleaned weekly; this way you can keep abreast of your dog's ear health. Too much moisture in the ears can lead to the growth of bacteria and yeast.

Let's Get Started

Supplies

Here is what you want to have on hand:

• A good ear wash: I personally love the tub that comes with great smelling pre-soaked cotton pads. It is a cleaner and deodorizer at the same time, and it's called R-7 Ear Cleaning Deodorant Pads®. Using these pads is also safer for your pet's ears than cotton swabs.
• A good ear drying powder: R-7 has a great one of these too. I personally love this line, but you do have a large selection to pick from. Just make sure that any product you choose is veterinarian approved.

Simple Steps

• Step one: Use the pre-soaked pad to gently swab out the dirt and debris from your dog's ears. Clean the inner ear flap, as well as the areas you can safely reach in the outer portion of the ear canal. Don't be afraid to use a second pad if an ear still isn't quite clean after the first. Also, avoid using a soiled pad from one ear on the other. This is a sure way to transfer germs and/or mites from one ear to the other.

• Step two: Once each ear is thoroughly cleaned, it's time to add your ear powder to help dry out the canals and prevent infection. It doesn't take much to treat each ear, so use according to the directions on the label. Add the powder and then massage the backs of your dog's ears to help work it down further into the canals. Be prepared for your dog to give a big shake when you're finished. This helps expel some of the excess powder.

Offer calm praise to your dog throughout the cleaning, and make sure you give your baby a big hug, a treat and plenty of praise once you're finished. This is an important grooming habit you want to continue, so the more praise you give your dog the better. If your dog is not used to having his ears cleaned, start slowly by cleaning just one ear at a time. You can go back later and finish up with the powder. In time, your dog will be like my boys and come running for a nice bonding time and clean ears.