How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears at Home
Regular ear cleaning helps keep your dog’s ears healthy and free from infections, wax buildup, and irritation. With the right technique, this routine care task is simple and safe to perform at home. Here’s a video guide to help you clean your dog’s ears confidently using veterinarian-recommended techniques.
Understanding Your Dog’s Ear Anatomy
Your dog’s ear canal is shaped like an “L.” This means it curves down and then inward—so even if you insert cleaner or gently wipe the canal, you won't reach the eardrum. That’s important to know because it means proper cleaning won’t harm their inner ear when done correctly.
What You’ll Need to clean your dog's ear
- Veterinary-approved ear flush or cleaning solution
- Gauze squares, tissues, or cotton rounds
- Optional: Cotton swabs for cleaning outer crevices
- A towel (for possible head shaking)
1. Position Your Dog and Gently Lift the Ear
Have your dog sit or lie down comfortably. Gently lift the ear flap (also known as the ear pinna) to expose the ear canal.
2. Apply the Ear Cleaning Solution
Insert the tip of the ear cleaning bottle into the canal and gently squeeze until you see the fluid begin to fill the canal or slightly overflow. Don’t worry—this is normal and necessary to clean the ear thoroughly.
3. Massage the Base of Your Pet's Ear
Use your fingers to gently massage the base of your dog’s ear for about 20–30 seconds. You may hear a soft “squishing” or “clacking” sound—this means the solution is working to break up debris and wax inside the canal.
4. Let Your Pet Shake It Out
After massaging, allow your dog to shake their head. This helps dislodge deeper debris and fluid from the ear canal.
5. Wipe Away Excess Fluid and Debris
Use a clean gauze square, tissue, or cotton round to wipe the inside of the ear and remove debris or fluid. Repeat with fresh gauze until it comes away mostly clean.
6. Use a Cotton Swab (Optional)
For the outer ear folds and crevices, you can carefully use a cotton swab to remove additional residue. Do not insert cotton swabs deep into the canal. Stick to areas you can see and reach safely.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
If your dog’s ears are red, swollen, have a foul smell, or your dog shows signs of pain during cleaning, consult your veterinarian. Frequent head shaking or scratching may also indicate an ear infection that needs an exam.
Monitoring your pet’s health at home can be a helpful part of their ongoing care plan. For more tutorials and expert guidance, visit our Pet Care Video Library.
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