Should I clean the gunk out of my dog's ears?
Catalina O'Hara
2025-08-20 15:29:49
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Cleaning your dog’s ears is one task that falls under the not-so-fun category but should be high on your priority list to avoid infection or irritation. The best way to clean your dog's ears is to use a general-purpose ear cleanser that does not contain any alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other harsh chemicals. Wait until your dog is calm and relaxed before attempting to clean their ears. A general-purpose ear cleanser is an essential part of a healthy ear-cleaning routine. These are specially designed for non-infected ears and help clean and remove debris from the ear canal. It can be used 1-3 times weekly with a cotton ball or gauze to gently wipe away excess wax and any visible debris. If you notice any blood, excessive amounts of wax, or a foul odor, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible, as this might be a sign of a dog ear infection. Dog owners should never put anything in their dog’s ears if an infection is suspected and should get them to their veterinarian right away.
Grace Frami
2025-08-14 19:26:48
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Of course, it’s ideal if you start handling or cleaning their ears when puppies as they’re much more likely to be ok with ear cleaning when they’re older. However, this isn’t always possible, particularly if you have a rescue or an older dog who’s never had their ears cleaned before. If your dog has an infection, they’ll have ears which are sensitive to the touch and they’ll be red and inflamed. They may also shake their head regularly or try and scratch their ears as it’ll feel incredibly irritating for them.
Zoe Schiller
2025-08-03 20:53:25
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Don't try to guess what's causing your dog's ear discharge. Find out by making an appointment with your vet, who can diagnose the cause of your dog's ear discharge and prescribe the best treatment. Keeping the inside of your dog's ears clean can help prevent ear problems. You can remove visible dirt with a cotton ball soaked with a canine ear cleaning solution, or by wrapping a damp cloth around your finger and gently cleaning the outer ear. Don't dig deep and don't use cotton swabs, which can damage the ear canal or pack wax or debris against the eardrum. Inspect your dog's ears every two weeks, checking for dirt, odor, and foreign bodies. If your dog swims a lot or tends to get ear infections, ask your vet about products that dry out the ear canal and prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast. Gently pull back your dog's ears and have a quick look inside, what you should see is a clean, pink ear canal. If you notice discharge, redness, swelling, or odor, it's time to talk to the vet.
Lavonne Hand
2025-08-03 20:29:35
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You will need more equipment like syringes or an ear dropper, and the oil needs to be warmed to your dog’s body temperature. Clean your dog’s ears first, and then apply the medicated drops approximately 15 minutes later. Dog ears are very sensitive so only ever use a dog-safe ear cleaner. Cleaning your dog’s ears will help to remove some ear mites, but they will need medication to get rid of them completely.
Curt Bartoletti
2025-08-03 19:04:36
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The structure of the dog’s ear canal makes it difficult for material trapped deep within the horizontal canal to be expelled without the assistance of cleanings. This material can lead to itchiness and ear infections if not removed. While it is important to clean your dog’s ears when needed, over-cleaning may cause irritation in the ear canal and this can lead to infection. Some dogs that have healthy, clean ears may never need to have their ears cleaned. However, it is recommended to clean your dog’s ears if you notice discharge or an odor when examining the ear. Your veterinarian can help you decide how often your dog’s ears should be cleaned. If your dog’s ears are red, inflamed, or painful, consult with your veterinarian prior to cleaning.
Pete Abshire
2025-08-03 17:31:05
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Clean your dog’s ears at least twice a week to keep on top of wax and debris. Don’t clean your dog’s ears more often than this – it can cause irritation and ear problems, exactly what you’re trying to avoid. Check your dog’s ears regularly – every day if possible. You should be able to see a small amount of light brown wax. To remove the ear wax from your dog’s ear, follow the instructions on your chosen dog ear cleaner. Please avoid putting anything down the ear canal as this can damage the ear lining and eardrum. Only wipe the areas you can see. Contact your vet if you’re concerned about anything or suspect your dog has an ear infection as you usually need medication to get rid of it.
Charlie Denesik
2025-08-03 16:56:10
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: 12
Ear cleaning helps decrease debris, bacteria and yeast inside the ear. When a dog has an ear infection, excessive, abnormal debris is often present, making it difficult for the topical medications to reach the infection. If debris is packed deep into the ear canal, it can prevent the medication from reaching the deeper parts of the ear closer to the eardrum. The ears are very sensitive, so make the experience more comfortable for your dog by being as gentle as possible and rewarding them with plenty of positive reinforcement, like their favorite treats. If your dog seems to be in pain during an ear cleaning, stop and consult with your veterinarian. The frequency of cleaning your dog’s ears will depend on whether it is for treatment of an infection, which could be up to daily to start, or maintenance, which could be every 1-2 weeks. Dogs with a history of allergies, recurrent ear infections, or floppy ears may need their ears cleaned more frequently. For a dog with healthy, normal ears, a routine ear clean is only needed if dirt or debris is noted, as overcleaning the ears can also lead to irritation of the ears.
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