How do I keep my dog's ears healthy?
Brandon Dach
2025-09-21 08:47:19
Count answers
: 17
To keep your dog's ears healthy, ear cleaning is one important aspect that needs to be performed before certain topical medications are applied. Ear cleanings are also often recommended as a maintenance routine for dogs prone to ear infections. Ear cleaning helps decrease debris, bacteria and yeast inside the ear. You may opt to perform ear cleanings outside, weather permitting, or have a towel ready to avoid any mess from the ear cleaning solution. Fill the ear canal with ear cleaning solution. Gently massage the base of the ear. Use cotton pads or cotton balls to gently wipe away debris, starting from the inside of the ear and working your way to the outside ear flap. 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. Regularly check your dog’s ears for signs of infection, which may include redness, itching, headshaking, discharge, odor, or discomfort when touching the ear.
Irma Hermann
2025-09-21 05:57:40
Count answers
: 14
To keep your dog’s ears healthy, you should check them at least once weekly. This allows you to find any problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue. Some signs to look for include: Odor Discharge Blood Swelling of the ear or narrowing of the ear canals Ulcers in the ear canal Redness to the ear and/or canal Scratching of the ears Excessive shaking of the head Tilting of the head Turning in circles Acting off-balance. Whenever possible, prevent water from getting into your dog's ear(s). They should be cleaned as part of any bathing regimen and after any swimming activities. Have your dog regularly groomed and their ear hair trimmed, especially if its excessive or your pup has a history of ear infections. Providing a proper and balanced diet with omega fatty acids can also help keep your dog's ear(s) as healthy as possible and more resistant to allergies. If your dog has recurrent ear infections, speak with your veterinarian about treatment and any potential underlying causes. Your dog’s ears should be cleaned with a solution specifically developed for this purpose. Do not use home recipes for ear cleaning that contain hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or alcohol, as they may irritate the ears or worsen an existing problem.
Meggie Upton
2025-09-21 05:14:33
Count answers
: 21
Cleaning your dog’s ears can:
Make it easier for you to examine your dog’s ear canal
Remove microbes and other small foreign objects that may cause dog ear infections
Clean and expose the ear canal for possible topical medication applications
Ear infections are often caused by excess moisture.
Take care to thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after a swim or a bath.
If your dog experiences chronic infections, talk to your vet about underlying causes such as allergies.
Managing your dog’s hygiene is an effective way to prevent future ear infections.
Clean your dog’s ears by:
Gently wiping the ear with an absorbent gauze.
Avoiding cotton swabs, which can push debris deeper into your dog’s ear.
Cleaning the external portions of your dog’s ears.
Melba Hoppe
2025-09-21 04:08:10
Count answers
: 22
To keep your dog's ears healthy, excessive hair growth in the ear canal can also make some pets more susceptible to ear infections. Your vet will check for ear mites by looking inside your pet's ear with a special tool called an otoscope. Many spot-on flea treatments also treat ear mites. Ear drops can also help treat the problem. If your pet has an ear infection they'll need treatment to reduce the swelling in their ear. They might also need pain killers to help keep them comfortable, and antibiotics to tackle what's causing the infection. Make sure you finish all the treatment, even if your pet seems better after a day or two. It’s important to give these drops to your pet properly so they go right into their ear. If you’re having trouble getting your pet to stay still or with the drops leaking out, speak to your vet for advice.
Michele Witting
2025-09-21 03:29:16
Count answers
: 22
Regular ear cleanings are essential for managing chronic, allergic-based inflammation and decreasing repeated infections. You will need a gentle ear cleaning solution and gauze squares or cotton balls. We do not recommend the use of cotton swabs, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog’s ears. Step 1 Pour a generous amount of the recommended cleaning solution directly into the ear canal. Step 2Using the cotton balls or gauze squares, absorb the excess solution and debris from the ear. Step 3 Repeat the previous steps until the cotton balls or gauze squares come out clean. We recommend cleaning your dog’s ears at least once monthly. For more chronic inflammation more frequent cleanings may be necessary and you should consult with your veterinarian.
Read also
- How can I help my dog's ears heal?
- How can I fix my dog's ear infection without going to the vet?
- What do I do if my dog keeps shaking his head and scratching his ear?
- What is the best natural ear cleaner for dogs?
- How do you treat dark brown ear discharge in dogs?
- How to tell if dog ear infection is yeast or bacterial?
- How do I alleviate my dog's itchy ears?
- How to deal with dog ear problems?
- What not to do when cleaning dog ears?
- Does brown stuff in dogs
- What is the best thing to clean a dog's ears out with?
- Can I heal my dog's ear infection properly at home?
- How to stop ear problems in dogs?
- What do vets use to clean dogs
- Can I put coconut oil in my dog's ears?
- Why does my dog have brown waxy stuff in his ear?