How to Clean a Dog’s Ears

Ear cleaning for dogs is an extremely important grooming step as the build-up of wax can lead to ear infections. If you find your dog still has a smelly odour, especially after their recent bath, there’s a chance it could be their ears that are the problem.

Dogs who love to run through tall grass or swim out on their walks are more likely to get dirty ears and with no way of removing the dirt themselves, they can very quickly lead to infections. Regularly checking your pup’s ears after a walk will quickly help you determine how often they need a cleaning.

Ears can be easily cleaned at home so you can help your pup avoid any nasty infections. With various home remedy solutions, it can often be difficult to understand the best way to clean a dog’s ears. We would highly recommend using veterinary approved products to ensure they’re ears are being cleaned as safely as possible. The VetIQ Ear Cleaner for Cats and Dogs and Beaphar Ear Cleaner for Cats and Dogs are both perfect for regularly cleaning your pups ears.

Using non-toxic and anti-bacterial ingredients, they help to soften any build up of ear wax and helps to aid the removal safely. Your local vet can also support with any questions you may have about cleaning their ears at home.

When using the solution, all you need are cotton wool balls or pads to help scoop any dirt that could be visible. After the wax is becomes softer, you’re able to easily remove it with cotton wool leaving behind nice clean ears. We recommend avoiding using cotton wool buds as they can damage the ear if you go in too deep with them.

Ear cleaners are made to be squirted into the ear canal, give it a little time and smush it around to help soften any wax. Most dogs won’t love when you squirt the cleaner in but when they get an ear massage out of it, they will usually forgive you pretty quickly. Distracting them whilst you clean their ears is another great tactic. Using a lick mat with doggy friendly peanut butter can help the process run smoother!

While ear cleaning should be regular, it doesn’t need to be every week. Cleaning ears too often can cause unwanted irritation. Wax doesn’t build up overnight so depending on your dog and how mucky their ears get, every one to two months should be plenty for keeping their ears nice and spotless!

If you notice any build up sooner or if you just want to make sure they have nothing stuck down there, particularly after a swim or a wild walk, grooming wipes are great for maintaining them. With a few wipes any visible dirt will be removed in no time.

For sensitive pups, Furrish Ear Wipes are formulated to be soft and gentle – ideal for regular wiping, in and around their ears. With added aloe vera and witch hazel, they’re also perfect for soothing any itching they could be experiencing after running around outside. Particularly in and around grass.

Regular cleaning can drastically reduce any ear infections, however it’s important to understand any noticeable changes in their ears. Signs your dog might have an ear infection will usually occur around the head and ears. The clear symptoms to look out for are: 

If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommended booking an appointment with your vet as soon as you can. The quicker an ear infection is caught, the easier it is to treat and the faster your pup can be back to feeling well again.

When a dog has an ear infection, it’s best to leave it to the professionals rather than trying to clear it at home. The vet can treat the infection with a tailored cleaner or they may prescribe you with a stronger, medicated ear cleaner. Some pups may need a combination of cleaners and drops to help fight off any infections.

You may also be asked to perform much more regular ear cleaning like daily cleans at home to help get on top of the infection. However, this would only be recommended by your vet and should only be performed if required.

For all of your ear cleaning needs and every other doggy essential you can think of, take a look at our wide selection of products to help keep your pooch happy and healthy!