Grooming Tip: Ear Cleaning for any dog!
Grooming Practice Number Two: Ear Cleaning!
This blog article is part three of a four part series on grooming tips for every day.
You can read part one HERE and part two HERE and part four HERE
Cleanliness is next to godliness. Isn’t that how the saying goes?
Jupiter, the Catahoula, has her ears cleaned only once every few months. While Kluane, the Poodle, gets her ears cleaned twice a month.
We bath our dogs, we brush our dogs and we keep our dog beds clean. But how often do we think about cleaning our dogs’ ears?
Did you know… dogs living with filthy ears is downright damaging?
Hard truth time about dog ears.
Dogs have the ability to build up wax and debris in their ears much faster than humans. And without regular ear cleaning, our dogs can (and do!)develop ear infections.
With that being said, dogs with ears that stand up rather than lay down, tend to need less attention paid to their ears. Even dogs with ears that lay next to their head may rarely need a good ear cleaning.
The major take-away to ear cleaning is this; check your dogs ears, make sure he is good and used to having his ears touched by humans, and keep a regular watch on the condition of his ears.
The great news about ear cleaning is that the entire process is relatively easy.
This handsome Bull Mastiff puppy has adorable ears!
We’re looking at another relaxing night on the sofa for the ear cleaning job. Maybe change it up a bit and binge on some Hulu shows. The Handmaid’s Tale is a personal favorite!
Be sure to have your items within arm’s reach before you begin. Nothing is more inconvenient than having your pup relaxed on his side and realizing you have to get off the sofa to grab a cotton ball.
If you’ve not been regularly cleaning your dog’s ears, I don’t recommend jumping right in and winging it. Ears are important. They are also sensitive. Baby steps, patience and a gentle touch are the prescribed methods for creating an enjoyable ear cleaning experience.
Zymox is a good and reliable ear cleaner for dogs.
Begin by getting your dog good and used to having her ears touched. Play with her ears, rub (gently) her ears. Make a point to play with her ears during every petting and snuggle session. The goal here is to desensitize your dog to any type of touch in and around the ears.
Once your dog shows little to no interest when you play with her ears, add the cotton ball! Use the cotton ball to gently rub the visible part of the ear canal and outer ear. Remember; lots of praise and treats while your dog relaxes and allows you to play with his ears.
NaturVet Ear Wash with Tea Tree Oil is my go-to ear cleaning solution. But if your dog has sensitive ears or is prone to infections, avoid scented ear cleaners and always consult your veterinarian.
Just like we say about our own human ears; nothing less pointed than an elbow should ever be stuck in your dog’s ear. If you think there may be some sort of foreign object obstructing the ear canal of your dog, check with your veterinarian to get it sorted out.
There are all kinds of ear cleaners on the market. Many of them do a great job, too! My own recommendation for ear cleaner is pretty simple; ask your veterinarian.
Some dogs need more attention to their ears than others. And your dog’s own veterinarian will know how best to care for whatever individual ear issues he may have.
You can get a more detailed play-by-play on how to clean dog ears here at the VCA Hospitals website.
It is my opinion that monthly ear cleaning is a good starting point. And ears should be checked every week for debris, discharge and/or odors. The most important piece to the ear cleaning puzzle, as with anything else, is consistency.
Stay tuned for our final blog article about dog grooming for the every day… NAIL TRIMS!
Clean ears are pretty ears. Even in the dead of winter on a frozen lake!