Basic Ear Care for Dogs

Your dog’s ears can be prone to infections and ear mites because of the natural way their ears are constructed. The curves and twists can hide mites, ear wax and irritation. Careful cleaning and maintenance can help to ensure that your best friend has healthy ears. The ASPCA gives easy tips that any pet owner can use safely.

Never insert anything into the ear canal. This can cause damage to the ear canal and eardrum. Loss of hearing may result if your dog’s eardrum becomes damaged or perforated from ear swabs or other foreign objects inserted into their ear canal. Instead use cotton balls moistened with a canine ear cleaning solution. Gently swab the ear wax and debris out of your dog’s ears using the moistened cotton ball.

Basic Ear Care for Dogs. Do not clean your dog’s ears too often. Excessive ear cleaning can lead to irritation and that can lead to infection. If you notice dark ear wax that looks like coffee grounds, this may be a sign of an ear mite infestation. A discharge can also be a sign that a trip to the vet is needed. Your vet can examine your dog’s ears and prescribe the correct medication to treat the condition he finds.

Some breeds of dogs have hair in their ears. You may need to trim or tweeze the hairs out twice a week or once a month. A qualified dog groomer or your vet can advise you if your breed of dog needs this done.

With these simple tips from the ASPCA you can keep your furry buddy’s ears clean and healthy.

Basic Ear Care for Dogs