How do I keep my dog’s ears clean?
Healthy ears
Dogs naturally have clean, fresh-smelling ears without too much earwax. In a healthy ear, there is a delicate balance between skin bacteria, yeast, earwax, moisture and temperature. If your dog does not suffer from ear problems, do not use an ear cleaner too often. The cleaner can disrupt the balance of the ear flora, which can actually cause ear problems.
Some dogs suffer from excessive earwax production, which can cause an ear infection. If the vet has ruled out or treated other causes and the eardrum is intact, it is recommended to clean the dog's ears regularly with the right product.
Check the packaging for the amount of ointment or drops needed for the best result. Make sure the ear flap is held straight up, position the tip of the bottle vertically in the ear canal, and then apply the required amount of cleaner into the ear. Gently massage the ear canal afterwards, as this allows the liquid to come into contact with the ear as effectively as possible. Once you have treated both ears, the dog will probably shake its head. Therefore, take a step back. As a precaution, you can choose an area where it is okay if things get a little dirty, as liquid may still come out of the ears.
Caring for your dog's ears
When grooming your dog weekly, do not forget the ears. Check for mats, bald patches, redness, cuts, lumps, ticks or other objects that may have become caught in the fur around the ears. Also clean the inside of the ears using a cleansing wipe for the skin.
What is the function of hair in the ear?
It is often recommended to pull out the hair growing inside a dog's ears to keep the ear clean. However, these hairs are there for a reason: they keep dirt and flies out. If these do get into the ear, they can damage the eardrum. In addition, plucking is not recommended because the small wounds on the sensitive skin can cause ear infections. Therefore, never remove hair from the ears without advice from your vet! So don't.
Do not use cotton swabs!
Never use cotton swabs to clean the ear canal. They push the earwax deeper into the ear canal instead. This compacted mass of earwax prevents the ears from cleaning themselves and creates a breeding ground for infections. Dogs can become deaf as a result, and the eardrum can be seriously damaged.
