Many pet owners simply don’t think about cleaning their pet’s ears, especially if they have a pup with ears that flop down and hide what’s going on under there. But regular ear cleaning is crucial, not only because dirty/smelly ears are unpleasant to live with, but because dirt and buildup can create the perfect environment for an ear infection – which is very painful for your pup! Plus, an ear infection can be costly to treat, so adding some regular ear attention to your pet’s home grooming routine is not just a great idea, it’s a must do.

Get to know what is going on in your pet’s ears. First and foremost, getting your pet used to being gently handled and examined all over is a crucial part of any pet ownership, so work with your pet slowly and give them a lot of calm encouragement while you check out what’s going on in their ears. You want to see healthy skin, free of debris or discharge, and free of any unpleasant odor.

If you encounter any of the following, it is recommended that your pet see a veterinarian as soon as possible as you may be looking at a medical issue, such as an ear infection:

-          Ears are hot to the touch

-          Skin appears red or angry

-          Excessive discharge or oozing

-          Unpleasant or sharp odor

In addition, your pet may show additional signs of discomfort by shaking their head or trying to scratch their ears.  Keep an eye out for any of these symptoms or behaviors, because if an ear infection takes hold, you want to treat it right away.

Should I clean my pet’s ears if they are showing symptoms of possible infection?

The answer is no, do not clean your pet’s ears if you see any signs of possible infection. Your veterinarian will want to take a culture of the ear to determine the best course of action for treatment. Dr. Siegel of Pet Hospital of Thousand Oaks explains why:

But if your pet’s ears are just a little dirty or waxy, read on, because we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about keeping them in tip top shape!

How often should I clean my pet’s ears?

As with everything in grooming, so many answers change depending on a pet’s activity level, living situation, breed, genetic pre-disposition – so we’re going to answer this question in a general sense. Always remember to modify general guidelines by observing your pet and tweaking recommendations as needed.

* The general recommendation of how often you should clean your pet’s ears is about once per week, unless recommended otherwise by your veterinarian. *

Cleaning too often can disrupt the natural balance of elements working within the ear to keep it healthy, so in the case of basic ear cleaning, you generally just need to give the ear a gentle but thorough wipe with the right products one day per week.

Now, let’s be frank: if you don’t wipe the inside of your pet’s ear once a week, does that mean a guaranteed ear infection? Absolutely not. This is talking about a recommended regimen that will give your pet the best chance for excellent ear health. And after we show you how easy it is, you’ll be able to add this to your regular schedule and carve out less than two minutes a week to bond with and benefit your pet.

We promised simple; here it is:

-          A liquid ear cleaner – veterinarian recommended for your pet’s species (dogs and cats can have different formulations, so triple check!)

-          Cotton balls (or rounds, or pieces of a roll). Just make sure it’s 100% natural cotton fiber, because it matters.

-          (Optional: Cotton swabs)

Before we go further, we should mention that there are ear wipe pads that work great as well. We’ll make sure to give you some options so you can choose what works best for you.

Some of our favorite ear cleaners:

Vetwell Earwell

Cotton balls and Cotton Rolls

Zymox Ear Cleaner

Note about excessive ear hair

Before we start cleaning, it’s important to note that some breeds tend to grow a lot of hair inside their ear canals (think Poodles, Bichons, and a host of other “hair dogs”). If the hair is blocking proper aeration for ear health, this hair needs to be plucked gently. For more info, our videos on the subject may help!

Ready to start cleaning your pet’s ear? Let’s go through it together, step by step:

1)      Plan where you are going to set up your basic tools so that you have them ready for action.

2)      Make sure you and your pet are comfortable, and modify your plan based on your pet’s behavior. If your pet shows no discomfort about being touched around the ears, you can make this session as casual as when sitting on the couch together. However, if your pet shows anxiety or fear (and careful, this may mean that they are in pain in that area, so be aware!), you may need to ask a friend to help or use a grooming table and loop setup.

[And if the ear is red, hot, smelly, or oozy, STOP and call your veterinarian!]

3)      Get ready to start cleaning by lightly pre-moistening two separate cotton balls with the ear cleaner (or in the case of wipes, you’ll be planning to use at least two wipes).  You may need more than one cotton ball per ear, depending on the condition of the ear, but you will need at least one cotton ball per ear.

[Never use the same cotton ball from one ear to the other! Each ear needs to be cleaned with its own cotton ball to ensure proper hygiene.]

4)      Gently approach your pet and give them a nice scratching around the ear area to desensitize them about being touched in that area.  Get ready with your first cotton ball and look into your first ear (pets with ears that flop down will need the ear flap to be lifted up).

5)      Start wiping the inside of the ear with your cotton ball, focusing on the areas that you can see. Do not attempt to clean deeply into the canal – stay by the opening of the canal and no further.

6)      Discard the cotton ball or wipe when it is dirty, and continue with new cotton balls until there is no more dirt left on the cotton. 

[Stop cleaning if your pet is showing signs of discomfort or if the ear skin is showing any signs of irritation or over-cleaning. Some pets have extreme dirt that may need a few sessions spaced out between a few days to clean thoroughly.]

7)      Use a dry cotton ball to soak up any excess cleaner and do a final check for any debris.

8)      Repeat on the other ear!

In the course of pet ownership, your veterinarian may recommend other advanced ear treatments, such as flushing and irrigating the ear to loosen buildup deep within the canal. Make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions if these treatments are necessary for your pet’s ear health.

I hope we convinced you that regular ear cleaning is not only easy-peasy but is a huge step in preventing major ear issues. Let’s keep those ears in tip-top condition so that our pet’s live their best lives by our sides.

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Zymox Ear Wipe Pads