Like humans, your dog requires regular grooming. Most people know how to trim dog nails or to bathe their dogs, but some may not realize that ear cleaning is also an essential grooming practice. In fact, cleaning your dog’s ears regularly should be done more often than most other grooming practices due to the fact that ear infections are more common in dogs.
Ear cleaning is one of the easiest things to do for your dog, and it becomes even easier when you are able to make your own homemade dog ear cleaning solution with ingredients at home. It would be best to make it a regular grooming practice in your house to keep your dog happy and healthy.
The Difference Between Dog Ears and Human Ears
Dog ears are not like human ears, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cleaned the same way. Instead, they need to be cleaned more regularly due to the specific shape of a dog’s ear.
A dog’s ear is more prone to infection than a human’s due to its different shape. Of course, we all know that a dog’s ear is different, but this peculiar L-shape that makes up a dog’s ear makes it more prone to infections. A human’s ears are not as vertical and therefore don’t allow much room for infections.
Because the ear is vertical, it is more likely to trap any debris inside that causes inflammation and other problems. This can include dirty water, mites, wax buildup, and other reasons that are more likely to build up in a dog’s ear.
Dog Ear Care Basics
We all want our furbabies to be happy and healthy, and that includes the quality of their ears. Unfortunately, ear infections are one of the most common ailments to dogs [1]. So keeping their ears clean is essential to a dog’s health.
There are two types of cleaning. One is deep cleaning and should only be done by a vet. This is when a dog’s ear is so filled with gunk that they need professional care. Ear wax can settle deep down into the canal, and it’s not safe to try and get that out by yourself. Instead, a vet will usually use a cloth or an ear swab to eliminate any excess wax. If not cleaned properly, it can lead to serious infections.
General cleaning is easy and requires only an ear cleaning solution. You can easily buy this at the store, or you could make your own right at home. It’s easy to make and doesn’t require any complex ingredients or instructions.
The first type of solution you can make at home uses simple white vinegar and distilled water. It needs to be perfectly balanced at 50/50 to avoid the overuse of vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar is also a good solution to use. Apple Cider vinegar is good for many things, and cleaning a dog’s ears is no exception. Of course, you don’t have to mix it with anything else either.
Coconut oil is also a good option to use for ear cleaning. Much like Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut oil is good for many things like hair growth, cleaning scratches, and cleaning dog ears. The perfect thing about it is that it is gentle and non-abrasive, so dogs with sensitive ears will really enjoy this. Also, since it is oily, it is perfect for dogs with dry skin on their ears.
Preventing Ear Infections
There are multiple reasons a dog’s ear may become infected. First, if any debris gets into the ear, it may cause some irritation. Second, if not cleaned out properly, then it could become infected and cause permanent damage to the dog’s ear.
Another more common reason for ear infections is allergies. Common causes are pollens during the spring and fall months, mold, mites, and even some types of food like beef, chicken, and soy.
If your dog has an infection, you will notice that he or she may tilt her head a lot, itch their ears more often, sensitivity, discharge, or inflammation. You may be able to catch these signs early on, and if so, then you must take action immediately before it turns into anything serious.
Cleaning Your Dogs Ear
General ear cleaning practices can help eliminate infections before they start. It’s effortless to do and won’t cost an arm and a leg unless the problem becomes a serious infection. You’ll have to take them to the vet immediately if you notice the problem becoming worse. If you notice your pup has any of the above infection symptoms, then it may be time to clean your dog’s ears.
There are a couple of options for cleaning your dog’s ear. Firstly, you can buy a pre-made solution from the store. These solutions are designed to be used for dog’s ears and are generally safe to use. However, if you want to save money, you can also create your own homemade solution that works just as well.
If you choose to make your own solution, then you will also need a cloth or cotton ball big enough to not accidentally drop into the inner ear, where it will cause more problems than a simple ear infection.
The rule for ear cleaning is about the same for humans as it is for dogs. First, you need to prevent going deep and only insert something the size of your finger into your dog’s ear. Then, please don’t push it down any further.
It’s a good idea to pour just a little bit of solution into the ear canal, so it penetrates deep where you won’t be able to reach. However, do not pour too much solution as too much can cause some irritation. In addition, your dog may feel a little discomfort during this procedure, especially if they’re not used to it, so expect some head shaking.
Take your solution and gently clean the flaps of your dog’s ear. You may need to refresh your cotton ball or cloth with a fresh solution. Work your way down near the center of the ear.
Depending on the breed, you should clean your dog’s ear at least once a week to once a month. Different breeds require different care. While any dog is prone to infections, some are more susceptible to it. Breeds such as Daschunds and Shih Tzu’s are more likely to get ear infections, usually due to the hairy ears that promote debris and infections to form inside the ears. Water is also a cause of ear infections, especially if your dog likes to swim in dirty water like lakes.
What Do Your Dogs Need for an Infection?
Every dog comes with different ears. An ear for a Labrador won’t need the same amount of care that a Basset Hound would with those long droopy ears dragging all the way to the floor. Nonetheless, cleaning the ears is easy.
If your dog has a serious infection, then you should always take it to the vet first and foremost to diagnose the problem. Most of the time, the vet will offer some antibiotics or steroids, and while these solutions are necessary for a quick recovery, you may still want to help keep the infection down. You can do this by properly cleaning your dog’s ear.
You’ll be able to find most products for dog ears sold at your local pet store. They usually come with their own solution for your pup’s ears, but sometimes it may be easier to make something yourself. For example, you may want to save some time and money with a do-it-yourself homemade dog ear cleaner that is completely safe. Thankfully, there is a way to do that.
For serious infections, you should use some apple cider vinegar. That’s it. No complicated recipe is needed. Apple cider vinegar is used for a lot of things. The properties of Apple Cider Vinegar can even use it to clean infections of people. It is safe to ingest and is essentially a cure-all that has multiple benefits for both people and animals. For your dog’s ear, clean it out thoroughly with a clean washcloth steeped in apple cider vinegar. Don’t go too deep, or you could risk damaging your dog’s ear permanently. Always make sure you are gentle with this process.
Overall
Your pup’s ears need regular cleaning to help prevent infections. It is an essential part of grooming that shouldn’t be overlooked, and it’s easy to do so you don’t have to worry about hurting your dog. Only a few minutes a week is needed to ensure your dog is taken care of.
There are many types of solutions to use that are sold in stores, but the cheapest options are the ones you make at home with some basic ingredients like vinegar and water. You can use most of these ingredients for other important things, so you’re very likely to have them in your house already.
Always be gentle with your dog’s ears when cleaning them. Also, be aware of what your breed needs since some are more prone to ear infections and need to be taken care of more often. Once you have a routine set, your pup’s health will definitely improve.
FAQ
What homemade solution can I use to clean my dog’s ears?
A 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar is a great homemade option. You will also need a cloth or a cotton ball. It would be best if you never used anything smaller than your finger to clean your dog’s ear, or you risk permanent damage to their ear. Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar are also good choices.
What can I use to clean my dog’s ears?
Use an over-the-counter ear cleaner or normal saline solution. If you’re feeling adventurous, then you can make your own homebrew with just a few simple ingredients of white vinegar and distilled water. If there are any serious infections, then you can try apple cider vinegar to help clean out his or her ears. We recommend you see a vet if the latter occurs.
How do you make a homemade ear cleaning solution?
Making a DIY dog ear cleaning solution is easy. All you need is vinegar and water to make a safe ear cleaning solution for your dog’s ears. The vinegar/water solution must be 50/50 to prevent any unnecessary irritation. In addition, the vinegar will kill any harmful bacteria in the dog’s ear without being too harsh for sensitive skin.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean a dog’s ears?
No. While hydrogen peroxide may be useful for cleaning wounds on humans, don’t ever use it in your dog’s ears. A dog’s ears are made of soft tissue that will easily be irritated by this common household chemical. Considerable use of the product can cause redness, itchiness, rash, and eventually permanent damage to your pup’s ear.
