Cleaning a dog's dirty ears properly

A dog's ears are important and sensitive sensory organs. Cleaning your dog's ears helps to maintain their general health and well-being and to detect potential problems at an early stage. It can also strengthen the relationship between dog and human. Find out how to clean your dog's ears and why it is necessary in this article.

Content

• Why should I clean my dog's ears?
• Anatomy of the dog ear
• How often should I clean my dog's ears?
• Step-by-step instructions for ear cleaning
• Home remedies for cleaning your dog's ears
• Preventive measures against ear problems
• Ear problems in dogs
• When is a visit to the vet necessary?
• Conclusion

Why should I clean my dog's ears?

The dog's ear generally has functioning self-cleaning mechanisms. The sebaceous and sweat glands of the external auditory canal produce earwax to remove dirt particles, dead skin cells and hair. The protective hairs also ensure the health of the sensitive sensory organs.

However, dogs' ears have changed considerably over the course of evolution. Today there are many different ear shapes. As a result, the self-cleaning mechanisms are no longer sufficient. Cleaning your dog's ears therefore helps to remove excess wax, dirt and deposits that accumulate in the ear canals. For this reason, your dog should be accustomed to touching, cleaning and checking its ears from puppyhood.

Should dogs' ears be cleaned? 

Yes, this can prevent infections, inflammation, parasites and bad odors. Dog parents should therefore regularly clean the auricle and ear canal.

Anatomy of the dog ear

The dog's ear is very well developed by nature. This is necessary because hearing is the dog's most important sensory organ. 17 ear muscles enable dogs to hear in three dimensions. This enables them to scan their environment auditorily and turn their ears separately.

In addition, dogs can hear sounds in a frequency range of 15-60,000 hertz. This range includes sounds in the ultrasonic range, such as the squeaking of mice or the cry of a bat. Just for comparison: for us humans, the range is between 20-20,000 hertz. (Source: GEERS)

The different parts of the ear and their functions

The dog receives sound waves and vibrations with its ear. These sounds and noises are then transmitted to the brain in the form of impulses. After being compared with the information from the other sensory organs, the dog's behavior is then influenced. The dog's ear consists of the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.

The outer ear

The outer ear consists of the pinna, the external auditory canal and the eardrum. Sound waves are transmitted to the eardrum via the outer ear through the external auditory canal. The shape of the auricle is differentiated according to breed as follows:

• Short stand-up ears
• Long prick ears
• Bat ears
• Tilt ears
• Rose ears
• Floppy drooping ears
• Extra long drooping ears

Earwax is formed in the outer ear canal, which plays an important role in the self-cleaning of the dog's ear. As a membranous membrane, the eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

The middle ear

The middle ear contains the auditory ossicles, i.e. the malleus, incus and stapes. The middle ear itself is a cavity filled with air and lined with mucus. As it is connected to the pharynx via the Eustachian tube, it performs the function of pressure equalization.

The inner ear

The inner ear contains the auditory organ, a membranous labyrinth filled with lymph fluid. This transports the sound waves to the auditory cells. Converted into electrical impulses, they are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve.

The organ of balance, which transmits information about movement and body position to the brain, is also located in the inner ear. (Source: Petdoctors.at)

Why are certain dog breeds more prone to ear problems?

Dog breeds with strongly overhanging and kinked ears are particularly susceptible to ear problems. Their natural ventilation functions poorly. If the ears are very hairy, the hair can block the ear canal. Kinked ears, on the other hand, usually have an ear canal that is too narrow, in which dirt and pathogens can easily accumulate. This creates a moist, warm climate, which is the ideal environment for germs, fungi and bacteria.

How often should I clean my dog's ears?

For healthy dog ears, cleaning the pinna and ear canal 1-2 times a week is completely sufficient. Depending on the breed, age, general state of health and the dog's environment, the frequency can be adjusted individually.

Step-by-step instructions for ear cleaning

Now you know why you should clean your dog's ears. But what is the best way to go about it?

Step 1: Examining the ear for signs of infection or injury

A healthy dog's ear is clean, free of odors and has a pink coloration and only a minimal accumulation of earwax. There are also no wounds, thickening or swelling.

Ear checks are important in order to be able to react early to signs of illness. Long-haired dogs with bent and drooping ears in particular should be checked for foreign bodies in or on the ear after every walk.

Step 2: Choosing the right cleaning agent

Dog ears are very sensitive. This makes it all the more important to choose the right cleaning agent. When cleaning the ear canal, it is important to use mild ear cleaning products that have been specially developed for dogs . Ear cleaners in liquid form are particularly suitable here, as they are best without a tip and are therefore particularly safe to use. Human products are too strong for dogs' sensitive ears and should therefore not be used.

Special ear cleaning pads are also recommended. special ear cleaning pads should also be used by dog parents to clean the auricle. Thanks to high-quality ingredients, such as aloe vera gel, your dog's auricles are additionally cared for.

What is the best ear cleaner for dogs?

The best ear cleaner for the care and hygiene of the ear canal is the Canosept ear cleaner. This not only removes dirt and earwax, but also gently cleans the lower sections of the ear canal.
For the outer ear, we recommend using the directly insertable and specially shaped Canosept Ear Care Finger Pads.

Step 3: Preparing the cleaning agent

The ear cleaner should be lukewarm. For the application of the Canosept Ear Cleaner there are no further preparations.

After application, the dog will shake to get rid of the loosened dirt and excess product. Dog parents should therefore ensure a suitable environment.

In addition and before using the ear cleaner, you can remove coarse dirt from the outer ear canal for optimum effect. We recommend using Canosept Ear Care Finger Pads. Thanks to the specially developed finger pads, dog parents can intuitively follow the shape and movement of the dog's ear when cleaning.

Step 4: Application of the cleaning agent

The ear cleaner is carefully dripped into the ear until a liquid level is visible. For dogs with floppy or kinked ears, simply hold the tip of the ear up. It is important to ensure that the ear cleaner does not get into the eyes.

Matching videos with application tips

Step 5: Massaging the ear

Carefully knead and massage the liquid into the dog's ear from the outside. This is the only way to loosen all dirt particles.

The ear massage also offers two other benefits. Firstly, it strengthens the dog-human relationship. And secondly, it also has a relaxing effect on dogs. This is due to the vagus nerve, which neurologically serves a large part of the middle section of the dog's ear. Stimulating this nerve has a calming effect on dogs.

Step 6: Removing dirt and fluid from the ear

After cleaning, dirt, wax and fluid may have accumulated in the pinna. This can be quickly removed with a damp cotton pad or the Canosept Ear Care Finger Pads quickly removed.

A soft towel can be used to dry the outside of the ears after cleaning.

Step 7: Rewarding your dog for behavior during cleaning

Reward your dog after cleaning his ears to make the experience a positive one. For example, an extensive round of play or the occasional favorite treat are suitable for this.

Home remedies for cleaning your dog's ears

There are some household remedies that are used time and time again. But are they suitable or should dog parents stay away from them?

Cotton buds

The use of cotton buds to clean a dog's ear is clearly not recommended. As with humans, they often only push the earwax into the ear canal, where it then gets stuck. There is also too great a risk of the absorbent cotton head becoming detached and blocking the ear canal.

Camomile tea & apple cider vinegar

Tinctures made from chamomile tea or apple cider vinegar are said to dissolve earwax in the ear canal. Apple cider vinegar is even said to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, in order to achieve these effects, the ideal mixing ratio is required. Veterinarian Prof. Dr. Norbert Mencke therefore advises against using it. The risk is too high that the mixing ratio is not right for the sensitive sensory organ.

Oils

Baby oil, olive oil, coconut oil, walnut oil, almond oil - we could probably go on and on with the list of oils that seem to be suitable for cleaning the ear canal and pinna. For some dog parents, these also seem to work.

However, it is important to play it safe, especially with sensitive dog ears. It is therefore better for dog parents to use products that have been specially developed for their dog's needs.

Preventive measures against ear problems

In addition to proper care and cleaning of the dog's ear, there are other preventative measures against ear problems.

Proper nutrition for ear health

A poor diet can make it easier for a dog to develop an ear infection. This is because the intestines have a major influence on a dog's health. If the intestinal flora is out of balance, e.g. due to an incorrect diet, the natural protective mechanisms of the dog's ear can be disrupted.

Dog parents should therefore ensure that their dog has a balanced diet. This depends on the right mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, trace elements and vitamins (Source: VDH).

Protecting your dog's ears during bathing and swimming

Regardless of the body of water, many dogs enjoy bathing and swimming. After romping and playing in the water, the dog's ears should always be checked for debris and injuries and dried thoroughly. This is because moisture in the ear can lead to infections (source: Veterinary Medicine Portal).

Ear problems in dogs

Ear problems in dogs are not to be trifled with. The risk of untreated infection or parasite infestation causing long-term hearing damage is too great.

Signs and symptoms of ear problems

• Unpleasant odor
• Redness or swelling
• Accumulation of dark brown earwax
• Black or yellowish soiling
• Noticeable scratching or rubbing
• Sensitivity to pain when touched
• Frequent shaking of the head to one side
• Unusual behavior such as apathy or depression and apathy
• Hearing loss, balance disorders, disorientation

Why is earwax black in dogs?

If dog parents discover black dirt in their dog's ear, this can be a sign of ear mites. The color can vary between dark brown and black.

How do I recognize mites in a dog's ear?

The first sign of ear mites is frequent scratching of the ears and shaking of the head. This is due to the skin irritation and inflammatory reaction caused by a mite infestation.

When is a visit to the vet necessary?

A visit to the vet should be made immediately as soon as dog parents have noticed signs or symptoms of ear problems, such as expressions of pain and defensiveness when the ears are touched and frequent, intense head shaking.

What the vet will do when examining your dog's ears

If there are signs of ear problems, the vet will examine the ears with an otoscope. A swab or sample is often taken afterwards. It is necessary to determine the exact cause so that the correct treatment can be carried out. (Source: Claßen, J. & Müller, R. (2017) Otitis externa Kleintierpraxis 62)

But how high are the veterinary costs in this case? The detailed examination of the individual organs, including the ear, nose and throat area, is charged for in the scale of fees for veterinarians (GOT) (Source: Bundestierärztekammer e.V.).

Treatment options that the vet can recommend

The treatment options are as varied as the ear problems themselves. For this reason, it is necessary to discuss the individual treatment with your vet.

8 precautionary tips on how you can avoid fee regulation for veterinarians can save money.

Conclusion

• To prevent infections, inflammation, parasites and bad odors, you should clean your dog's ears 1-2 times a week.
• Check the ears daily for dirt, odors, discoloration and increased earwax. Also look out for wounds, thickening or swelling.
• When choosing a cleaning agent, you should bear in mind that the dog's ear is a sensitive sensory organ. For this reason, specially formulated products, e.g. the Canosept ear cleaner for the ear canal and Canosept Ear Care Finger Pads for the auricle.
• Never use a cotton bud to clean the dog's ear.
• Proper cleaning and care as well as a balanced diet can prevent ear problems.
• As soon as signs and symptoms of ear problems occur, the vet should be consulted. This is the only way to get the right treatment.

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