How to Clean Your Pet's Ears Safely
Regular ear cleaning is essential for your pet's health and comfort. We hope this simple guide will help you clean your pet's ears safely:
1. Gather Your Supplies
Ear Cleaner: Use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution.
TrizEDTA Aqueous Flush
Non-stinging formula, making it gentle on sensitive ears.
Ideal for inflamed or ulcerated ears.
Safe for ruptured eardrums.
Effective for Pseudomonas infections.
MalAcetic Otic Cleaner
Great for preventing yeast infections in dogs prone to them.
Helps with greasy, waxy, or moist ears by cleansing and drying.
May be irritating in severely inflamed or ulcerated ears, so avoid in these cases.
Epiklean
Designed for maintenance of healthy ears.
Helpful for moist ears thanks to its gentle drying agent.
Suitable for routine ear care to keep ears clean and comfortable.
Cotton Balls or Pads: Can use cotton swabs for cleaning out cartilage grooves.
Towel: To keep your pet steady and clean up any mess.
2. Prepare Your Pet
Create a Calm Environment: Choose a quiet space and keep your pet relaxed.
Restraint: Gently hold your pet or have someone help you if needed.
3. Apply the Ear Cleaner
Lift the Ear Flap: Hold your pet’s ear flap upright and carefully squeeze the ear cleaner into the ear canal until it begins to pool.
Massage the Base: Gently massage the base of the ear to loosen debris and wax. You should hear a soft squishing sound—this means the solution is working.
4. Clean the Ear
Wipe Away Debris: Let your pet shake their head, then use a cotton ball or pad to remove any visible dirt or wax from the ear flap and outer ear canal.
Repeat if Necessary: If your pet's ears are very dirty, you may need to repeat the process.
5. Check for Signs of Infection
Check your pet’s ears regularly and look for:
Redness
Odor
Unusual discharge
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian, as they may indicate an ear infection or another underlying issue.
Tip: If discharge persists or builds up over the next day or two, this is a strong sign of an ear infection and warrants veterinary attention.
Chronic or recurrent ear infections may indicate an underlying condition, such as:
Allergies – to food or environmental factors
Hormonal diseases – like Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism
Anatomical abnormalities – for example:
Thickened ear canals due to chronic inflammation
Narrow ear canals, as seen in breeds like Shar Peis
6. Reward Your Pet
Give Treats and Praise: Reward your pet with treats and praise to create a positive association with ear cleaning.
Important Tips
Frequency: Clean your pet's ears as recommended by your vet, usually once a month or as needed.
Avoid Over-Cleaning: Over-cleaning can irritate your pet's ears, so only clean them when necessary.
Consult Your Vet: Always consult your vet before using any new ear-cleaning product.
Regular ear cleaning can help prevent infections and keep your pet comfortable. Remember, if you're unsure about how to clean your pet's ears or if they have chronic ear issues, please give us a call to book an appointment with one of our team.
A Little Squish, A Little Swish: Ear Cleaning 101 Video
