Just like humans need to keep their ears clean, dogs also need to have their ears cleaned periodically. Indeed, you should clean a dog’s ears because these animals are more susceptible to diseases such as infections and itching.
You might ask yourself why cleaning a dog’s ears is necessary and why they can’t clean them themselves like we do. The answer to this query is simple! The structure of a dog’s ear is different from that of humans, and because of this difference, earwax and domestic pollutants can remain trapped in their ear canal and not come out.
Consequently, our dogs may become infected with ear infections. Furthermore, certain breeds are more prone to infections than others, which emphasizes the importance of ear hygiene for them. Some of these care and hygiene services are more effectively conducted by a veterinary clinic in Dubai.
Considering that the Cost of dog training in Dubai is also affordable, nonetheless, In this topic, we intend to provide you with the best method to clean a dog’s ears so that you can easily perform this task at home.
Two main types of cleaning a dog’s ears:
The most important point in cleaning is to determine what type of cleaning your dog needs. There are two main methods: cleaning the external ear and cleaning the ear canal. Each method has specific details that should be followed.
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Cleaning the external ear:
First and foremost, it should be emphasized that you should never use cotton swabs or alcohol to clean a dog’s ears. Using cotton swabs can push dirt further into the ear canal and cause harm to the ear. Alcohol can be irritating and sensitive to your pet.
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Cleaning the ear canal:
This method should only be performed under the guidance of a veterinarian. It is necessary when the entire ear of your dog is filled with dirt.
9 Easy Steps to clean a dog’s ears
To clean a dog’s ears, follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: It’s highly likely that your dog will not enjoy the ear-cleaning process. Hence, it’s best to have the necessary items (an appropriate ear-cleaning solution, cotton balls, treats for rewarding the animal) nearby. This will help make the cleaning process faster.
Step 2: Sit on the ground and place your dog on your lap. If the dog belongs to a large breed, stand in front of a corner of the room.
Step 3: Gently elevate one of the dog’s ears upward to expose the ear canal. Be careful not to cause any pain, but also ensure that the dog cannot extricate its ear out of your hand.
Step 4: With a gentle squeeze of the bottle, pour an adequate amount of the cleaning solution into the ear, filling the ear canal completely. Make sure the bottle’s nozzle does not come into direct contact with the dog’s ear. If it does, sterilize it with a sanitary cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to prevent the transmission of bacteria or fungus from the dog’s ear to other areas.
Step 5: With one hand holding the lifted ear, use your other hand to delicately massage the lower part, specifically the area below the ear opening, for about 30 seconds. This will help dislodge any accumulated debris within the ear canal. If you pay attention, you’ll perceive the movement of the solution within the horizontal part of the ear canal.
Step 6: While still holding the ear up, use a clean cotton ball to clean the inner part of the ear flap and the front part of the ear canal. Be gentle during this process. Subsequently, allow your dog to shake its head to remove any residual solution and debris from the ear canal, so you can clean it.
Step 7: Once again, hold the lifted ear upward and clean the entire area using a cotton ball, reaching as far as your fingertip allows.
Step 8: Encourage and reward your dog with a treat as a means of expressing gratitude.
Step 9: Repeat all the above steps for the other ear.
End word
Ear cleaning for dogs is necessary when there is a significant accumulation of grime and debris that cannot be easily cleaned or is affecting the dog’s hearing. However, the task of cleaning a dog’s ears should only be performed by a veterinarian. You might wonder where a dog training near me is located. We recommend a specialized dog clinic in Dubai where our experts are ready to answer your questions.