How To Clean Dogs Ears

When it comes to knowing how to clean a dogs ears, remember that man's best friend needs a little. A part of caring for your canine friend is knowing how to clean dog's ears safely. Unfortunately, cleaning Fido's ears isn't something that your average dog owner puts a lot of thought or time into until health concerns shine a light on the issue. To prevent future ear related problems, the steps to cleaning your dog's ears are simple and easy to follow.

To clean your dog's ears, you will need:

• Cotton ball.
• Mineral oil.
• Ear cleaning solution for canines.
• gloves

1. Inspect his ears. Before you get started cleaning your dog's ears, it's important to take a moment to do an inspection. Take your pet to the vet if you notice abrasions, inflammation or anything else that has the potential to be worsened by cleansing. If you've noticed that your pet has been scratching his ears, excessively shaking his head or if there is a strong offensive odor coming from the ears, a trip to the vet can rule out ear mites or other problematic issues.
2. Get prepared. Once you've decided that it's safe to proceed, you'll want to be prepared prior to starting. If this is the first time that you've attempted to clean the dog's ears, you'll want to have everything on hand before focusing on your pet and giving him the attention he'll need. Wash your hands before starting or if you prefer put on gloves.
3. Clean the ear flap first. Moisten a cotton ball with the water or mineral oil. If your pet has floppy ears, you'll want to lift them and clean the outer flaps with the moistened ball. Wipe gently and discard the soiled ball when finished. Repeat if necessary.
4. Clean the inner ear. Moisten a clean cotton ball with the canine ear cleaning solution. Use this to very gently wipe the creases and crevices clean of dirt and wax. Don't be overly aggressive or probe deeply into the canal as this has the potential to cause harm to your pet's ears. Leave the cleaning of areas that are not easily visible to a vet.

Now that you've learned how to clean dogs ears, it's just a matter of practice and patience for both you and your pet. By making ear cleaning a part of a regular routine between you and your dog, you will reduce the risk of infections and have a healthier and happier best friend.

Tips and Warnings:

1. Allow your dog to shake his head to remove any excess cleaner or moisture. This will help to prevent infection especially in dogs with long ears like Beagles for example.
2. Give positive reinforcement when you're finished. A dog treat or pat on the head will give your pet something positive to associate with the experience when the next ear cleaning comes around.
3. Never clean deep into the ear and risk injury. If you can't easily see it, let the vet clean it.

References:

http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/may_jun_2001/how_to_clean_-dogs_ears.html