At some point in your pet’s life, they will likely need their ears cleaned. If your pet is an allergy sufferer, they may need their ears cleaned at least once a week to stave off allergy-related ear infections. Our team here at City Park Vet has put together this simple guide to help you care for your furry friend’s ears.
Step 1: Gather your pet’s ear cleaning equipment
Some pets require medicated ear cleaner, but if your four-legged friend’s ears are only a little dirty and need a simple wiping out to freshen them up, a regular ear cleaner is fine. Have on hand cotton balls, gauze, and long-stemmed Q-tips to help remove debris.
Step 2: Have your pet sit in a corner or a family member hold them
Pets can get a bit squirrely when they see a bottle of ear cleaner, so enlist a family member’s help, or corner your pet to hold them still.
Step 3: Acclimate your pet to the ear cleaner solution
Rather than dumping the ear cleaner from the bottle into your pet’s ear, gently introduce them to ear cleaning by squirting a little on a cotton ball, and wiping out their ear with the damp cotton. However, pets who are predisposed to ear infections will likely need a deeper flush, which requires a squirt or two of ear cleaner deep in the canal.
Step 4: Massage the ear cleaner into your pet’s ear to break up debris
After applying the ear cleaner—either by leaving the soaked cotton ball in the ear, or by flushing—massage the ear base to break up debris. This helps move the cleaning fluid deeper in the ear canal for hard-to-reach debris.
Step 5: Wipe out the cleaner and the debris
Using your cotton balls, gauze, and Q-tips, remove all traces of debris from your pet’s ears. The cotton balls and gauze wrapped around your finger work well to reach deeper in the ear canal, and the Q-tips can clean out the folds in the ear flap.
Step 6: Reward your pet
Reward your pet for a job well done throughout the ear cleaning process, and when you’re finished! Next time, they’ll look forward to their ear cleaning.
If your pet’s ears seem particularly sensitive, red, inflamed, or full of a waxy build-up or discharge, we’re here to help. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.