Cleaning dog ears – this is how to care for your dog’s ears

Dogs also have five senses that they rely on in everyday life. In addition to the sense of smell, hearing is one of the most important and therefore indispensable for our four-legged friends. Did you know that dogs can detect sounds that are 20 times quieter than the quietest sounds humans can hear? In order for their ears to perform this feat, it is essential to clean dog ears regularly. Like ours, a dog's body produces earwax, which can become a problem if overproduced. Dirt or small foreign bodies also affect hearing.

In this article you will find out how you can clean dog ears efficiently, why this is so important and how you can prevent problems.

Wonderful dog ear – that’s what dog ears can do!

Sight, smell, touch and taste – these senses are extremely well developed in dogs. But hearing surpasses this by a lot. Our four-legged friends are able to perceive frequencies of up to 60.000 Hz. For comparison: people hear frequencies of up to a maximum of 20.000 Hz. They can also recognize within tenths of a second where a noise originates. 17 different muscles are used to achieve this, ensuring remarkable mobility. And even at great distances, hearing quiet sounds is no problem.

Why clean dogs ears?

To ensure that the “wonderful dog ear” functions smoothly, cleaning the dog’s ears is very important. Dog ears are very sensitive. Bacteria, yeast or mites often have an easy time if a dog's ear is not cleaned regularly. In addition, dirt, pollen and dust quickly accumulate here, which can sometimes penetrate deep into the ear. This provides the ideal basis for painful inflammation. By cleaning your dog's ears, you reduce the risk of such problems putting a strain on your dog's everyday life.

Some four-legged friends produce excessive earwax, which quickly accumulates in the ear. If this earwax is not removed, a plug can form, which significantly reduces hearing performance and can lead to infections. Since you also check the ear when cleaning your dog's ears, you can recognize signs such as redness, swelling, unpleasant odors or abnormal secretion in good time before more serious consequences arise.

And not to be underestimated: ear mites are a common problem in dogs. They cause severe itching and inflammation. Regular cleaning of dog ears allows for earlier detection of an infestation so that effective treatment can be initiated.

How does earwax develop in dogs?

Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a natural secretion that is produced in the ear canal of mammals, including dogs. It is caused by glands in the ear that produce a type of oil that mixes with dead skin cells and other particles in the ear. This secretion is not formed for no reason, but rather takes on some important functions. It serves as a protective barrier by blocking dust, dirt, and foreign objects from reaching deeper into the ear. It is also antibacterial and antifungal, which helps prevent ear infections. In addition, earwax keeps the ear canal moist and prevents it from drying out and cracking.

Normally, the ear wax is removed by the movements of the ears and the chewing muscles in cooperation with the ear hair, which has a self-cleaning effect. Sometimes a dog's ear produces too much earwax. Causes can be allergies, inflammation, infections or anatomical peculiarities. Breeds with droopy ears, such as bassets or cocker spaniels, are often more prone to ear problems because their ears are less well ventilated, resulting in a more humid environment, increasing the risk of infections.

If this is the case with your four-legged friend, you should regularly remove your dog's earwax. In normal production this is usually not necessary.

How to clean dogs ears?

One thing first about cleaning dog ears: Cotton swabs are also not suitable as “ear cleaners” for dogs. With them, you push the earwax even deeper into the hearing, as with us humans, which in the worst case can lead to inflammation. In addition, the plant parts usually have small barbs that can even cause minimal injuries to the ear canal.

But how can dogs' ears be cleaned? When cleaning your dog's ears, it is important to be particularly careful and use the right material. This is the only way to avoid injury or irritation.

You should have this ready:

• a special ear cleaning solution for dogs, which you can get from pet stores or the vet
• Cotton pads or soft gauze cloths
• optional gloves
• a towel

Here's how to clean your dog's ears:

1. Step: Preparation

Have all the materials you need ready and sit or lay your dog in a quiet position. You may want to have a second person help you. This makes sense especially for very restless dogs.

2. Step: Apply ear solution

Hold the bottle of ear cleaning solution at your dog's head level and drip the solution into the ear canal according to the instructions. A few drops are usually recommended.

3. Step: Massaging the ear

Massage the area where the head meets the ear for about 20-30 seconds. You should hear a “smacking” sound as the solution moves in your ear.

4. Step: Let it shake

After the massage, your dog will probably want to shake his head. This is good because it supports the process of removing dissolved contaminants and the excess solution from the ear.

5. Step: Cleaning the auricle

Now take the cotton pads or a soft cloth and carefully clean the inner area of ​​the auricle and the visible part of the ear canal. Don't go too deep into the ear canal.

6. Step: Time for a treat

Has your dog mastered ear cleaning well? Then praise and the obligatory treat should not be missing.

Repeat the steps for the other ear if necessary.

A few more tips for cleaning dog ears:

• Do not use alcohol-based solutions as they can irritate the ear.
• If you notice signs of infection such as redness, swelling, unpleasant odor, or excessive secretion, consult your veterinarian.
• To avoid disturbing the natural balance of the dog's ears, do not carry out such basic cleaning too often. Every few weeks or as needed is enough, especially if you use our gentle ear cleaner.

If you are unsure about cleaning dog ears, please always consult your veterinarian. In these cases, contact your veterinarian immediately:

• excessive earwax, purulent discharge, or bloody discharge
• a strong, unusual smell from the ears
• Redness and swelling
• excessive scratching, rubbing, or shaking of the head
• Loss of appetite or lethargic behavior
• obvious hearing problems
• Balance problems
• small black or brown dots (ear mites)

How can I keep my dog's ears clean?

When cleaning dog ears, you should always remember that the aim is not to eliminate earwax with its important functions, but only to prevent excessive accumulation and keep the ear clean and healthy.

Regular checking of the ears creates the basis. After your dog has had a bath, dry his ears well to prevent moisture. If he runs around in the forest and meadows, check for foreign bodies such as seeds or other particles. Make sure you eat a balanced diet that keeps all body functions in balance. Take advantage of check-ups offered by your veterinarian. The gentle ear cleaner is also particularly efficient GOOD LISTENER from our assortment.

The great thing is that it is made from completely natural ingredients such as chamomile, calendula and witch hazel and is therefore suitable for daily, mild cleaning. The plant extracts not only ensure gentle cleansing, but also have nourishing properties. This means you have to clean the dog's ears in a large-scale operation much less often.

Are you looking for more exciting content? In our blog you will find detailed articles on topics such as: 

vitamins for dogs, bad breath in dogs, Omega 3 for dogs and St. John's wort for dogs 

You will also find out why dietary supplements for dogs could make sense and what you can do with it Arthrose and Diarrhoea can do for your furry friend!