How to Safely Clean Your Dog’s Ears

This quick guide to dog ear cleaning will tell you everything you need to know to keep your pup’s ears clean, healthy, infection-free, and functioning optimally!

As dog parents, we know we must clean our dog’s ears to keep them healthy. But how often should you do it? What tools do you need? What’s the best way to clean a dog’s ears? Don’t worry: we’ll tell you everything you need to know!

Getting Started: Know What Healthy Dog Ears Look Like

When a dog’s ears are healthy, they will be slightly pink, feel normal to the touch, and have no odor. By contrast, an unhealthy ear may appear red, feel overly warm, and could even smell like Frito chips! At this point, your dog’s ears need to be cleaned. However, you may need to schedule a veterinary visit if your dog is in pain or scratching a lot.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

A good rule of thumb is to clean your dog’s ears once per month. Cleaning too often can lead to irritation and inflammation, making your dog’s ear vulnerable to infection.

However, some pups may need more frequent cleaning. These include dogs with long, floppy ears, such as Basset Hounds, Spaniels, Beagles, Dachshunds, Bloodhounds, and other Hounds. These pups’ ears have a diminished airflow that makes them ripe for infection.

Similarly, dogs who spend lots of time in the water will need more frequent cleanings—and make sure to dry their ears when they get out of the water!

Tools You’ll Need for Ear Cleaning

Treats
Clean, dry towels
A familiar setting
Cotton balls/sterile gauze
Ear rinse/ear cleaner/ear wash for dogs

Avoid using any cleaners that contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These can irritate or burn your dog’s ears. Sensitive ear tissue needs a gentle solution. Banixx Pet Care is the ideal ear wash (ear rinse). It has no sting, no scent (to scare your pup), and no steroids!

Cotton balls or gauze can be used to clean your dog’s outer ear. However, never insert cotton swabs directly into your dog’s ear canal. This can cause hearing damage and pain.

How to Clean a Dog’s Ears

1. Moisten a cotton ball/gauze with the cleaning solution and gently press against your dog’s ear. Don’t force it in. Gently massage the cotton/gauze against the ear tissue so that the tissue gets coated with Banixx. Banixx is potent yet gentle and works on contact.

Tell your pup how great they are!

3. As long as your dog is still calm, remove the cotton/gauze and re-moisten it. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to saturate the inside of your dog’s ear. Banixx’s unique formula completely inhibits any fungal, yeast, and bacterial growth.