Cleaning Dogs Ears

"Learn How To Keep Cocker Spaniel Ears Clean"

Cleaning dogs ears regularly is really important if your dog's ears are to stay healthy and free from infection and disease. For your convenience, we've listed below all the tools you'll need to do the job.

Essentials To Keep Your Dog's Ears Clean

Before you begin cleaning your pet's ears, make sure you have the following close to hand:

• cotton wool balls;
• cotton buds;
• a pair of blunt tweezers or a haemostat;
• blunt-ended scissors;
• a good ear cleaning solution;
• medicated ear powder.

Please note, some ear cleaning solutions can be drying to the ear - either use a product you trust, or ask your vet to recommend a product to you.

Cleaning Dogs Ears

During his lifetime, your Cocker Spaniel's ears may be prone to ear infections so it's important to ensure you keep them scrupulously clean. To help you do this, we've set out below all you need to know about cleaning dog ears.

Step 1

It's important when cleaning dogs ears to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring bacteria from your hands to your dog's ears.

Step 2

Inspect the inside of the ear; it should be clean and pink, with no discharge and no smell.

Step 3

Removing excess hair from your dog's ears can help with air flow, thus reducing moisture levels. See instructions below for removing excess hair.

Step 4

Apply ear-cleaning solution to a cotton wool ball and squeeze out any excess.

Step 5

Gently rub the inside of your dog's ears to remove any wax or dirt, working from the inside of the ear out towards the outside edge.

Step 6

Apply ear-wash solution to a cotton bud and gently clean the folded parts of the ears. Do not push the cotton bud into your dogs ear canal as this can seriously damage his ear drum.

Step 7

Use a dry cotton wool ball to remove any residual ear-wash solution and medicated powder. When cleaning dogs ears, never re-use a cotton wool ball or bud in your dog's other ear; discard after use to avoid cross infection.

Talk quietly to your dog during the process to help keep him calm and reassured. When you've finished cleaning his ears praise him and give him a treat.

Removing Excess Hair From Your Dog's Ears

Excess hair just inside the ear opening may be removed by gripping the hair between your thumb and index finger and pulling gently.

Alternatively, you can use tweezers or a haemostat.

Remove a few hairs at a time and always pull in the direction of hair growth.

It's important that you don't work any further into your dog's ear than about half an inch (12.5mm) as their ears can be quite sensitive, and easily damaged.

If medicated powder is sprayed inside the ear, it will absorb any moisture and wax and will give you a better grip on the hair.

Keep the hair on the lower part of your dog's ears (just outside the ear canal) neatly trimmed in a semi-circular shape.

If you don't feel too confident about removing excess hair from your dog's ears, don't worry, your dog groomer will be able to do it for you.

As outlined above, cleaning dogs ears will help to keep your precious dog's ears healthy; free from mites, bacteria, yeast, and viruses, which otherwise could lead to serious infection, and misery for your dog.

Learn about dog ear infections here.

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