How and what to clean your dog's ears at home

How to teach your pet hygiene

The success of various manipulations to care for the ears of your four-legged friend depends entirely on the correct training of the dog for such procedures. A caring owner must remember this and start raising his pet as early as possible.

Accustomed to grooming (full necessary care for the pet, carrying out all hygienic manipulations to maintain health and a beautiful appearance), the dog is less nervous, spins around and tries to escape, and sometimes even bite the owner while cleaning the ears. This makes the care procedure more comfortable, safe and quick for both the pet and the owner.

Even from puppyhood, you need to make it clear to the pet that the owner will never cause harm. You need to become an authority and a kind patron for the dog. To gain trust, you need to come from afar - first touch the ears, rake the fur, lightly press on the ears and the skin around them, but so as not to cause pain. Show the puppy all the tools that will be used in grooming and let him sniff them.

External examination of the dog's ear

You definitely need to speak in a gentle tone, encourage and praise your pet. It is useful to stock up on treats and, after feeling and examining the dog, reward it for good behavior.

If the puppy is worried, you cannot forcibly hold him down or scold him. It is better to let him go so that he understands that he can leave and come freely, but it is important to feel the line where freedom ends and arbitrariness begins.

That is, it is important to make it clear that no one will offend the puppy or force him to do unpleasant things, but he, in turn, is obliged to obey and perceive any actions of the owner as necessary. Only after reaching mutual understanding and complete trust can you begin further more serious actions, such as brushing your teeth, cutting your hair (for some breeds), washing your eyes, and washing your nose.

An important point: if necessary, you can accustom an adult or even an elderly dog ​​to grooming. It will be a little more difficult, but it is quite possible to achieve excellent results.
It is important to take into account the nature of the pet’s breed, show patience and perseverance.

How to put ears on a spitz?

Many dog ​​owners are wondering: how to put ears on a Spitz?

There can be many reasons why a Spitz's ears don't stand up. Forum users say that this is greatly influenced by heredity. That is, if mom and dad had recumbent ears, then the baby may have the same ears. You shouldn’t worry about why your Spitz doesn’t have ears if the puppy is still very small. It is impossible to say exactly when a Spitz's ears stand up. Over time, as they grow older, the ears can stand up on their own without any intervention from the owners. But don’t despair, in any case you can try to glue the ears.

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Where to start at home

Before any procedure with the ears, you must first examine them and assess their condition. If the inside of the ear is pink and clean, the ear canals are free, dry, the ears are warm, without wounds or other damage, there is no need to touch them again. Excessive brushing unnecessarily, on the contrary, can easily harm the dog. By removing the protective fat layer, the owner damages the skin, which is dangerous due to infections, provokes further excessive production of sulfur, and the formation of plugs.

If wax (brown or yellow-brown thick lubricant - secretion) or dirt is found in the ears, for example, after a walk, you need to start cleaning.

If there is an unpleasant odor coming from the ear, there is a squelching sound, there is copious, dark discharge, there are visible lesions or redness of the skin - it is forbidden to take independent actions, you must contact a veterinary clinic without delay. None of the warning signs should be ignored.

Before cleaning your ears, you need to prepare:

• cotton wool, gauze (it is also convenient to use a wide gauze bandage instead), sanitary napkins or sanitary cotton-gauze pads - whichever is more convenient;
• ear sticks;
• ear cleaner (there are many options for different occasions);
• hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine, iodine (just in case you have to treat the wounds);
• tweezers;
• clean scissors (for long-haired dogs).

It is also useful to assess your pet's mood. If the dog is not in a good mood, shows excitement or is overexcited, it is better to postpone the procedure until the pet is calm and relaxed.

The need and frequency of ear cleaning

How often should you clean your dog's ears? The procedure cannot be carried out whenever you want. There must be evidence for this. This is especially true for dogs with short ears. The fact is that ear secretions in small quantities protect against external factors: dirt, dust, water, temperature changes, etc. Before you get into the animal’s ears, make sure that this is really necessary.

Short-haired dogs rarely have their ears cleaned. If the hair is long and the ears are drooping, then their ventilation does not occur at the proper level, and discharge accumulates in large quantities. In this case, dogs should clean their ears at least every other day.

Much depends on the age of the animal and its lifestyle. The older the dog, the more often ear cleaning should be done. If an animal spends a lot of time at home, its ears become less dirty compared to frequent stays outside.

Daily inspection of dog ears is more a necessity than a whim of the owner. This will allow timely detection of the onset of diseases and pathological changes. Redness, excessive discharge, swelling, unpleasant odor, all these symptoms may indicate an infection and require immediate treatment.

How do you know if your dog needs his ears cleaned? Regardless of the breed and type of ear, the procedure is carried out on average 1-2 times a week. If there is little sulfur, there is no need to remove it. The inside of a dog's ear is covered with small hairs, which, together with ear secretions, prevent bacteria from penetrating inside. With frequent cleaning, these hairs become wrinkled and cannot perform their direct tasks. Some dog breeds do not need brushing for years and feel quite comfortable.

In addition to small hairs, long hair can grow inside the ear. Gradually the hair dies and clogs the ear canal. It is recommended to remove fallen hairs using tweezers. It is completely painless for the animal. The procedure is painless for the dog; it only feels a little tickling.

Daily inspection of dog ears is a necessity, not a whim of the owner.

When your dog needs and doesn’t need to clean his ears:

• if the inside of the ear is pink, cleaning is not necessary;
• dark wax requires removal from the ear with a napkin;
• Hairs that get into a dog's ears clog the ear canal. In the summer, ticks and other insects can get in. You need to remove them from your ear in time using tweezers;
• when a dog often scratches its ears, and when touching them, withdraws its head due to pain, it means that there is a serious illness and you need to contact a veterinarian;
• If your pet shakes its head after sleep, it means it feels discomfort. You need to pour a drop of ear lotion into his ear and massage the auricle.

You can find out when it's time for your dog's ears to be cleaned using a simple test. An ear stick soaked in water is wiped in the area of ​​the ear canal. If there is a slight gray or slightly yellowish coating left on the stick, then you shouldn’t radically clean your ears just yet. If abundant sulfur deposits are detected, then it’s time to move on to hygiene procedures.

Ear cleaning lotion

How to clean

This manipulation is quite simple, but nevertheless requires high attention and concentration of the owner.

Little Snow White's ear is wiped with a cotton pad

First you need to call your pet in a gentle voice and make him comfortable when he comes up. The best option is to place the dog on its side (on the side on which the ear will be cleaned) with clean bedding.

The best time to perform the manipulation is after a walk, after a meal, or when the pet has just woken up.

It is important to securely secure the dog so that it does not spin during the procedure. The technique depends on the breed - small pets can be placed on the table, holding the body and head with your free hand, or you can also sit on your lap. Medium and large dogs are placed on the floor, gently but firmly pressed down with the free hand; active and resourceful pets are also held with the knee.

We must not forget to monitor the distribution of your weight so as not to crush your pet too much. You can ask a second person for help to help hold the dog. The pet must know this person and trust him.

After fixation, a detailed examination and assessment of the condition of the ears is carried out. To do this, the auricle is raised (if the breed is long-eared) or bent (if the ears grow upright), so that you can clearly look inside. Then you can start cleaning.

In long-haired dogs, excess hair on the inside of the ear is carefully cut off, and on the outside it is combed with special brushes.

Using a napkin or cotton pad, with confident and precise movements you need to wipe the inner surface of the ear from the inside out. Throughout the entire procedure, it is important to speak kindly to the dog and, if possible, stroke it.

Washing a dog's eyes at home and what products are needed for this

Don’t forget to change cotton pads (wipes) as you use them. After thoroughly treating the entire surface, the cotton pad should remain clean.

Cleaning the ear with a cotton swab

If dirt is visible deep in the ear, it is better for inexperienced owners not to use cotton swabs (if used improperly, they can seriously damage the hearing organ). This instrument processes only the visible parts of the hearing organ.

It is unlikely that you will be able to damage the eardrum - this is due to the anatomical structure of the hearing organ (the eardrum is located deep behind the bend of the auditory canal), however, you can drive dirt deep into the ear, on the contrary, not cleaning it, but aggravating the situation. It would be more correct to wrap a clean bandage around your index finger and use a rotating motion to clean the ear canals.

If during the initial examination a foreign object was found in the ear, you need to assess the situation:

• the object did not damage the skin, it just stuck to the surface, caught on the hairs - you need to carefully remove it with tweezers;
• the object has scratched the skin shallowly, but is freely accessible - carefully pull it out and treat the scratch with iodine, making sure that the medicine does not flow into the ear canal, then check the condition of the ear in the subsequent period of time;
• a foreign body has penetrated deeply into the skin - you must immediately take the dog to an appointment with a veterinarian, take independent action, and postponing a visit to the clinic for later is prohibited in order to avoid complications.

It is useful to massage healthy ears - gently knead them from the outside, pressing and stroking them. This is pleasant and useful for your pet.

For more thorough cleaning, you can use special auxiliary hygiene ear products.

Products and liquids

Veterinary pharmacies and pet stores have a wide range of special products for caring for dog ears. You can choose the best option for each breed of dog, for a certain age category and convenient for the owner to use.

When choosing a product, it is useful to consult a veterinarian, dog trainer or competent seller. Don’t be shy to ask specialists all your questions; it’s better to get the most comprehensive answers.

Manufacturers offer:

Lotion Otifri

Lotion

Liquid hygiene products are prepared mainly from natural plant ingredients, but are also produced from other useful raw materials. Prices vary depending on the components, volume and the manufacturer itself: 90 – 1600 rubles.

If your dog's ears often get dirty, it is convenient to use similar products for more thorough cleaning. Immediately before the procedure, moisten a cotton pad with lotion and use it to clean the ear. The treated ears are wiped dry; if the dog wants to shake itself, do not interfere with it. The product helps soften and remove wax, protecting the skin. Lotions have some anti-inflammatory and restorative effect.

Ear cleaning foam

Foam

A less common form of pet ear cleaner. Cost 1200 – 1800 rub. Also suitable for use on irritated skin and has no side effects. For production, extracts of medicinal plants, soybeans, and auxiliary substances are used.

The foam is evenly distributed over the inner surface of the ear, left for about 40 - 120 seconds, according to the instructions in the attached instructions, then wiped thoroughly, and the dog is allowed to shake itself to completely remove the residue.

Spray

Spray

Easy to use and useful hygiene product. Usually oily, as the composition includes essential oils and extracts from medicinal plants. Can be purchased for 80 - 900 rubles. This difference in price is due to different manufacturers. Imported sprays, of course, are significantly more expensive than our domestic ones.

Use as follows: the dog is fixed, holding the head securely with the hands; Move the auricle aside, spray the product inside the ear with precise and quick pressure and leave for a short time. A sudden hit of sprayed liquid into the ear provokes the pet to shake itself, which is what the spray is designed to do. Softened wax easily flies out of the ears on its own; the remains must be completely removed manually.

Gel Dog and Cat

Gel

A soft, but at the same time shape-retaining hygienic and therapeutic product for your pet's ears. The gel contains anti-inflammatory, antifungal components, and skin cleansing substances.

Often used for otitis, post-traumatic inflammation (after mechanical damage to the ear) and other similar problems as prescribed by a veterinarian. The cost of the product is 200 – 1300 rubles.

The gel is applied to the inside of the ear (the amount is prescribed to each dog individually, taking into account its size, age, and nature of the problem). The remedy is left so that the medicinal components can have a beneficial effect. Before introducing the gel into the ear, it is advisable to clean the ear canals with a cotton pad or napkin.

Place drops in the dog's ear

Drops

A liquid medicine, depending on the direction of action, having a different composition.

Used for mild and more severe forms of otitis, ear injuries, otodectosis (a disease caused by microscopic ear mites) and some other parasitic and infectious diseases.

The cost also depends on the type of drops and the manufacturer: 40 – 900 rubles. This remedy is prescribed by a qualified veterinarian after examining the dog and conducting tests if necessary.

Before use, the ears are well cleaned, then, securely fixing the dog, the required amount of medicine is instilled into the ear canal (1 - 4 drops). The pet's head is kept in an inclined position for some time so that the drops do not leak out. The same is repeated with the other ear. After instillation, the ears are not wiped so as not to remove the medicine.

Special powder

Powder

Dry hygiene product in the form of a fine powder. Most often used for long-eared dogs, but also works well for any other breed.

Sold at a price of 200 – 900 rubles. Due to its properties and dry form, the powder removes excess moisture well and prevents excess liquid from entering the hearing organ. For this reason, it is useful to apply powder to the ears before swimming, in rainy weather, and with high humidity.

It is recommended to use in a fairly small amount, and remove excess powder from the wool with a dry cloth or comb out with a comb. At the end of the day, the powder is removed from the ear along with any impurities that have been absorbed into it. To do this, use dry wipes or cotton pads.

Cotton swabs and napkins

Napkins

They are sold already moistened with a cleansing composition. This is very convenient, as it saves time - you just need to take the napkin out of the package and thoroughly clean your pet’s ear with it, then repeat the manipulation with the other ear, following the rules of the procedure.

The composition of the impregnating liquid substance includes extracts of medicinal herbs and fruits, which have a soothing, disinfecting and cleansing effect. The cost of napkins depends on the number of them in the package and on the manufacturer: 350 – 1500 rubles.

Chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine

Some owners, having seen how a veterinarian uses these drugs, decide that peroxide or chlorhexidine can successfully replace special hygiene products for caring for the dog’s ears.

Indeed, these medications are sometimes used in the treatment of ear diseases, but a layperson cannot independently prescribe the use of medications.

It is worth remembering that hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine are not cosmetics. These drugs have a drying, disinfecting, hemostatic effect, and such characteristics do not apply to hygiene products. If your pet has ear problems and your veterinarian has prescribed the use of peroxide or chlorhexidine, you should follow his advice. However, you should not use these medications simply for the purpose of cleaning your pet’s ears. It is wiser to use zoocosmetics specially designed for these purposes.

How to care after cupping

There are dog breeds, such as the Caucasian Shepherd, that are required to have their ears cropped according to the breed standard. Artificially giving the ears a certain shape is a painstaking surgical operation, after which the dog will have to go through a rather painful recovery period. The owner must follow all the instructions of the attending veterinarian and keep the pet's ears clean.

First of all, the seams protect – they prevent the dog from scratching and rubbing its head. To do this, bandages are applied, which are changed regularly, but more often an Elizabethan collar is used (a veterinary device in the form of a plastic cone that is placed around the pet’s neck). Keep the healing wound clean - treat the stitches with a remedy prescribed by the veterinarian - iodine, brilliant green, antiseptic ointments, powders or similar medications.

During the healing period of the ears after cropping, it is necessary to undergo routine examinations by a veterinarian.

During this period, it is important to carefully and thoroughly remove wax and other contaminants from the hearing organ, since such an environment becomes an excellent place for the development of pathogenic microflora (pathogenic microbes, viruses, fungi, etc.). Use cleaning products prescribed by your veterinarian. During the procedure, care should be taken not to damage or contaminate the healing sutures.

Shaking his head after swimming

Hygiene and Anatomy

Ear diseases in Pomeranians are quite rare. This is due to two factors:

• The fact that the ears are small and erect.
• The general well-being of the breed in terms of health.

Therefore, ear hygiene does not require any special care cosmetics or medications. The main goal is to keep the ears clean.

Don’t forget that the Spitz is a small but active dog, so while playing in the dust or having fun outside, dirt can get into the ear. Removing it, as well as natural discharge from the ear canal, is the main task of hygienic cleaning.

If you shake your head after the procedure

If your dog shakes after using lotions, sprays or other ear cleaning products, this is a normal reaction. Such drugs that get into the ear provoke the pet to shake it off to remove the residue from the ear canals.

However, if the dog shakes its head for a long time, you need to be wary. Associated symptoms of the problem:

• the dog keeps its head to one side all the time;
• tries to help himself with his paws - hits his ears, itches;
• whines;
• there is squelching, gurgling, clicking in the ear;
• Due to discomfort, the dog becomes lethargic, apathetic, sleeps poorly, and eats little.

This may be a sign of otitis media, as well as some other ear diseases. You cannot ignore such alarm bells; you should definitely take your dog to see a veterinarian. If signs are observed during the cleaning procedure, especially if the dog is normally calm, stop cleaning and contact your veterinarian. It is important to describe the situation in detail and accurately answer the doctor’s questions.

Dog breed Caucasian Shepherd, description and character, as well as how much a purebred puppy costs

To significantly reduce the risk of inflammatory processes during the cold season, you need to follow a simple rule: you should not moisturize your ears before going outside. Therefore, you should not use liquid or paste-like ear care products before walking. It is better to use cleansing powder. There is also no need to rinse your ears immediately after a walk. You need to let your pet cool down and rest, warm up and relax. The same applies to dogs living in windy regions.

External examination of the auricle

Adviсe

It is recommended to inspect your ears as often as possible, if possible every day, but cleaning should not be rushed. Not all dogs need weekly brushing; some require one session every few weeks or sometimes months. If the procedure is new to you and you don’t know how to clean your dog’s ears at home, contact your veterinarian for help. He will definitely show and tell you in detail how and how this is done. This way you can avoid accidental injuries and learn how to properly care for your pet.

What to do if a sulfur plug has formed

A large accumulation of earwax that blocks the ear canals is called cerumen plug.

This problem can arise for a number of reasons: lack of care, improper care, body characteristics, physical condition of the dog, and others. Signs that a dog has wax impaction are:

• hearing loss (the dog does not respond immediately to the owner’s call, or does not respond at all, and poorly follows commands that it knows well);
• absent-mindedness, apathy;
• the dog scratches its ear and shakes its head;
• the pet asks the owner for help or, on the contrary, is irritated;
• head tilted to one side.

In any case, you need to go to the clinic, where the doctor will conduct a professional examination, if necessary, otoscopy and other auxiliary manipulations. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. The plugs are usually removed in a few minutes and do not require repeating the procedure. The doctor will either rinse the ear or clean it using the necessary tools.

It is not recommended to wash your dog’s ears yourself, as this can cause inflammation or simply fail to remove the wax plug.