Your Basic Guide On How To Clean Dog and Cat Ears

No loving pet owner likes to see their dog or cat in discomfort or distress. Taking the animal to the vet can be time consuming and costly.

There are some procedures, at home, that you can perform to help keep your dog or cat healthy and distress free. An ear checkup on a weekly basis is a good habit to create.

What To Look For

Your dog or cat has ear problems if they shows symptoms of:

• Crusty skin in the ear
• Ear discharge
• Bad smells from the ear area
• Redness around the flaps or inner ear
• Swelling in the ear canal
• Dark ear wax resembling coffee grounds
• Hair loss on the flap or back of ear
• Head tilting
• Balance issue
• Excessive ear scratching

A Guide On How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears

You will need to gather a good all purpose dog ear cleaner. Depending on the type of ear cleaner, you may also need some cotton balls. If you have a smaller dog, you may want to pull the cotton ball in half.

The Prep

Saturate the cotton ball with the cleaner. Then, squeeze the excess cleaner from the cotton ball until the ball is only damp. Try wrapping your cotton ball around your finger and press with your thumb to release the excess liquid.

It may not be wise to use a Q-Tip. Some dogs may not like it. Also, never stick anything down into the ear canal. You may damage the ear drum.

Get Busy

Gently rub the inside of your dog’s ear including the flap. If the ear is very dirty or has a build-up, this may take several cotton balls.

Be sure to use a light touch as the skin is thin. Too harsh a touch can cause the ear to bleed.

Be Thorough

Check the crevices as dirt and wax can build up in these areas. As long as you and your product are gentle, your dog should tolerate this procedure.

If there is infection or raw skin, any product using alcohol or vinegar may sting. Your dog may not tolerate the cleaning due to discomfort.

Be sure to clean both ears.

Peek Inside

If you see gunk in the inner ear, you may want to ask your vet about irrigating the ears.

Wash It Out

To irrigate, fill a small squeeze bottle with the cleaning fluid. Hold the tip of the ear cleaner bottle at the opening to the ear canal. Very gently, squeeze the bottle to fill the ear canal with the ear cleaning fluid.

Gently rub the base of the ear. Use the thumb on one side and your fingers on other sides of the ear. Gently massage around the ear for 60 seconds.

Use cotton balls to remove the wax and other debris from the ear. Be sure to have several cotton balls handy.

Stand Clear

Your dog will have a natural tendency to shake his head after the cleaning. This will allow the fluids to clear from their ear canal.

You may want to stand clear in case there is remaining gunk in the ear. After they are finished shaking, do a final wipe of the ears.

>> Use our alcohol-free ear cleaner: Oxyfresh Pet Ear Cleaner. There’s no cotton ball required! Simply pour some cleaner into the ear, rub the base of the ear, and let them shake it out. Any remaining fluid will safely evaporate.

Cat Check-up

The best time to groom is during times when your cat is looking to be petted or feeling sleepy. When a cat is in an energetic or playful mood, they are more likely to struggle or scratch during cleaning.

Take a look into the ear. You will only be able to see the outer area of the ear canal. Near a bright light, bend the ear flap back. This will let you see a little deeper into the ear.

Check to see if there is any build-up of wax or gunk. Most cats are very capable of keeping their ears clean.

If a cat’s ear is clean, it will be pale pink in color and minimal earwax. There will be no debris or odor. After checking both ears, if they appear clean, do not clean them with cleaner.

If there is a foul smell or pus, notify your vet.

A Guide On How To Clean Your Cat’s Ears

Cats can be temperamental about having their ears cleaned. This may be a two person event. You will need a good pet ear cleaner and cottons balls to clean the ears. A thick towel may be needed.

The Prep

Make sure your cat is relaxed. If the cat becomes agitated, gently swath your cat in a towel. Make sure you have the legs tucked in. It helps to be in a quiet room, without distractions. Hold gently, with the cat in your arms.

Get Busy

Use a liquid ear cleaner that is room temperature. Place a few drops in the cat’s ear. The vet or the instructions on the cleaner should let you know how many drops per ear.

After dosing, message around the ear between twenty- forty five seconds. Be very gentle and soothing. This motion will help to dislodge the build-up.

The cat may want to shake their head. Allow this as it also will help to dislodge the debris.

Clean Gently

Using a moistened cotton ball or gauze pad, gently rub inside the cat’s ears. Do not push the cotton ball or gauze into the horizontal part of the ear canal. This might compact, rather than remove, the buildup.

Reward Time

Praise your cat along with treats and cuddles after the cleaning has been completed. Maybe a little catnip?

>> Remove wax buildup, dirt and mites with Oxyfresh Pet Ear Cleaner. It never stings, burns or irritates. This cleaner eliminates odors and provides relief from itching. It will soothe ear infections and helps reduce bacterial growth.

Know someone who loves their pets? Pass this on, so they can keep their pet’s ears clean and healthy.