5 Easy Steps for Cleaning Your Pet’s Ears

Dogs and cats often develop ear issues because their ear canals are warm, dark, and moist, making them the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. Cleaning your cat’s or dog’s ears regularly helps keep the ears healthy, plus it can help prevent ear disease, ear mites, and ear infections.

How to Clean Your Dog's or Cat’s Ears

• First, gently grasp the ear and pull up while applying an ear cleaner in your pet’s ear canal. Fill the ear canal with cleaner until it is coming out of the ear.
• Gently massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds to soften and release the debris.
• Using a cotton ball, wipe out the loose debris and excess fluid from the inner part of the ear flap. Repeat this process until you no longer see debris and the cotton ball comes out clean. (You should avoid using Q-tips or anything with a pointed tip because they can damage the ear canal and push debris deeper into the ear, which can lead to infection.)
• Afterward, allow your pet to shake their head to remove excess fluid, and then gently dry the ear area with a towel.
• The first few times that you clean your pet’s ears, you may need to apply ear cleaner more than once to get all of the debris out. Be aware that your pet will probably shake his head during the ear-cleaning process.

Cat and Dog Ear Infections

Ear infections in dogs and cats are commonly caused by bacteria or yeast. Ear mites, allergies, and excessive hair growth in the inner ear can all contribute to the development of an infection.

In some cases, the ear canal becomes wet from bathing or grooming, and this moisture leads to the growth of microorganisms in the ear. This is commonly known as a swimmer’s ear.

Other Ear Problems in Dogs & Cats

Ear disease is a very common problem in pets. It can be caused by allergies, parasites (ear mites), yeast or bacterial infections, and excess moisture in the ear. Ear disease often causes an odor, scratching of the head and ears, discharge in the ears, and redness.

Ear mites are a common problem in cats, but they can occur in dogs as well. Ear mites often cause dark, dry, and crumbly debris in the ear, which resembles coffee grounds. If your pet has ear mites, cleaning the ears and then applying an ear medication will kill the mites.

If you suspect that your pet is having ear issues, you should consult with your veterinarian. They will rule out any underlying issues and prescribe medication if it’s needed.

Preventing Ear Issues

The best way to prevent ear issues is to clean the ears regularly. If your pet has a history of ear issues or swims a lot, it is recommended to clean their ears up to three times per week. It may also help to clip excess hair around the ears to prevent excess moisture buildup.