Dog ears, like ours produce wax to help protect the ear drum and sensitive ear canal. Some dog breeds are more likely to encounter issues with their ears due to the shape and size of their pinnae (the bit we see that either stands up or hangs down). If you notice your dog is doing any of the following, please consult your vet:

- Head shakingItching/scratching at ears
- Head shakingItching/scratching at ears
- Holding their ear/head downwards
- Producing a smell/discharge from the ear

At the appointment, your vet will look down in the ear canal to see if there is an obvious cause for your dog’s discomfort; it’s very important that a vet has examined your dog’s ears before you start cleaning them. If cleaning is recommended, the aim is to clear the external ear, never insert anything into your dog's ears. 

The best items for cleaning your dog’s ears are:
- Cotton buds
- Cotton wool
- Ear cleaner prescribed/recommended by your vet
- Gloves

It’s important for both you and your dog to have a positive experience, especially as some dogs may need repeat ear cleans, so try to create a calm and quiet environment with a reward at the end! 

Being mindful your dog may be in discomfort with their ears, gently lift the pinna upwards (if hanging) or lightly backwards (if upright) to expose the ear canal; lower the ear cleaner until the nozzle is at the entrance to the canal and pump once; do not insert the nozzle deeper into the ear.

Gently massage the base of the ear (the horizontal canal) for 30 seconds to one minute. You should hear a squelching sound; this is the cleaner flushing the canal. This may cause your dog to try and scratch the ear due to the irritation. After the time, allow your dog to shake their head, this allows any debris in the ear to come to the surface.

You can use small pieces of cotton wool or a cotton bud to gently wipe the canal opening and pinna, to remove any debris that is left. These can be used down the ‘vertical canal’ and care should be taken not to go deeper as these can cause damage to the ‘horizontal canal’ and the ear drum. 

When you can no longer see any debris, you can give your dog a tasty treat as a reward for all the disruption! They may still shake their head/scratch their ears after having them cleaned.

If you notice any bleeding or your dog is showing signs of severe discomfort, or you feel your dog is not tolerating the cleaning (avoiding you/hiding/showing signs of stress), please contact your vet to discuss alternative options.

Link to additional resources: 
If your dog is worried about the vets, check read our article on calming strategies: making vet visits stress-free for anxious dogs