What You Should Know About Ear Cleaning For Your Pets
Home ear cleanings can enhance treatment of an existing ear problem or prevent the
development of a new one. Some dogs that are prone to ear infections may need regular cleanings
between veterinary visits. Home ear cleanings can also help remove dirt and wax that
can prevent needed medications from reaching inflamed areas, as well as get rid of allergens
and microbes that may be contributing to the inflammation or infection.
There are several techniques for home ear clean- ing. This handout describes the simplest one.
Ear cleaning can be relatively easy to do at home, as long as a few simple guidelines
are followed. The most important guideline is to always put health and safety first: If, for
any reason, your pet becomes so agitated that you feel you are at risk of being bitten, stop.
If the procedure seems excessively painful for your pet, stop and get professional advice.
Create a Wiggle-Free Zone
Although some pets are willing to sit or lie quietly while you clean their ears, the
reality is that most object, at least at first. Choose your work space carefully! Ear
cleaning can be messy, so it’s best to pick a room that’s easy to clean (e.g., bathroom, laundry
room, shower stall) or to even go outside.
Here are some tips on how to keep your pet wiggle free while you work:
Place your pet on a stable work surface that you can stand next to and allow him or her
to lie down, either in an upright “sphinx” position or flat on his or her side. Wrap one
arm—the one you will use to treat the ear—over your pet’s shoulders, and use your upper arm
and elbow to help keep him or her still. You can wrap your other arm under your pet’s neck
to hold the ear open and ear flap back.
If you don’t have a suitable high work surface, you can use the same method while seated on the
floor, either holding the front of your pet’s body partially against your body or on your lap. If
you have a large dog, you can have it sit back against your legs while you stand behind it. Sometimes it helps to back the pet into a corner.
Small dogs and cats can be wrapped in a large towel—rolled up like a burrito—and held against your
body, leaving only the head free. Be sure not to wrap your small pet too tightly.
If your pet struggles, talk to him or her calmly. Take a break if he or she becomes
extremely agitated. Massaging the base of the ears (unless they are painful) should feel
good to the pet and may help calm him or her enough that you can resume treatment.
Be sure to reward good behavior!
If this method fails, get a helper to hold the pet while you treat the ear.
What You’ll need:
Old clothes
Safe, easily cleanable work area (tile or linoleum floors, water-resistant walls)
towel
nonirritating ear wash or rinse recommended by your veterinarian
Cotton balls or tissues
Cotton swabs (to be used on outer ear only)
Client Handout ♦ Ear Cleaning 101
Cleaning Steps
There is no one perfect way to perform an ear cleaning, but the general steps are as follows.
1. Squeeze
With your pet properly restrained, hold the ear solution bottle just over the opening of
the affected ear and gently squeeze the prescribed amount of solution into the ear. Do not
squeeze the solution bottle too hard, as a powerful stream can irritate tender and inflamed
ear structures.
Tip: Store the cleaning solution at room tempera- ture to avoid causing unnecessary
discomfort to the pet. (Do not store ear medications that require refrigeration at room
temperature; however, allow- ing them to reach room temperature before use makes them more
comfortable.)
2. Massage
After administering the solution, fold the ear flap down against your pet’s head and
try to prevent your pet from shaking his or her head too much. Gently massage the very
base of the ear to distrib- ute the solution as far as possible into the deep horizontal ear
canal. To massage the base of the ear, follow the cartilage tube of the ear canal with your
finger down along the pet’s neck until you feel the tube bend and turn inward. Then gently
com- press the tube with your finger. (Unless the ear is extremely painful, most animals like this
part!) Keep the solution in the ear for the prescribed amount of time. When you are done, allow
your pet to shake its head to remove some of the solution.
Tip: Prepare for the head shake! Wear old clothes and keep a towel handy. You may want to
drape the towel over your pet’s head or neck before administering the solution.
3. Wipe and Swab
When most of the solution has been shaken out, use cotton balls or tissues to gently wipe
away any discharge, loosened debris, and remaining liquid from the ear flap, side of the neck,
and hair below the ear as well as the opening of the ear canal. Cotton swabs can be
used to clean small skin pockets in the visible ear.
Tip: Do not push cotton swabs into the ear canal, even for a short distance. A sudden shake
of the head or slip of the hand could result in a cotton swab puncturing the delicate
eardrum or pushing debris back inside the inner ear canal.
Signs of Ear Trouble:
odor
Scratching/rubbing at ears or side of head
discharge debris Pain
Shaking/tilting of the head
Head shyness (not wanting the head or ears to be touched)
irritability
The ear is a very delicate structure. It is very important to closely
follow recommendations regarding ear cleanings. Treating too frequently or too
aggressively can make the problem worse, not better. Sensitive, already inflamed parts of
the ear can be damaged. Because many ear washes contain chemicals and drying
agents, it i s also important to use only products recommended by a veterinarian.
Please contact us if you feel your pet may be having a problem with their ears.
With thanks to Dr. Craig E. Griffin, Animal Dermatology Clinic, San Diego, for his contributions
to and review of this material.