Wondering how often your dog's ears need to be cleaned? In general, once per month is a good rule of thumb. Breeds with long, floppy ears or dogs who swim frequently may need to have their ears cleaned every other week, or even weekly. After bathing or swimming, be sure to properly dry your pup's ears.

How do you know if your dog's ears need cleaning?

Much like human ears, seeing wax at the opening to the ear is a good indication they need cleaning. Another common findings is the ears may 'quelch' when rubbed or start to smell.

What is the brown stuff in my dog's ears?

Normal dog ear wax ranges from pale yellow to light brown. Keep in mind, the wax may look darker if there's dirt in the ear. The consistency of the wax should be semi-soft. To learn what's normal for your pup (some dogs simply have more wax than others), regularly inspect your dog's ears – once a week is ideal.

How do you know if your dog's ears are dirty?

Ear Discharge in Dogs: Why You Should Talk to Your Vet

Gently pull back your dog's ears and have a quick look inside. What you should see is a clean, pink ear canal. If you notice discharge, redness, swelling, or odor, it's time to talk to the vet.

Should I clean the brown stuff out of my dogs ears?

Some dogs that have healthy, clean ears may never need to have their ears cleaned. However, it is recommended to clean your dog's ears if you notice discharge or an odor when examining the ear. Your veterinarian can help you decide how often your dog's ears should be cleaned.

How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?

What happens if you don't clean your dog's ears?

The buildup of wax and debris can contribute to an infection or other problems when left unattended.

Is it OK to wipe the inside of dogs ears?

Use wet wipes or a wet washcloth to wipe down the part of your dog's ear you can see. To start wiping, begin with the outer ear first. Wipe off any dirt or debris you see in your dog's fur. Lift your dog's floppy ear or gently pull back his pointy ears and wipe just the inside portion of his ear you can see.

Can I use wipes to clean my dog's ears?

Use a new wipe for each ear and each eye. For ears: Gently wipe ears to lift away wax, dirt and debris. Do not reach into your dog's ear canal. For eyes: Wipe around the outer eye area to gently remove gunk and tear stains.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide on my dog's ears?

Don't use hydrogen peroxide on your dog's ears. This common household product can actually cause irritation to healthy skin cells. Ears contain very sensitive tissue, and extended use of hydrogen peroxide could eventually lead to damage of the ear itself. Stick to veterinary-formulated ear cleaners.

Why is my dog's ear full of black gunk?

If you notice the presence of black gooey material, it's likely a bacterial or fungal infection has started on the inside of the ear canal. The material itself could be wax, debris, blood or pus. Another sympton of ear infections in dogs is excessive scratching at their ears as if it's uncomfortable for your dog.

What color should dog ear wax be?

Healthy earwax should be a pale, yellowish color. If your dog appears to have dark brown or black earwax or if the earwax looks dirty gray instead of golden, this isn't normal. A noticeable increase in wax build-up can be a sign of a problem as well.

What does ear mites look like?

Ear mites are tiny animals and are a fairly common parasite in both cats and dogs. They look like tiny white dots, but can barely be seen with the naked eye. Ear mites live on the skin of the ear canal and feed off ear wax and skin oils.

Is it better to clean or dirty dog ears?

A healthy, clean dog ear is light pink and odorless. However, a dirty dog ear might smell musty or have brown or black earwax. If your dog starts shaking their head or scratching at their ears, you can prevent a nasty infection by cleaning them as soon as possible.

What happens if I put too much ear cleaner in my dogs ear?

Note: Just as the wrong cleaner can cause an issue, over-cleaning with a good ear cleaner isn't good either. Cleaning TOO often can cause irritation and possibly damage to the ear canal, which can result in an ear infection.

How often should you bathe a dog?

Most healthy dogs need a bath every one to three months to minimize odor and oil buildup, but this can vary depending on the following factors: Breed — Dogs with oily coats (i.e. Retrievers) may need a bath every few weeks to reduce odor, and will benefit from daily brushing to remove hair and distribute oils.

What do groomers use to clean dogs ears?

The Ear Cleaning Process

Here are some of the grooming supplies used by professionals: Hemostat: This should be sterilized before and after each cleaning session. Medicated Ear Powder: Some professionals will also use a deodorizer powder.

What not to clean dogs ears with?

Avoid Harsh Cleaners or Instruments

The number one way a dog's ears are harmed during the cleaning process is by using irritants such as alcohol-based wipes or Q-Tips that can put too much pressure on the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide is also not acceptable, as it can irritate healthy skin cells and sensitive tissue.

Can I use a baby wipe to clean my dog's ears?

No, it is not recommended that you use baby wipes on dogs, or any other pets. That's because the pH level on human skin is different to dogs so baby wipes are unsafe because they may cause irritation or itching.

What does dark brown earwax mean?

If your earwax is dark brown or red-tinged, this could be a sign of an injury within the ear. This could range from a minor scratch in the ear canal to a ruptured eardrum.

How do you tell the difference between ear mites and dirty ears?

So how can you tell the difference? Cats that aren't suffering an ear mite infection have a lighter brown earwax color that does not smell. The darkly colored earwax caused by an ear mite infection will often have ear discharge resembling coffee grounds.

How do I know if my dog has ear mites or yeast infection?

Yeast infections in a dog's ears generally cause redness, a brown discharge, head shaking or rubbing, odor, and itching. Ear mite infections are extremely itchy and can cause many of the same symptoms. The discharge from the ear is usually dark and waxy or crusty.

What does a dog ear infection look like?

The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. In chronic cases, the ears may appear crusty or thickened, and the ear canals often become narrowed (stenotic) due to chronic inflammation.

Can you see dog ear mites?

It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface. Ear mites are highly contagious, and animals become infested by direct contact with another infested animal. The mite is barely visible to the naked eye and may be seen as a white speck moving against a dark background.

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