How to Cleanse a Dog's Ears

Dogs can develop many kinds of ear problems, including ear mites, fungus and infection, and it is essential to keep your dog's ears clean to help reduce or eliminate those possibilities. Many dogs don't like to have their ears cleaned and some may need a bit of restraint while you do so.

Things You'll Need

  • Ear cleaning solution
  • Cotton balls
  • Tweezers or hemostat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lift the dog's ear to examine it. If the opening of the ear canal is blocked by excess fur, use the tweezers or hemostat to pluck it gently. This will make cleaning easier and allow in air, which will help to maintain a healthy ear, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

    • 2

      Fold the dog's ear back to get clear access to the canal. Place a few drops inside ear flap. Insert the tip of the ear wash bottle a few millimeters into the ear canal in order to reach internal parts of the ear. Squeeze out the necessary amount of solution, but do not force it.

    • 3

      Massage the base of the ear to distribute drops throughout the canal.

    • 4

      Remove wax, discharge, debris and excess ear wash by gently rubbing a clean cotton ball on the inside of the flap and the edge of the ear canal. Repeat until cotton balls no longer are soiled.