How to Keep a Lab's Ears Clean

Dogs with folded ears, such as Labrador retrievers, are more prone to ear problems because fresh air can't get into their ears. If fresh air can't get into the dog's ears, moisture builds up, along with bacteria. The result is a lab with dirty ears, possible fungus or an ear infection that, if not treated promptly or correctly, could lead to hearing loss. If you notice your Labrador retriever has smelly brown or black gunk in its ears, this is the sign of a fungal infection.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog ear wash
  • Prescription antibiotic/antifungal cream
  • Cotton balls
  • Mineral oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect your Labrador retriever's ears every two weeks. The insides should be a pale pink with no foul odor; if the skin is red, brown or black, they need to be cleaned. If the dog begins to shake its head or scratch its ears, it may have an ear infection, according to Labrador Retriever Savvy.

    • 2

      Squirt ear wash into the dog's ears. Hold the dog's ear flap down over its ear opening and massage the liquid into its ear canal. Massage using a downward direction and go up high so you clean its inner ear and get the cleaning wash down into the dog's ear canal. Your dog should enjoy this massage, but don't massage too hard, according to the Dogs website.

    • 3

      Let go of the dog's head and ears and let it shake all the fluid out. Tear some cotton balls in half and then, holding the dog's ear open with one hand, swipe the cotton ball all over the inside of its ears. Expect to go through four to five cotton pads to get the dog's ears fully cleaned and to remove any accumulated ear junk.

    • 4

      Squirt prescription antibiotic/antifungal medication into the dog's ears (if needed), close its ears once more and work the medication all around the dog's inner ear.

    • 5

      Moisten a cotton ball with mineral oil and clean the flaps of its ears and the opening to its ear canals.