The Best Things to Clean a Dog's Ears With

There are many viruses, yeasts, bacteria and parasites that can thrive in the moist, warm environment of your dog's ears. Dogs with floppy or exceptionally hairy ears that limit air circulation are particularly susceptible to infections in the ear. For these reasons, cleaning your dog's ears every week is an important aspect of regular grooming that should not be missed. The best tools for cleaning your dog's ears with can be found in your own medicine chest and your local pet supply store.

  1. Cleansing Solution

    • A cleansing solution should be used to loosen up any debris in your dog's ear, as well as to dissolve waxy buildup. The best cleansing solution should be gentle and pH balanced. The experts at petmedsonline.com suggest using hydrogen peroxide, and specially formulated cleansing solutions are available at your local pet supply store. Ask your dog's veterinarian to recommend the best solution for your dog.

    Pads

    • A soft cloth, cleaning pads, swabs and cotton balls are among the best tools to use for removing the wax and debris that the solution has loosened. Cleaning pads or cloths should only be used on the parts of the ear that are visible, never inside the ear canal.

    Powder

    • Using an ear-drying powder is the best way to prevent fungus and bacteria from growing in the ear canal. Ear-drying powder eliminates itching and unpleasant odors from the ear. Choose a powder specially made for this purpose and one that has an applicator tip for easy use.