How to Get Rid of a Dog's Smelly Ears

When a dog̵7;s ears have a bad smell, it is a sign that something is wrong. Your dog likely has an ear infection, or matter such as water or plant debris lodged inside its ear. If your dog is a puppy, it may have ear mites. Because the problem must be correctly identified and medicated, you must take your dog to a veterinarian. When you get home, clean your dog's ears and then apply the medication as instructed.

Things You'll Need

  • Round or square cotton pads
  • Canine ear cleaning solution
  • Cotton ball
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Instructions

  1. Cleaning

    • 1

      Hold your dog̵7;s head at an angle and hold up its ear.

    • 2

      Gently squeeze the ear cleaning solution into your dog̵7;s ear canal. Be careful not to push the applicator tip in too far.

    • 3

      Work the fluid deep inside of the ear canal: massage the base of your dog̵7;s ear, which is where it attaches to the head, for 10 to 15 seconds. You must act fast or your dog will shake its head and fling out the fluid.

    • 4

      Wipe away the matter at the opening of your dog̵7;s ear. The matter will be a combination of debris and wax brought up by the cleaning solution.

    • 5

      Clean the outside of your dog̵7;s ears. Moisten a cotton pad with the ear cleaning solution. Hold up your dog̵7;s ear and wipe away any debris, dirt or wax that is under the ear flap or at the ear opening.

    • 6

      Clean as far into the ear as the tip of your finger, which is wrapped in the cotton pad. Also, make sure to clean all of the crevices in your dog̵7;s ear. Replace the cotton pad with a new one when it gets soiled.

    • 7

      Repeat Steps 1 through 6 on your dog's other ear.

    • 8

      Praise and treat your dog.

    Medication

    • 9

      Make sure your dog's ear is clean and dry.

    • 10

      Hold your dog's head steady and fold its ear over the top of its head.

    • 11

      Put the end of the applicator into your dog's ear only as far as you can see. While the medication must reach the eardrum, you don't want to perforate it with the applicator. Squeeze in the amount of ointment or number of ear drops your veterinarian recommended.

    • 12

      Massage the base of your dog's ear for about 20 seconds to spread the medication throughout the ear.

    • 13

      Praise and treat your dog.