Natural Flush for Ear Cleaning in Dogs

If your dog paws or scratches its ears, rubs its head along the ground or shakes its head repeatedly, you should suspect that ear problems cause the behavior. The dog may have excess ear wax or the beginnings of an ear infection. If the dog doesn't seem to be in great pain or discomfort, try a natural flush before heading to the veterinarian.

  1. Background

    • Dogs with long floppy ears have a higher likelihood of developing ear problems than dogs with cropped standing ears. Owners of floppy-eared dogs should prepare to observe the dog for signs of ear problems and care for the problem when it occurs. When wax, dirt or moisture build up in a dog's ears, the resulting discomfort can develop into a painful infection.

    Identify the Problem

    • Smell your dog's ears. If a foreign substance exists in the dog's ear, you may smell an unpleasant yeasty odor. Look in your dog's ear to see if you can identify any waxy brown substance. If you see this matter in the dog's outer ear, you should consider the probability that it exists in the dog's inner ear. Don't put anything, including a cotton ear swab, into the dog's ear canal.

    Flush

    • Mix a solution of 50 percent lukewarm water with 50 percent white vinegar. Lift the dog's ear up gently. Using a turkey baster or syringe, squirt the mixture into the ear. Massage the base of the dog's ear quickly before the dog starts to shake its head. Massaging the solution in the ear will ensure that the majority of the solution stays in the dog's ear and will begin to trickle down to the dog's ear canal.

    Prevention

    • Flush your dog's ear with the vinegar-water solution every few weeks to prevent a build-up of dirt and wax. The flushing will also help you maintain a proper pH balance in the dog's ears, preventing infections from developing. Pay particular attention to the possibility of ear problems if your dog takes antibiotics that can throw its system out of balance. Keep the fur around the dog's ears clipped to keep the ear dry and vented. This will prevent dirt and debris from becoming trapped in the ear, which may then move down the ear canal, causing an infection to develop