How to Clean a Dog's Ears With Witch Hazel

Keeping a pet dog's ears clean is crucial to prevent a buildup of dirt that may become a breeding ground for bacteria and parasites that can lead to infections. Diseases of the ear can lead to deafness and other complications that threaten a dog's health and well-being. Witch hazel is a plant used in solution form for its natural disinfectant properties for the skin and to promote the healing of wounds. It has been used for centuries, originally by the Native American tribes of North America.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton swabs or balls
  • Witch hazel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a bottle of witch hazel from a drug store or from some pet stores if you don't already have some at home. At the same time, buy some cotton swabs, or preferably cotton balls, since these are thicker and absorb more of the liquid.

    • 2

      Get the items you'll need such as the witch hazel and cotton balls and find an area where your dog will be most relaxed and not easily distracted. This may be done outside in a quiet garden or in a room the dog is familiar with. If needed, place a sheet, towel or newspaper on the floor to absorb any spills of witch hazel.

    • 3

      Make sure your dog has settled down and is either lying down on his side or sitting in the area where you plan to clean the ears.

    • 4

      Hold the ear with your fingers and gently pull it back to reveal as much of the inside as possible without it being uncomfortable to the dog.

    • 5

      Dip the cotton ball in the solution with your other hand. This is easier to do if a small amount of witch hazel has been poured into a shallow container. You need just enough so that a whole cotton ball or swab can become drenched in it. Soak up the liquid and squeeze the cotton ball so that it is wet but not dripping.

    • 6

      Wipe the whole of the inside ear area, including the folds and creases well. Dip the cotton ball again in the witch hazel if needed, or use a new one if the first one is dirty, and repeat the process until all the inside ear has been wiped. Do not dig into the ear canal; clean only the surface areas that you can see and easily reach.

    • 7

      Repeat for the second ear. If your dog is nervous, calm him down or give him a treat or a rest before proceeding to the next ear. This will help him grow comfortable with the process for next time. Throw out used cotton balls.

    • 8

      Clean the dog's ears this way from once a week to once a month, depending on his needs and lifestyle.