When a dog constantly digs and scratches in its ears it can be annoying for both owner and dog. Ear digging is common in long-eared dogs such as basset hounds and cocker spaniels, but can affect any breed. A dog that is constantly digging and scratching at its ears might have an ear infection, parasites, allergies or very dirty ears, all of which require attention. Once you know the cause of your dog's excessive ear digging and scratching, you will be better equipped to treat the source of the problem.
Things You'll Need
- Mineral oil
- Cotton pads
- Dog ear-wash solution
Instructions
Take your dog to the veterinarian to check for ear infections, allergies or parasites. Explain your dog's symptoms and the frequency of the ear digging and scratching. Follow any instructions or treatment plans recommended by your veterinarian. Many dogs with ear digging symptoms have ear infections that are easily remedied with cleaning and topical antibiotic treatment. The only way to treat allergies is to first eliminate all possible causes from the dog's diet or environment, and slowly reintroduce them until the culprit is found. Many allergic dogs improve on a natural wheat-free or raw food diet. For earmites, your veterinarian might recommend an antiparasitic medication containing a pesticide.
Clean your dog's ears regularly according to your veterinarian's instructions. Usually, to increase efficacy, you must clean the dog's ears prior to administering any medication. Apply mineral oil to a cotton pad and wipe around the dog's external ear and ear opening. Discard pad after use and repeat process if ears are still dirty.
Squeeze a few drops of a veterinary-approved dog ear-wash solution onto your dog's outer ear and wipe gently with a cotton pad. Insert the bottle a few millimeters into the dog's ear canal and squeeze out a small amount. Massage the base of the ear canal to thoroughly distribute the ear cleaning solution along the ear canal.
Remove the bottle and cover your face, because your dog will probably shake its head and some solution could fly out. To finish off, use a cotton pad or cotton ball to wipe around your dog's ear opening, removing any discharge.