What is the best way to clean my dogs ears?

Question

I have a 40lb 7 month old female Bassett Hound. We recently put her in a fenced in yard and she digs into the black dirt to find cool spots. I have noticed that her ears are now filled with black dust and dirt from her laying in the dirt holes that she digs. I am not sure the best way to get her ears cleaned like they should be.

Answer 1

DO NOT USE Q-TIPS! This can push debris down into the ears and cause serious issues. You can also puncture the ear drum- not good!! Get an ear wash from your vet that is a gentle, all purpose drying ear cleanser. We use Gent-L-Clens.
1) Warm up the cleaner in the microwave for a few seconds. This helps to break up wax and feels better than room temperature.
2) Pull back your dogs ear and fill up the canal until the cleaner is running out of the ear.
3) Massage the base of the ear to break up stuff down in the canal
4) Use a cotton ball to swab out excess dirt.
5) You can also moisten a cottonball to clean the crevices.
6) You will have to repeat these steps several times depending on how dirty the ears are!

Answer 2

get the ear rinse from the local vet. this will loosen up any debris and will assist with the cleaning. use a qtip only on the part of the ear you can see don't go too far down. I would try wiping it the outer part with a washcloth or something then do the qtip last.

Answer 3

I use a soft cloth and some rubbing alchol. I clean as much as I can get out dry and then moisten the cloth and wipe out the rest.
Most dogs do not mind having it done once they learn you are going to clean them.
It is far healthier for the dog and easier than dealing with a ear infection.
They make ear wipes that are premoistened and you just wipet he ear clean. You can find them at pet stores.

Answer 4

black dirt could be ear mites. there is a special cleaner and a medicine you can buy at a pet store or feed stores. my vet also told me you can use a cotton ball and mineral oil.

Answer 5

Cotton ball, slightly damp, very gently just on the inside not too deep

Answer 6

I used to work in a dog kennel and we would clean there ears with cotton balls and regular rubbing alcohol.

Answer 7

Get a q-tip and you can use water or rubbing alcohol and clean very gently.

Answer 8

i would use cottonballs and olive oil. olive oil is a natural deterrent for ear mites as well. that is what i use to clean my dogs ears.

Answer 9

with a q-tip or with a wet rag very gently.

Answer 10

alcohol on a q tip when they are sleeping....