Ear Cleaning
Ear and eye cleanings are both often overlooked when it comes to basic grooming routines.
However, your dog's ears and eyes are vital sense organs that should receive proper care. This is especially true for ears in floppy-eared breeds, such as hounds, beagles, and spaniels.
Basic tips
Check your dog's ears regularly after bathtime. It is recommended to clean your dog's ears at least once a month
Find a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaning solution. Follow the directions on the bottle, which are likely to squeeze an amount of the solution into the ear canal and rub the base of the ear for 30 or more seconds. You may hear squishing sounds, don't worry, this is normal.
Let your dog shake its head. A towel may come in handy to contain the splatter.
Once your dog seems finished shaking, use a dry cotton ball, guaze, or a soft cloth to gently dry out the ear canal.
Safety
Dont use hydrogen peroxide, a dog's ears have sensitive tissues that can be damaged.
Dont clean the ears TOO regularly. Overcleaning can cause irritation, so just clean the ears after an occasional bath.
Try to avoid touching the tip of the applicator to your dog's ear, this can cause bacteria to grow.
If you notice your dog has excessive itching or pain in their ears, or you suspect your dog may have an ear infection or mites, consult with your veterinarian before cleaning their ears.
