Ear Cleaning

[jlynnholt]

HI everyone! I was just wondering what you guys use to clean your dogs ears? I heard alcohol but won't that hurt or burn? Any suggestions? Also how do you go about cleaning your dogs ears? I have tried with a cotton ball but it is not the greatest success!

 

[Stephj]

I got an ear cleaning solution from the pet store that is supposed to help breal up the wax. I also didn't have much success with the cotton balls, but I think the disc shaped cotton rounds (disc or square) work much better. They are a flat cotton pad, and can be found either by the cotton balls or in the makeup section.

 

[Gruntsmom]

Hi! I use an ear cleaning solution (you can get it wherever pet supplies are sold) on a cosmetic square. I soak the square, wipe the inside of Grunt's ears, and then the inside of the flaps. I've tried the cotton balls, too, but the squares work better in getting to all those little crevices. Grunt didn't like getting his ears cleaned in the beginning; "what is that smelly, wet thing you're putting in my ear?" Now, he sits nicely when he sees me getting the earcleaning stuff out. Of course, you know he's getting a treat for being such a good boy!

 

[Tatertot]

I use Q-tips. I worry because they are small. I dont want to hurt him.

But he hates having things in his ears. He does best with these because they are small.

I dont use any solution because he just wont tolerate it.

Usually, i have to get him in a headlock to clean his ears. He fights at first but if i talk to him, he calms down. Once its in, he totally relaxes (i think he likes it..) Its just hard getting it in. Maybe b/c it tickles when it touches the hair in there.

 

[owen's mum]

I use an ear cleaning solution from the vet that smells like melon and cucumber. It fits the cat well, but Owen smells like some big muscle bound boy who went to the spa :D . I use cotton balls, but I'm going to try the little disks next time. Cotton balls don't hold up well...

 

[Glenys]

When Cinda was younger, she got an ear infection and I used a solution from the vets with cotton tips, but for most of her life I've not done anything because her ears are so sensitive now. I sort of leave it to Zak, because he licks her ears for me. She loves that!

 

[gtntuf]

Brutus had an ear infection when he was younger and the vet showed me how to safely clean his ears. I buy solution from the vet and use cotton balls. Stretch out the cotton balls and roll them between your hands to make sort of a cotton stick. Then, I put the solution in Brutus's ears and twist the cotton stick down into his ear until I can't twist anymore to get it all back out. The vet said never to use q-tips cause you could puncture the ear drum. He said that using the cotton like this was much safer.

 

[Tatertot]

Stretch out the cotton balls and roll them between your hands to make sort of a cotton stick. Then, I put the solution in Brutus's ears and twist the cotton stick down into his ear until I can't twist anymore to get it all back out. The vet said never to use q-tips cause you could puncture the ear drum. He said that using the cotton like this was much safer.

Maybe I will try that next time. Doesnt the cotton untwist? Doesnt seem like cotton balls are very sturdy.

 

[gtntuf]

When you roll the stretched out cotton between your hands, it should cause it to twist up in one direction to form a more sturdy stick. As you are twisting the cotton down into his ear, make sure you go in the same direction as the twist of the cotton stick so that it doesn't untwist. It should twist all the way down into his ear to get all the gunk and cleaning solution out when you pull it back out. Don't untwist it back out-just pull it out. I hope I'm getting across the description of how to do this, it's kind of hard to type out.

 

[Mya's_Mom]

How often do you clean their ears?