- Check your dog’s ears regularly – every day if possible
- Clean your dog’s ears at least twice a week to keep on top of wax and debris
- Don’t clean your dog’s ears more often than this – it can cause irritation and ear problems, exactly what you’re trying to avoid!
- Contact your vet if you’re concerned about anything or suspect your dog has an ear infection as you usually need medication to get rid of it
What to use to clean a dog’s ears
- Ear cleaner – never use human products, they must be specifically for dogs. We recommend our wonderful partner brand’s product: Beaphar Ear Cleaner.
“Beaphar Ear Cleaner is specially formulated to aid the removal of wax and other debris from the ear canal of dogs (and cats). It is gentle in action and does not irritate the ear. Since clean ears are less attractive to ear mites, its regular use will make it unlikely that your pet will get ear mite problems. Beaphar Ear Cleaner should be used twice weekly to prevent the build-up of wax and other debris in the ear canal.” – Beaphar
How to clean your dog's ears
Step 1
Get your products ready and make sure your dog is settled either standing or sitting next to you or on your lap.
Step 2
Lift up the ear flap so you can see the ear canal and check it for any redness, discharge or bad smell. After you’ve done this a few times, you’ll be able to recognise any anomalies. If there is any cause for concern, contact your vet immediately.
Step 3
You should be able to see a small amount of light brown wax. To remove the ear wax from your dog’s ear, follow the instructions on your chosen dog ear cleaner. If you are using Beaphar Ear Cleaner, prime the pipette and squeeze 6 – 8 drops at the entrance to the ear canal. Gently massage the ear from the outside to help the cleaning process. Use a cotton pad or Beaphar Cleansing Wipes to wipe away any excess ear wax and cleaning fluid.
"Dog owners may want to keep Beaphar Cleansing Wipes to hand, as they are ideal on the ears and eyes for a quick clean-up or after a walk, before mud is trodden into car or household upholstery.” – Beaphar
Please avoid putting anything down the ear canal as this can damage the ear lining and eardrum. Only wipe the areas you can see.
Step 4
Repeat this process for the other ear.
Step 5
Once you are done, be sure to give your dog a treat and lots of fuss! Keep checking your dog’s ears every day and you’ll soon become familiar with what your pup needs.
Ear mites in dogs
Ear mites can cause irritation and be very uncomfortable for your pup. These parasites feed on ear wax and skin oils in your dog’s ear canals.
Ear mites cannot hop or jump but can crawl from host to host and are most commonly found in dogs and cats, but are difficult to spot. As you clean the ear, you may see them – they resemble tiny white dots.
If left untreated, ear mites can cause secondary ear infections and lead to a host of problems for your family pet.
What are the signs of ear mites?
- Scratching, itching and rubbing of the ears
- A smelly odour coming from the ear canal
- Skin irritation and inflammation around the ears
- Skin problems around the ears including scabs and dermatitis
- Black or brown discharge
- Dark debris in the ear canal
- Head shaking
- Fur loss around the ears
“Should your dog get ear mites, Beaphar Ear Drops are a licensed veterinary medicine, based on pyrethrum, a natural insecticide grown in Kenya, which kills ear mites. It also softens wax, soothes irritation, and assists healing. It can also be used on cats.” – Beaphar
Keeping your dog’s ears clean
Prevention is always better than the cure, so keep your dog’s ears clean to ensure every part of your pup is in tip-top health!
It’s worth beginning ear cleaning when your dog is young, as your pup will then be used to it when they get older. If your four-pawed pal is unfamiliar with ear cleaning, get them ready by touching their ears, playing with them and giving them treats so that they learn to associate ear cleaning with positive things.
And don’t forget, regular checks are important! The more familiar you get with the inside of your dog’s ear, the sooner you’ll recognise if something is wrong.
Treat your pup to a UK holiday!
After all that kerfuffle, we think you and your dog need a holiday! Browse our pet-friendly cottages and find a property to suit you.