Dog ear hygiene

Why is it important to clean your dog’s ears?

Dogs’ ears are different to human ears: the ear canal is “L” shaped, first descending vertically then forming a right angle towards the skull and ending at the eardrum.

This specific shape can cause ear wax to build up at the bottom of the canal, which cannot be cleared on its own. The build-up of wax, combined with the hot, moist environment of the ear canal, causes maceration and sometimes ear infections.

Furthermore, some breeds are more prone to maceration and ear infections: dogs with floppy ears (Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Setters, etc.), dogs with hair lining the ear canal (Poodle, Bichon, Shih Tzu, etc.) and dogs with a narrow ear canal (Shar Pei, French Bull Dog, etc.). Lastly, some breeds, such as the Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, are more prone to allergic disorders (atopy), which can sometimes present as recurrent ear infections.

In all cases, if your pet seems to be in discomfort (if they shake their head and scratch their ears) or if their ears are red, seek veterinary advice.

How often should you clean your dog’s ears?

If your pet’s ears do not often get dirty, once or twice a month is sufficient. If your pet often has dirty ears, clean them once a week. However, it is important not to clean them too often, so as to preserve the ear flora. If your pet’s ears are often dirty or if they have a foul odour, or your pet keeps scratching their ears, seek veterinary advice.