Is a Human Ear Cleaner a Good Ear Cleaner for Dogs?
You should not put any medicated solution inside your dog’s ears that has not been checked and approved by a vet first. That includes ear cleaner that is meant for humans. Additionally, home remedies, particularly ones that involve vinegar (even diluted) should not be used in your dog’s ears. Some ingredients can further inflame the inside of the ear and result in more discharge.
Is it Safe to Clean Your Dog’s Ears?
Before you get started with cleaning your dog’s ears at home, it’s important to first check with your pet’s vet, after all, they’re the expert. Many store-bought cleaners can be harmful to your dog and asking your vet can help you know for certain which products are safe to clean their ears with (and if you should even clean them yourself!). Most likely, your vet will recommend cleaning your dog’s ears at home to help prevent them from itching and scratching themselves. While most vets will approve of cleaning your pet’s ears at home, it’s important to ask first before jumping in.
While it is commonly safe to clean your dog’s ears at home, it’s important to be careful of ear infections prior to cleaning. If your dog frequently shakes their head, vigorously scratches their ears, has swelling or redness in and around their ears, and/or has had ear discharge, then it is safe to say that your furry pal might have an ear infection. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, then you should not clean your dog’s ears yourself, instead, take your pet to the vet to get them checked out.
After asking your vet if it’s okay to clean your dog’s ears at home and ensuring that your dog does not already have an ear infection, then you have the green light to clean your dog’s ears at home.
Can I Get a Natural Ear Cleaner for Dogs, or Can I Make a Homemade Dog Ear Cleaner?
Searching for the best natural dog ear cleaner undoubtedly springs from the best intentions, as many loving pet owners worry about exposing their pooches to strong chemicals that are not “natural”. There are a multitude of products available to purchase or make yourself at home that claim to be organic dog ear cleaner. Often, they contain essential oils or products you can find in the kitchen.
It is not recommended to use such remedies. For instance, products containing vinegar, even if it is diluted, can irritate and inflame the skin inside your dog’s ear and create further problems. In fact, one study published in 2006 found that ear cleaners made on olive oil and other oils were ineffective in breaking up ear wax. Interestingly, saltwater solutions started to break up ear wax within 15-20 minutes.
Cleaning A Dog’s Ears – Veterinary Training
Ear cleaning is an important part of your dog’s grooming needs. Some dogs need more frequent ear cleaning than others. Dogs who are prone to ear infections often benefit from more frequent ear cleanings.
The structure of the dog’s ear canal makes it difficult for material trapped deep within the horizontal canal to be expelled without the assistance of cleanings. This material can lead to itchiness and ear infections if not removed.