A dog's ears aren't always something you think about when it comes to regular grooming, but they should be. Dogs can get dirt and debris trapped in the ear canal, or they may be prone to ear infections. Dogs with ears that stand up are more likely to get items inside of the ear canal while dogs with floppy ears may retain water in the ear canal, especially if they like to swim. To keep the proper bacteria-yeast balance in your dog's ears, regular cleaning and inspection can help.

1. Make It a Routine

If you haven't made ear cleaning a part of the regular grooming schedule for your dog, you'll want to start as soon as possible to make it a routine. This will make it easier for both you and your dog if he or she knows what to expect. Every week, you should check your dog's ears for signs that there may be a problem. The ear area under the flap, or pinna, should be a healthy pink and shouldn't have a foul odor. If your dog appears to be in pain when touching the ears, you notice excessive dirt or wax, your dog's ear canals appear to be red, or you notice an unusual odor, these are signs of an infection according to an article in the Canadian Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Science; you should consult with your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

2. Reduce the Risk of Infection

When a dog's ears are clean, there's less likely to be an infection. This is because dirt and excessive ear wax can be pushed inadvertently into the ear canal where it can become impacted. This leaves the perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast to grow. Compacted debris can also make it difficult to treat your dog in the case of an infection, so keeping the ears clean will make it easier to treat an infection should one arise.

3. Prevent Allergic Reaction

Dogs can have allergies just like humans can. If allergens, such as dirt or pollen, get into the ear canal, this can lead to inflammation in a susceptible pooch. When inflammation if present, the ear canal can become narrowed, increasing the chance of wax blocking the canal. In these conditions, wax can be a breeding ground for yeast or bacteria, increasing the risk of an infection. Veterinarian-approved cleaners can rinse out allergens before they become a problem.

4. Remove Dirt and Debris

If your dog plays outside on a regular basis, there's an increased risk of dirt, grass, or even twigs getting inside of the ear canal, especially if your dog has ears that stand up and leave the ear canal exposed. It's important to remove this dirt and debris to prevent it from getting deeper into the ear canal where it can lead to infection or even cause damage to the ear drum. While you don't want to clean your dog's ears more than once a week, you can check for debris more frequently and remove pieces near the edge of the canal with a cotton ball or gauze dipped in ear cleaning solution to prevent entry into the ear canal.

5. Keep Ears Clean and Dry

Regularly clean any dirt or wax that you see outside of the ear canal with cotton or gauze that's been moistened with ear cleaning solution. Whether from frequent baths or from playing in or around water, moisture can become trapped in the dog's ear canal, especially if he or she has floppy ears that cover the opening of the ear. Excess moisture drips easily into the ear canal. A warm, moist environment is more likely to lead to a yeast or bacterial infection. Choose a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner that dries quickly to keep moisture at bay.

Step by Step Instructions: How to Clean a Dog’s Ears

Only clean your dog's ears when necessary, but make sure that it's not more than once per week. Only use a solution that's approved by your veterinarian, as certain chemicals or homemade solutions can harm your dog. If you clean the ears too frequently, this can dry out the ear canal and may lead to damage or infection. Also, never use a cotton swab in your dog's ears as this can damage the ear drum or may pack dirt and earwax, increasing the risk of an infection.

1. Gather your supplies. You'll need to have damp cotton balls, cotton pads, or gauze, and a veterinarian-approved cleaning solution. You may also want to get some approved wet wipes that are specially designed for a dog's ears. To keep your dog entertained, you may want to include some favorite toys and some treats. If your dog isn't the cooperative type, you may want to get another person to help you to keep your dog still and calm.

2. Make sure your dog is comfortable. Some people like to sit behind their dog and hold the dog between their legs for steadiness. Those with large dogs might prefer to set the dog with his or her back end in a corner with one side against a wall or a piece of furniture. If you have another person available, they can assist in keeping the dog in the proper position while you complete the next steps. Remember, any time your dog seems uncomfortable, you may want to pause to reassure them or provide a treat.

3. Hold one of your dog's ears up. This will help to open the ear canal so that you can see inside better. This also helps to straighten the ear canal to allow the cleaning solution to get further in. You can examine your dog's ear for signs of problems at this point and determine if a cleaning is necessary. If you notice excessive ear wax, drainage such as pus, redness, or signs of pain, don't continue with the cleaning, and call your veterinarian for an appointment.

4. If there's no signs that a problem exists, you can wipe the ridges outside of the ear opening with cotton or gauze that's been moistened with cleaning solution. If no further cleaning is required at this time, dry the outer area of your dog's ear and continue to the other ear. If the ear canal needs cleaned out, proceed to the next step.

5. Get the cleaning solution ready. You may want to open the bottle prior to pulling up your dog's ear to reduce the amount of time you have to hold the ear up, putting less stress on your canine friend. Squeeze enough cleaning solution to fill the ear canal. It's okay if some comes out. Try not to let the tip of the bottle touch the dog's ear. If it does, clean promptly with a pad dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill any yeast or bacteria that could ruin the cleaning solution.

6. Keeping the ear flap up, gently push and rub the area directly below the ear canal. This is necessary to break up compacted ear wax and any debris that may be in the ear. Rub the area for about 30 seconds or for the amount of time recommended by your veterinarian.

7. Clean up any solution, debris, and wax that comes out of the ear with a cotton pad, cotton ball, or gauze. Allow your dog to shake his or her head as needed. As more wax and debris comes out of the canal, clean it up with another cotton pad, cotton ball, or piece of gauze.

8. Once you dog no longer needs to shake, you can remove the final bit of solution and debris with clean cotton or gauze. At this point, you can place a piece of cotton or gauze over your fingertip to clean just inside of the ear canal. Don't stick your finger in too far as this can push wax or dirt back inside of the ear canal. Be sure to gently pull any debris out rater than run your finger in a circular motion.

9. You may use specially designed wet wipes for the outer portion of your dog's ear, including beneath the pinna. Give your dog some treats or allow him or her to play with a favorite toy for a few minutes as you prepare your supplies to clean the other ear.

10. Switch your dog's position and get set up to do the other ear. Repeat steps 3 through 9 on the other ear. If at any point during the process your dog seems to be in pain, stop and consult your veterinarian. You should not clean your dog's ears if they are irritated or if there may be an infection as this could make the problem worse.

Step by Step Instructions: How to Apply Medication (drops) to a Dog’s Ears

If your dog has an ear infection or another problem that requires medicated treatment, you won't have to complete as many steps as if you were cleaning inside the ears. Follow any instructions given by your veterinarian if they aren't the same as the steps provided here. You can also begin treatment with medication right after cleaning your dog's ears or as directed.

1. Set up as if you were going to clean your dog's ears. Gently grasp the affected ear and pull it up. You want to be sure that the ear canal is open and straightened out as much as possible so that the drops can get all the way into the ear canal.

2. Without putting the tip of the bottle into the ear or touching the tip to the ear or ear canal, dispense the number of drops into the ear canal as directed by your veterinarian. If you happen to touch the tip to the dog's ear, clean the tip thoroughly with cotton dipped in alcohol to prevent the spread of yeast or bacteria within the medicine or on the tip of the bottle.

3. Be sure to keep the dog's ear up, and press on the area below the opening of the ear, moving it around slowly to evenly distribute the medication throughout the ear canal. You should do this for about 30 seconds or for the amount of time recommended by your veterinarian.

4. If the underside of the pinna needs to be treated as well, apply the recommended number of drops to this area and spread with a glove-covered finger. You can clean up any excess medication outside of the ear opening with cotton or gauze dipped in ear cleaning solution. Release the ear and give your dog a treat.

5. If both ears need to be treated, move on to the other ear. Repeat the process as you did with the first ear.

Remember, cleaning your dog's ears on a regular basis will make it easier and will help your pet to stay more comfortable. You'll be able to catch potential problems early, making treatment more effective.