A weekly ear check should be part of basic pet care for your dog and cat. Usually, cleaning the ears is not always necessary that often but it is still good to inspect the ears regularly as problems like mites, infections, etc. can be detected at an early stage. Moreover, your pet will get well used to the procedure and for that, it will not mind it as much. Therefore, you should also start to get your pet used to routine procedures like cleaning the ears as early as possible so as puppy or kitten – it will make your life a lot easier later on when you need to do it!
The most common ear problems in dogs and cats are:
Prepare everything you need – ear cleaner (from your vet), cotton wool/pads, lukewarm water.
Step 2
Restrain your dog or cat properly – that way you reduce the risk to hurt him or her. Sometimes, especially the first times, it might be handy to have another person with you to restrain your pet. A cat can be even wrapped in a towel for restraining it (if it is particularly reluctant to get the procedure done), a (big) dog is often easily restraint between one person’s legs.
Step 3
Hold the tip of the ear between your thumb and forefinger. Then, you can slightly pull the ear up and back (or even fold back the ear) so that you can see the inner part of the ear.
Step 4
Look for signs of problems: redness, scabs, discharge, excessive dirt/cerumen (dark brown), blood, etc.
If you spot any of these symptoms, please book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Step 5
If the ear needs cleaning, moisten cotton wool in lukewarm water and gently wipe the ear. If there is more dirt further inside the ear, administer ear cleaner into the ear. For doing that, it is usually easier if you pull the ear slightly up and away from the pet’s head. Once the cleaner is administered, you should gently massage the base of the ear.
Step 6
Gently wipe the inside of the ear with cotton wool to remove excess ear cleaner/left cerumen.
Step 7
It is normal that your dog or cat would be shaking its head after the procedure. However, if it is still shaking its head excessively hours or days afterwards, please go to your vet to get it examined as there might be more severe problems behind it.
DO NOT USE COTTON BUDS TO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE EAR AS IT PUSHES DIRT, ETC. FURTHER DOWN INTO THE EAR!
Please ask us for advice and make sure you use the right cleaner/product and technique to clean your pet’s ears. Incorrect using of ear cleaning products or too late treatment can result in permanent damage of your dog’s and cat’s hearing!
The most common ear problems in dogs and cats are:
- Ear mites (more cats than dogs)
- Yeast infections (more dogs than cats), bacterial or fungal infections
- Allergies
- Foreign bodies
- Tumours
Prepare everything you need – ear cleaner (from your vet), cotton wool/pads, lukewarm water.
Step 2
Restrain your dog or cat properly – that way you reduce the risk to hurt him or her. Sometimes, especially the first times, it might be handy to have another person with you to restrain your pet. A cat can be even wrapped in a towel for restraining it (if it is particularly reluctant to get the procedure done), a (big) dog is often easily restraint between one person’s legs.
Step 3
Hold the tip of the ear between your thumb and forefinger. Then, you can slightly pull the ear up and back (or even fold back the ear) so that you can see the inner part of the ear.
Step 4
Look for signs of problems: redness, scabs, discharge, excessive dirt/cerumen (dark brown), blood, etc.
If you spot any of these symptoms, please book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Step 5
If the ear needs cleaning, moisten cotton wool in lukewarm water and gently wipe the ear. If there is more dirt further inside the ear, administer ear cleaner into the ear. For doing that, it is usually easier if you pull the ear slightly up and away from the pet’s head. Once the cleaner is administered, you should gently massage the base of the ear.
Step 6
Gently wipe the inside of the ear with cotton wool to remove excess ear cleaner/left cerumen.
Step 7
It is normal that your dog or cat would be shaking its head after the procedure. However, if it is still shaking its head excessively hours or days afterwards, please go to your vet to get it examined as there might be more severe problems behind it.
DO NOT USE COTTON BUDS TO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE EAR AS IT PUSHES DIRT, ETC. FURTHER DOWN INTO THE EAR!
Please ask us for advice and make sure you use the right cleaner/product and technique to clean your pet’s ears. Incorrect using of ear cleaning products or too late treatment can result in permanent damage of your dog’s and cat’s hearing!
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