Your veterinarian may recommend ear cleaning for your pet, whether an ear infection is being treated, or routine maintenance cleaning is something your pet needs. There are a few methods to clean your pet’s ears, two more common ones being outlined below:
Cleaning Methods:
1. Apply a generous amount of ear cleaning solution into the ear canal, OR soak a cotton ball (or portion of cotton ball, depending on the animal’s ear size) and place into ear opening. Massage the base of the ear to disperse the cleaning solution deep into the ear canal.
2. Use cotton ball to absorb excess solution from the ear canal and/or to gently wipe away any loose debris from the surface of the ear. We do not recommend using cotton swabs or Q-tips for cleaning as they can push wax further into the ear canal or damage the eardrum.
3. As a final step, allow your pet to shake its head to remove the solution. This is best done outside to prevent soiling carpet, walls, etc. If there is a lot of debris in the ear, you may have to repeat the application until the cleaning solution is clear of debris.
The frequency of cleaning will vary according to your veterinarian’s recommendations, such as: Daily OR every 2-3 days when treating for an active ear infection. Every 1-2 weeks for routine ear cleaning
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