Ear care: look before you clean

The aim is to protect its comfort, with suitable care. Cleaning more does not mean caring better: excessive cleaning can irritate the ear canal. [1][2]

What should you look at?

Gently lift the ear flap and look at the visible part. Redness, an unusual smell, discharge, scratching or repeated head-shaking all justify seeing a vet. Pain when touched should also catch your attention. [1]

These signs do not allow you to make a diagnosis yourself. Before a show, avoid trying to mask a smell or to keep cleaning a sensitive ear.

Beginner: three tips to start off on the right foot

1. Get your dog used to little checks. Start by gently touching the ear flap, then briefly lifting it. Reward and progress according to its tolerance. This learning makes care easier when it becomes necessary.
2. Ask which product and how often suit your dog. Have your vet set the routine, especially if your dog has had ear problems before. Avoid homemade mixtures, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide in the canal. [1][2]
3. Use a soft pad or cotton wool, no cotton buds. To wipe the accessible parts, be gentle and don’t try to reach the bottom. Cotton buds can push debris further in and cause injury. [2]

Intermediate: three tips to master the care

1. Get shown the full cleaning. When it is indicated, cleaning can include applying an ear solution, gently massaging the base of the ear, then wiping away the accessible debris after the dog has shaken its head. Learn the movements with your vet and follow the product instructions. [2]
2. Keep the equipment clean. Prepare separate pads for each ear. Avoid letting the bottle tip touch the ear and don’t push it into the canal. These habits limit unnecessary handling and contamination of the equipment. [2]
3. Build the ears into your after-bath routine. Avoid directing water into the canals. Gently dry the ear flap if needed and ask your vet what care to plan after baths or swimming, depending on your dog’s history.

Advanced: three tips to prepare for the show

1. Schedule the necessary care before the final finishing touches. If cleaning is part of your usual routine, leave time for your dog to shake its head and for wiping away the product that comes out. Just before the ring, a simple look may be enough if the ears are clean and comfortable.
2. Decide on plucking with your vet. Hair in the ear is not, on its own, an instruction to pull it out. Have how to manage it assessed according to the dog and its history. Cosmetic touch-ups around the ear flap and care of the canal call for different decisions.
3. Follow the prescribed treatment when there is one. Don’t change the care to protect the coat styling or save time before the class. Some cleaners can interact with ear medication: have the vet specify the order and the interval between applications. [2]

When should you stop the session?

If your dog shows pain, stop cleaning and contact the vet. A red, swollen or painful ear must be examined before you carry on with care. [2]

A comfortable, well-monitored ear matters more than a perfect finish. Show preparation should stay pleasant for your partner.

Sources

• PDSA: Ear infections in dogs
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Ear Cleaning in Dogs