vet-n-pet DIRECT

Cleaning your dog's ears is an essential part of their grooming routine. It removes excess ear wax and debris which can build up inside the ear and on the outer ear. Ear irritation, either from an allergy or wax and/or debris build-up, can lead to the ear canal becoming infected. Knowing how to clean your dog's ears easily and effectively will help reduce the stress for both you and your dog. Here are some helpful tips on how to clean your dog's ears using a gentle massage technique. 1/ You will need a specially formulated ear cleanser, (we like PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner or EpiOtic Skin & Ear Cleaner) and 6-10 cotton balls, cotton wool or gauze swabs). 2/ Be prepared, have all equipment within arms reach. If you can not hold and clean your dog's ears on your own, have someone help hold them or secure them safely. 3/ Saturate half of the cotton balls with ear cleaning fluid. 4/ Gently place a wet cotton ball into the ear canal. Massage the ear and cotton ball from the outside for 10-20 seconds. This will help spread the ear cleaner and loosen up ear wax and debris. Your dog may want to shake their head, that's ok. 5/ As you remove the cotton ball from the ear rub it around cleaning the skin around the ear canal and inside the ear. 6/ Using a dry cotton ball repeat the massage process and wipe the ear clean and dry. This will absorb a lot of the cleaning fluid leaving the ear canal as dry as possible at the end of the cleaning process. 7/ Alternate wet and dry balls until the balls come out clean. 8/ Repeat the process on other ear ü Look inside your dog's ears on a regular basis to check for any foreign bodies, discharge, injury and to check cleanliness. ü If you ever see your dog continually shaking their head, rubbing or scratching their ear/s or if there is any redness, heat, swelling or discharge from the ear you should take them to see a vet. ü Most dogs would benefit from a monthly ear clean but some may need more regular cleaning. ü The best place to clean your dog's ears is either outside or in the bathtub or the laundry sink. They are likely to shake their head which sometimes spreads ear cleaner everywhere – so stand back. ü Treats make everything better! Giving your dog a small treat at the start, throughout and/or at the end of the process will help make it a positive experience. Visit the vet-n-pet DIRECT YouTube channel to see resident vet Dr Glenn clean his dog's ears. TOP TIPS How to clean your dog's ears

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