Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Cleaning your dog's ears should be part of your regular pet care routine. If neglected, dog's ears can become itchy and bothersome to your pet, and ultimately painful and infected.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, in particular, have a tendency to develop 'musty' smelling ears since their long, silky ears minimize air circulation and tend to trap moisture and dirt in their ear canal. 

Have you noticed that your dog's ears smell different when they are clean than when they are filled with dust, dirt and wax build up? Don't wait for your Cavalier King Charles to start shaking his head or scratching to tell you there's a problem.  Check your pet's ears regularly with a small flashlight, and take a good whiff!

Caring for your dog's ears is quite easy. Buy a alochol-free, non-irritating ear wash made specifically for dogs. Pull back your dog's ear, moving the hair out of the way. Insert the tip of the bottle of ear wash into his ear canal. Squirt enough solution into your pet's ear to partially fill the ear canal.  Massage the base of your pet's ear for a few seconds to help dislodge ear wax and debris. Then, use a cottonball or pad to wipe away the excess liquid and dirt. Repeat until the cottonball comes away clean.

Alternatively, wet the cottonball with ear cleaning solution and insert into your dog's ear. Gently move the cotton ball around to massage the ear canal and wipe away dirt and ear wax.