Proper grooming plays an essential role in your pet’s wellness, which includes cleaning their ears. This can be a difficult area to care for because of sensitivity, but learning the right techniques will help keep your pet happy and healthy. Here, the caring veterinarians at Wahiawa Pet Hospital in Hawaii share their guide to cleaning pet ears. 

Inspection

As a general rule of thumb, inspect your pet’s ears at least once a week for any symptoms of irritation, infection, or parasites. Common signs include off-color discharge, wax build-up, and inflammation. This can help you detect any potential health problems before they progress and become more painful for your pet.

Preparation

Clean your pet’s ears in the bathroom or outside, so the mess is easy to take care of after. You will also need to purchase the proper cleaning tools, like cotton balls and an ear cleaning solution from your veterinarian or local pet shop.

Cleaning Techniques

The first step is to relax your pet by rubbing their belly or speaking with a soft tone. Pour the specialized ear cleaning solution in your pet’s ear and massage around the base. Your pet will then shake their head, which will loosen any debris inside. Clean inside the ear with a cotton ball—only where you can see to avoid injuring the eardrum—until there is no more wax on the cotton. Repeat for the other ear. Lastly, reward your pet with a treat so they think of the cleaning session as a positive experience.

Following the above steps will help prevent your pet from developing an ear infection. But if your pet has very dirty, blocked ears, you should seek a veterinarian’s expertise from the team at Wahiawa Pet Hospital. They offer a wide range of top-notch services for cats and dogs, from pet surgery and vaccinations to pet boarding. Call (808) 621-7000 today to make an appointment with a veterinarian, or visit the website for their full list of services.