Keeping your pup clean is pretty easy, whether you give them frequent baths, a little wipe down or treat them to a trip to the pooch parlour. But what about keeping clean the bits you can’t always see? Like the inside of those adorable ears?
Whether they're long and floppy, short and pointy or they haven’t quite grown into them yet, puppy ears sometimes need help keeping spick and span. This latest blog gives you a step-by-step process on how you can clean your puppy’s ears, why it’s important and how to make it a nice experience for you, and your pup!
The frequency in which you should clean your pup’s ears can depend on age, ear size and breed. As a younger pup, you’ll find you won’t have to clean their ears very often. However, it’s always good to introduce them to the process early so they can get used to it.
As your pup grows, you may find you have to clean their ears more often. However, generally speaking, cleaning your pup’s ears can be reserved as a once-a-month task. But of course, if you’ve had a more adventurous walk where they’ve been swimming or up to their ears in mud, it’s always good to wipe them and let them dry completely.
If your dog is a breed that’s prone to problems with their ears, you may have to clean and inspect their ears more often.
The breed of your pup could determine how much attention you pay to their ears, as some dogs are more prone to ear problems and infections. This may be down to the size and length of their ears, excessive hair growth or whether their breed is more prone to environmental allergies.
Breeds that are prone to ear problems include:
There are few telltale signs that your puppy’s ears could do with a good clean.
These include:
Ear cleaning can be a task and a half for some pups, especially if they haven’t been exposed to it from a young age or are already quite nervous.
When attempting to clean your pup’s ears for the first time, there are a few things you can keep in mind to ensure you’re making it as positive as possible and alleviating stress every time the ear wash comes out.
To help ensure a happy pup during ear cleaning, you could consider;
When finding the right treats for your puppy, you should opt for puppy-friendly high-reward treats like cooked sweet potato, pumpkin puree or small chopped-up pieces of bell pepper or broccoli.
For puppies 12 weeks’ and up, try our Meaty Treats Taster Pack! Giving you three packs of treats to sample, all are packed with top-notch ingredients that can help provide a variety of functions like helping chill out nervous pups, and keeping teeth clean and coats shiny. Chicken and meat allergies? No worries! Our Peanut Butter Probiotic Nutty treats have an irresistible taste and are a great vegan alternative.
There are a few tools, products and accessories you will need before diving into your first ear-cleaning session with your puppy.
For a successful puppy ear cleaning session, you’ll need:
Remember to never use cotton buds or Q-tips in your dog's ears, as you run the risk of going too far into your dog’s ear canal and causing damage or infection. If you have any concerns about allergies or intolerances to ear cleaning solutions, always contact your vet for further advice.
If you’re feeling like your pup is old enough and ready for their first ear clean, follow these steps to ensure squeaky clean ears and a happy pup!
Before you try cleaning your puppy’s ears yourself, always ask a vet to check them over so you won’t worsen anything that might already be wrong.
If despite early training and lots of positive reinforcement your puppy’s still not loving an ear cleaning, make an appointment at your vet. They can give them a once over, a clean, or offer any advice to ease your puppy into ear cleaning at home.
If during cleaning you find something that doesn’t look right in your puppy’s ear, always be sure to seek veterinary advice. Ear infections can be very common, especially in some breeds, so it’s always important to keep an eye out for signs so they can receive the right treatment.
Signs of ear infections can be similar to that if they just need a good clean, but if shaking and scratching are accompanied by the following, it’s best to book an appointment asap:
Ear mites are a potential cause of infection, especially in young pups, and need to be treated via your vet. Ear mites can cause excessive scratching, red and inflamed inner ears and wax that resembles coffee grounds. If you spot any of these symptoms, seek advice from your vet.
Keeping up with your puppy’s ear cleaning is just one of the important things you can do to ensure a happy and healthy pup! It seems like the list of responsibilities you have as a pup parent is never-ending. But that’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way, whether that’s ensuring a top-notch puppy food diet, or giving expert puppy advice.
To view more puppy advice, check out our Puppy Hub that’s packed with answers, advice and expert tips and tricks.
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