Ear Cleanings

Cleaning Ears at Home

Why do we need to clean ears?

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather:

  • Cotton balls
  • Q-tips
  • Veterinary ear cleaner

Veterinary ear cleaner is available at our office. Contact us and our team can recommend an ear cleaner safe for your dog’s skin and tailored to allergy or skin concerns.

Cleaning the Ears

  • 1
    Soak a cotton ball with ear cleaner.
  • 2

    Place it in your dog’s ear canal and gently push it down into the canal. The unique L-shaped structure of a dog’s ear canal makes it safe to insert cotton balls deeper than you might expect – the eardrum is protected by the horizontal canal. For larger dogs, the cotton ball may go completely into the canal. This should feel gentle and not require force.

  • 3

    Massage the base of the ear for 10–15 seconds. You’ll hear a gentle squish as the cleaner and cotton ball agitate the debris deep in the canal.

  • 4

    Remove the wet cotton ball (you may need to gently fish it out with your fingers or tweezers if it went deep) and follow with a dry cotton ball to absorb moisture and debris.

  • 5

    Use a Q-tip to clean the visible outer folds and creases inside the ear. As demonstrated in our video, you can carefully use Q-tips in the visible portions of the canal to remove debris. Due to the canal’s shape, the eardrum is naturally protected and cannot be reached with a Q-tip when cleaning straight down.

  • 6

    Alternate wet cotton balls, dry cotton balls, and Q-tips until everything comes out clean.

  • 7

    Finish with a few dry cotton balls to ensure the ear canal is dry.

Pro-Tip: Let your dog shake their head between cotton balls. It helps pull debris from deep in the ear closer to the surface, making it easier to scoop out.

Applying Prescription Ear Medication

If your veterinarian has prescribed ear medication:

  1. Insert the applicator tip into the ear canal. Go as deep as the nozzle of the bottle allows.
  2. Apply a generous squeeze.
  3. Massage the ear base to coat the canal.

This ensures the treatment reaches both the vertical and horizontal ear canals, targeting the full area of infection.

When to Call My Best Friend Vet

Contact us if you notice:

  • Redness, odor, or discharge
  • Frequent head shaking or scratching
  • Pain when touching the ears
  • If you’re unsure about the technique after watching the video
  • If your dog is resistant or shows signs of pain during cleaning
  • If the debris has the color or consistency of coffee grounds

Our veterinary team can examine your dog, prescribe appropriate treatment, and recommend a long-term ear care plan. We take time to get to know you and your pet, demonstrating techniques in person and answering all your questions about ear infection treatment and preventive care.

Schedule an appointment with My Best Friend Vet in Olivette to discuss your pet’s ear health and allergy care. We’ll ensure your dog stays comfortable, healthy, and happy year-round.