Dog Hates Ear Cleaning

Cleaning a dog’s ears is sometimes a necessary evil. But if you train your dog and are patient and rewarding, over time your dog may begin to understand that ear cleanings and drops are for their own good.

Dog Hates Ear Cleaning

As much as you love a spa day, dogs are generally NOT big fans of bathtime. This goes double when you try to clean out their ears. For most dogs, you really don’t need to clean their ears unless there is a problem, such as an infection. But if you cannot clean their ears because they are sore and infected, you may get stuck in a vicious cycle. If your dog goes through the roof when it’s time to clean their ears, this article will help you figure out why.

Why Does My Dog Hate Having His Ears Cleaned?

Dogs’ ears are larger than ours, and in certain breeds, prone to infection. There is usually no reason to clean your dog’s ears unless they have a foul smell, or if your dog is showing other signs of infection, like scratching. If your dog gets frequent ear infections they may associate you cleaning their ears as the source of pain, not the cure for it. Your dog’s ears may also be sore, and cleaning them could irritate them further, which is why your dog avoids it at all costs.

Should I Pull Off Ear Hair If My Dog Keeps Scratching Its Ears?

No. The hair inside of a dog’s ear is crucial for their health– it prevents dirt and debris from entering the ear canal and causing infection. If your dog is shaking their head a lot and scratching their ears, it is best to take them to the vet.

Dog Shaking Head After Ear Cleaning?

Is Fido shaking his head a lot after ear cleaning? That’s a good sign! Dogs shake their heads to rid their ear canals of water. If your dog is shaking his head a bit after cleaning, he is just naturally drying his ears. After your dog is done shaking, gently remove any fluid left in their ear with a towel or gauze, but only on their outer ear. Going any further than your first knuckle could hurt your dog and/or damage their hearing.

Dog Hates Ear Drops?

If you have ear drops for your dog, either as a preventative measure or prescribed by your vet, you may find applying them challenging. Some dogs really hate ear drops, usually because their ears are already raw and sore from infection and scratching. If that is the case what you need to do is train your dog to see drops as a good thing, read on to learn more.

Dog Tries To Bite When Cleaning Ears?

If your dog gets aggressive during ear cleaning, it might require more than just training. If you feel you are at risk struggling with an aggressive dog, it is best to seek professional help. Your vet will be able to sedate your dog for ear cleaning and infection treatment. It is possible that your dog’s ears will be less sore after, and therefore easier to manage. Your vet may also suggest oral antibiotics first, so that the dog’s ears will be less painful to handle.

Should We Sedate The Dog To Clean Ears?

If your dog’s ear cleaning is causing everyone stress, ask your vet if your dog is a good candidate for sedation. Your vet may suggest your dog be sedated for ear cleaning, or might have a less extreme option, such as restraining your dog or giving them oral antibiotics as opposed to topical.

How Much Does Anesthesia Cost For Dog Ear Cleaning?

Cost for dog anesthesia can vary. This is because there are several factors that contribute to the cost of dog anesthesia– such as dog size, weight, age and overall health. It is impossible to know how much anesthetic will be needed until your dog is assessed by a veterinarian.

What Is The Best Dog Ear Cleaner?

Be wary of any store-bought dog ear cleaner. Most dogs do not need their ears clean unless they are stinky, itchy, or oozing, and over cleaning your dog’s ears can lead to infection instead of causing it. If your vet suggests you clean your dog’s ears, ask them for a product recommendation, so they can give you something specific to your dog’s ear problem. Avoid anything with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which stings even healthy skin and teaches your dog to associate ear cleaning with pain.

Can I Use Baby Oil To Clean Dogs Ears?

No. Dogs’ ears are very sensitive, and baby oil has perfume in it that contains alcohol– which could irritate their already irritated inner ear. If your dog’s ears aren’t infected, just waxy and dirty on the inner flap, consider gently wiping them with a solution of 50/50 water and vinegar.

How Do I Get My Dog To Sit For Ear Cleaning?

To teach your dog to sit still for ear cleaning, it is best to start young. Gently handling and rubbing their ears when they are a puppy can help show that you touching their ears is not a bad thing. If it is already too late for that, start by getting your dog to sit at your feet and gently lift their ear. Give them a treat every time they allow you to lift their ear, and they will begin to associate the act with something positive.

How Do You Put Ear Drops In Uncooperative/Aggressive/Difficult Dog?

If your dog is uncooperative and not responding to training, you may have to take your dog to the vet to have their ears cleaned. Your vet will have more resources to deal with your dog’s anxieties such as sedatives, etc.

What Is The Brown Stuff In My Dog’s Ears?

If your dog’s ears are looking gunky and brown, the answer is simple– ear wax! Dogs’ ears can get waxy just like ours do. If your dog’s ears are just waxy, and not infected, you can rinse them out with a 50/50 white vinegar and distilled water solution, rubbing the base of the ear gently to break up any wax. Your dog will shake their head right after, and you can gently dry the area with gauze or a cotton ball.

Do Groomers Clean Dogs Ears?

Yes, a groomer will clean out a dog’s dirty ears. They will not, however, be able to treat an ear infection. You will need to go to the vet if you suspect your dog’s ears are infected.

Can I Use Baby Wipes To Clean My Dog’s Ears?

No. Dogs’ ears are very sensitive and if the baby wipes contain alcohol, it could do more harm than good.

How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?

Unless your veterinarian suggests otherwise, you only need to clean your dog’s ears if they smell funky or look waxy. Over-cleaning of dogs’ ears can actually have the opposite of the intended effect by breaking down natural barriers and making them more susceptible to infection.

What Happens If Dog Ear Infection Goes Untreated?

Any infection has the potential to be life threatening if it goes untreated, especially infections so close to the brain. Untreated ear infections are also a leading cause of deafness in dogs. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, it is best to get it looked at by a vet before it gets worse.

How Can I Treat My Dogs’ Ear Infection Without Going To The Vet?

There is no DIY way to treat a dog’s ear infection, it can only be treated with medication from a veterinarian. Prolonging treatment can cause fevers, deafness,and even death.

Is It Important To Clean My Dog’s Ears?

Depends on the dog. If your dog’s ears are prone to infection, regular cleanings could help prevent recurrent infection. Ear cleaning might also be useful if your dog’s ears are itchy, waxy or smelly. Ask your vet what products they recommend, either ear wash or drops, for your specific dog because not all products are one size fits all. For example, ear wax removal drops would not be beneficial to a dog prone to fungal infection.

How Do I Know If My Dog Needs Its Ears Cleaned?

Checking if your dog needs their ears cleaned is easy. If your dog is scratching their ears a lot, take a look. If the skin looks red and irritated, or dirty and brown, your dog’s ears may need to be cleaned. Also give their ears a smell– yes, you read that correctly! Infected or soon to be infected ears have a funky smell, which is an indicator your dog needs their ears cleaned.

Simple Steps To Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears [To Make It Easier On Both You And The Dog]

Step One– Have your dog sit at your feet. If necessary, bribe your dog with a tasty treat.

Step Two–Grab the outer flap of your dog’s ear (this is the part of the ear that sticks up on a German Shepherd Dog) and gently lift it away.

Step Three– Pour your veterinarian recommended cleanser into your dog’s ear canal, until you can see liquid rising.

Step Four–gently massage the base of your dog’s ear. This helps the cleanser spread and loosens up wax and debris.

Step Five– Allow your dog to shake it out!

Step Six– Gently wipe away any excess with a cotton ball or gauze. Do not use a q-tip, as it could damage your dog’s ear.

How Long Will It Take To Clean My Dog’s Ears?

It should take about five minutes to clean your dog’s ears, but it may take longer if your dog is uncooperative.

Why Does My Dog Hate When People Touch His Ears?

A dog’s refusal to allow anyone to touch their ears or head is referred to as “head shyness.” This has many causes. If your dog is especially head shy around their ears, it could be that their ears hurt them. It could also be that when your dog was younger someone yanked on their ears, and the experience was painful and traumatizing. Head shy dogs also often don’t see well, and may panic at any motion towards their head they cannot identify.

Why Does My Dog Bite Me When I Try To Treat Him With Ear Drops?

If your dog is aggressive when you apply ear medication, it may be because their ears hurt them and the drops are painful. Ask your vet if your dog needs oral antibiotics before drops to make the ear less painful to handle.

Why Do Dogs Go So Crazy When You Blow Their Ears?

Dogs and cats both hate when you blow on their ears and face. There are three reasons for this: one is that it is a strange and unpleasant sensation. Two is that dogs and cats ears are more sensitive than ours, making the loud sound extra unpleasant, and three– dogs don’t like their personal space being invaded. It is not a good idea to blow on your dog’s ears not just because they don’t like it, but also because they might be startled into biting your face.

What Are Some Easy Ways You Can Unclog Your Dog’s Ears?

If your dog’s ears are clogged with wax but not infected, try rinsing them out with a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and distilled water, rubbing your dog’s ear gently to dislodge the wax. However, this will not fix the problem if your dog has an ear infection. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, take them to the vet.

What Should I Do If My Dog Has Water In His Ears?

Lots of dogs love to swim, especially poodles and retrievers. But your dog getting water in their ear is nothing to worry about– your dog will shake it out on his own. If the ear continues to bother them long afterwards, consider taking your dog to the vet.

How To Make A Diy Dog Ear Cleaner (Is It Safe)?

There is no DIY option to clean out an infected or potentially infected ear. Dogs with an ear infection should be taken to the vet. However, if your dog’s ears are just waxy or dirty, you can clean them out with a DIY solution of 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar.

How Do I Train (Counter Condition / Desensitize) My Dog To Not Hate Ear Cleaning?

Step One: It is probably too late for this, but it is best to get your dogs used to handling their ears and paws when they are young. Gently rub their ears and paws when they are young, and your dog won’t be as stressed about nail trims and ear cleaning.

Step Two: To desensitize a reactive dog, first have your dog sit at your feet, sitting as you would to clean their ears. Gently lift and/or touch your dog’s ear. If they let you do it, give them a treat.

Step Three: Repeat, repeat, repeat. Patience and consistency are key with dog training. Hopefully over time your dog will allow you to apply ear medication without a fuss.

What Not To Do With A Dog Who Hates Ear Cleaning?

A dog who is really struggling with ear cleaning can be very frustrating. It can also be dangerous if your dog becomes aggressive. Don’t struggle with your dog needlessly. If you feel cleaning your dog’s ears would do more harm than good, talk to your vet about sedatives.

Should You Comfort A Dog Hates Ear Cleaning?

Yes! A little bribery doesn’t hurt either. Getting treats after an ear cleaning can help make a dog easier to deal with next time.

What Exactly About Ear Cleaning Does My Dog Hate (The Smell? Noise? Sounds? Feeling?)

The short answer is: dogs think ear cleaning is weird. There is no situation in the wild where a dog would have liquid squirt into their ear. They are startled by the strange sensation and freak out, but they can learn it is nothing to be afraid of.

 

 

REFERENCES

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-and-training-cleaning-ears

https://gardneranimalcarecenter.com/how-to-clean-your-dogs-ears

https://www.rover.com/blog/diy-dog-ear-cleaner/