3 Natural Cleaners: How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears Naturally?

Did you know that ear infections are one of the top three reasons why people visit the vet? 

A dog’s ears are highly sensitive. They also make the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and fungi as they hide in the moist cracks and crevices. Dog ear infections aren’t pleasant–they hurt. A cheesy smell even accompanies some. 

So, what can you do to prevent them?

Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears can help prevent them. There are simple, effective, and easy ways to clean your dog’s ears naturally. In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to clean your dog’s ears naturally. 
Let’s get started.

Common Ear Issues in Dogs: Here’s What to Look Out For!

In this section of the article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common dog ear problems. 

Take a peek.

 1. Bacterial Ear Infections

The ears are hotbeds for dirt and bacteria. If left unclean for long, it isn’t uncommon for dogs to develop a bacterial ear infection.

Otitis externa is one of the most common ear issues in dogs. The disease affects your pooch’s ear canals and causes inflammation, making it painful and uncomfortable for your pooch.

The symptoms of this ear issue are easy to identify. These include the following:

• Excessively scratching the ears or head 
• Hesitation in letting you near his head or ears 
• Aggressive behavior if the ear is touched 
• Shaking the head 
• Occasional discharge and smell coming from the ear 

You’ll need to consult your vet to formally diagnose your pet. The treatment is pretty straightforward and doesn’t have many complications. You need to know how to clean out dog’s ears at home.

2. Ear Mites

Otodectes cynotis or ear mites are pretty common in dogs. These parasites find their way to your dog’s ears through close contact. So, if your dog has socialized with another or spent a few days at the boarding, the chances of him getting ear mites are pretty high. 

The parasites find their way onto your dog’s ear canal and are extremely uncomfortable. 

If not addressed in time, it can lead to additional complications, making the issue difficult to deal with. Common symptoms of ear mites include:

• Brown or black waxy secretion 
• Excessively shaking the head 
• Small brown particles that look like coffee grains around your pooch’s ears 
• Excessively scratching the ears and head 

Your vet will give you some ear drops and prescription ear cleaner to help get rid of the parasites for this condition. The sooner the diagnosis, the better it is for your pooch. 

3. Foreign Objects in the Ears

This is more common than you’d think. Since most people don’t clean their dog’s ears, they’re unable to find foreign objects lodged into the ear until it is too late. 

Now, dogs don’t have hands as we do, and can’t take these objects out! 

In most cases, grass seeds find their way into your pooch’s ears. The seeds have sharp tips that pierce the ear, causing pain. The symptoms of foreign objects inside a dog’s ear include:

• Shaking the head 
• Scratching the head and ear area vigorously 
• Inflammation around or inside the ear–sometimes accompanied by redness 
• Grass seeds around the ear 

Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears will help you come across these issues sooner and won’t cause much pain. 

4. Yeast Ear Infections

Fungal or yeast infections in dogs are also more common than you’d think. The infection affects the dog’s outer ear and is simple to treat once diagnosed. 

Common symptoms of yeast infections in dogs include:

• Waxy residue 
• Inflammation of the outer ear 
• Scratching the ear 
• Odor 
• Discharge from the ear–usually yellow, brown or bloody 
• Crusted skin
• Loss of hearing and balance 
• Shedding hair around the ears 

The vet will prescribe antifungal medication. Without complications, it only takes a couple of weeks to settle. Knowing how to remove wax from a dog’s ear is important. 

Regularly cleaning your pooch’s ears is a definite way to avoid these issues.

Here’s How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears Naturally

The number one way to prevent ear infections in dogs is to clean them regularly and keep a close eye on them. Most people would groom their dogs, but don’t actually clean their ears as often as they should. 

For most dogs, you should clean the ears at least once a week. 

In this section of the blog post, we’ll teach you how to clean out dogs’ ears naturally and share a few ways to do it. 

Take a look.

Basic Cleaning: Cotton Ball and Water

Wondering how to clean inside of a dog’s ears? 

This is a simple and easy way to do so. All you need is some lukewarm water and some cotton balls, and you’re ready to go!

• Put the cotton ball in the lukewarm water and drain it 
• Clean your dog’s ear by gently wiping it with the damp cotton ball 
• Check for odors and residue 
• This helps remove ear wax and is very gentle on your dog’s skin 
• Using a dry cotton ball, dry off the ears 

You should do this once a week to keep your pooch’s ears clean and healthy. This is simple, natural, and highly effective. 

Now, let’s look at some other common natural ways to clean your pooch’s ears.

The Wax Remover: Coconut Oil

If you want to learn how to clean inside a dog’s ears, this one’s for you! 

The damp cotton ball is a great choice for general ear cleaning and maintenance. However, if your dog’s ears have hard wax, this is something you should give a try. 

You must have heard about the oil cleansing method. 

This natural technique uses oil to gently remove the wax while moisturizing your dog’s ears. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s extremely good to keep unwanted ear infections away. 

Here’s what you need:

• Take some virgin coconut oil and bring it to room temperature 
• Take a cotton ball or washcloth and dip it in the coconut oil 
• Gently massage the inside of your dog’s ear with the oil and leave it on for a 2-5 minutes 
• The oil will gently dissolve all the wax, dirt and grime 
• Using a dry cotton ball, remove the oil from your dog’s ears
• If needed, you can use some lukewarm water to wipe your dog’s ear to remove all the dirt 

Leaving a bit of coconut oil on your dog’s ears will do him good. So, don’t worry about the residue! 

If your dog’s ears are prone to infection, you can use a few Frankincense essential oil drops to the coconut oil. It has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties and is safe for dogs to use.

But, only use a drop or two!

Combat Dry Skin With This Formula!

If you’re wondering how to clean out dogs ears naturally if your dog has dry skin, this is the perfect solution for your pooch. 

We use brewed chamomile tea for its anti-inflammatory properties, and it also helps combat dry skin. Virgin coconut oil gently removes all the dirt without stripping your dog’s ears off its natural oils. 
Here’s what you need to do:

• Brew some chamomile tea and bring it to room temperature–don’t add sugar or honey to it! 
• Using some virgin coconut oil, gently massage the inside of the dog’s ears–concentrate on areas with visible wax 
• Leave the oil on for five minutes to dissolve the dirt, grime, and wax 
• Using a clean cotton ball, remove the excess oil until you’re satisfied 
• Dip the cotton ball in the chamomile tea and gently wipe the insides of your dog’s ears with it 
• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and clean it using a damp cotton ball 

So easy, isn’t it?

You can also give peppermint tea a try as it works just as well. Make sure you don’t add sweetener to the brewed tea–it’s a common mistake pet parents make! Honey can be good for your dog’s ears but needs to be washed off.

All in All: How to Clean Out Dogs Ears Naturally

Did we cover everything you needed to know about cleaning your dog’s ears? 

Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of grooming. Your dog’s ear is structured in a way that makes it difficult for the dirt and grime to be naturally removed without assistance. 

Ear infections become common in dogs who don’t get their ears cleaned on a regular basis. 

So, to save your dog a lot of pain and some money in veterinary visits, you should regularly clean your pooch’s ears.