Ear Cleaning

[kimi]

I tried to find this -but couldn't. What do you use to clean their ears? I know there are many products out there, but was wondering if there is anything from home that would do the job. I looked at the ingredients, and it appears alcohol is the main ingredient. Does anyone dilute alcohol and water maybe to do this?

[Jax's Mom]

This is probably a big no-no but I just use regular ultra soft Kleenex
If I see some buildup in their ears I grab a tissue, wrap it around my index finger and wipe the inside of the ear. (Just don't ball it up or they'll go deaf hehe). I used to buy the expensive drying stuff from the vet but Jax hates the smell (or associates it with liquid in his ear) and runs the other way when I start setting up. Ever since I started using Kleenex his ears have been infection free.

[Elaine]

Ear cleaner is very cheap and is already made for what you want, so I just buy some. There are some people that make their own and it's some sort of blue liquid. You could probably do a search for it here. The important things are that it's drying and not too harsh on the ears.

[zone9alady]

I was using ear wipes I got from the pet store. My vet said that's a waste of money. Use 50/50 white vinegar and tepid water. Slowly pour in ear canal and rub base of ear gently (20 seconds) to loosen dirt. Then let dog shake it out, (best to do outside) LOL!

Then I dry off ears with soft tissue. I do this once every week or two depending on how dirty his ears get.

[JKlatsky]

I buy ear cleaner from my vet. It's not expensive, only about $8 for a bottle.

I just squeeze it in, rub the ear for about 30 seconds and then let them shake it out. I have one that hates the sound of the bottle in the ear, so I saturate a cotton ball with the solution and place it in the opening of the ear (not shoved down) and then close and rub which squeezes the solution into the ear and then they just shake the cotton ball out.

I have also heard that diluted apple cider vinegar is an excellent ear cleaner and the acid in the vinegar helps keep bacteria from growing.

[Gib Laut]

for normal cleaning purposes, use a mix of up to 50% organic apple cider vinegar (Bragg's is what I use) and 50% non-chlorinated, non-fluoridated water; can use as low as 1 part ACV to 3 parts water.....non drying and works wonders.....I emptied one of those insanely expensive ear cleaner bottles I had bought from a vet many moons ago and use this mix instead.

[doggiedad]

i just checked my dogs ears and they're clean.
my dog is 3 years old and i only remember
cleaning his ears once.

if i saw heavy build up i would take him to the Vet
for ear cleaning.

[Taylor]

I usually just grab a baby wipe and wipe away. Gentle but clean.

[Zoeys mom]

I use a solution of 20% vinegar, 10% peroxide, and 70% water washing monthly since my dog clean each other's ears as it is. I squirt only a little in, massage, and wipe with a thin wash cloth

[Ellie]

I bought cleaner from the pet store, and it was fairly cheap. You just put in only like 5 drops and then squish the ear around to loosen the buildup. Then the dog will shake its head. Only do it once a month (or less, because I forget) and it seems to work just fine.