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How to clean dog ears

During the warm moments with dogs, we often pay attention to their lively ears, which are either raised high or gently drooping, swaying with changes in emotions, making them very cute.

During the warm moments with dogs, we often pay attention to their lively ears, which are either raised high or gently drooping, swaying with changes in emotions, making them very cute. However, beneath this adorable appearance, the dog's ears require our careful care. Ears are important organs for dogs to perceive the world, and keeping them clean is crucial for their health. Neglecting ear cleaning may cause discomfort or even illness in dogs, so learning to clean their ears correctly is an essential skill for every dog pooper.

From a professional perspective, the ear structure of dogs is significantly different from that of humans. Their external auditory canal is L-shaped, relatively narrow and curved, which makes it easy for earwax, moisture, and dust to accumulate deep in the ear canal and difficult to expel on their own. Earwax is a mixture of substances secreted by sebaceous glands in the ear canal and dust, dandruff, etc. Moderate amounts of earwax can protect the ear canal, but excessive accumulation of earwax can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to ear infections, inflammation, and other problems. When dogs have ear problems, they may frequently shake their heads, scratch their ears, and the hair around their ears may become damp and have a strange odor, which can even affect hearing in severe cases.

Preparing appropriate tools is crucial before cleaning a dog's ears. Firstly, a bottle of pet specific ear cleaning solution is needed. The formula of this cleaning solution is specifically designed for the physiological characteristics of dogs' ears, which can effectively dissolve earwax while maintaining the acid-base balance of the ear canal, without causing irritation to the dog's ears. Avoid using human ear cleaning products as their ingredients may not be suitable for dogs. You also need to prepare some cotton balls or soft gauze to wipe your ears. Be careful not to use cotton swabs, as their heads are too sharp and can easily puncture the ear canal when the dog does not cooperate.

The steps for cleaning a dog's ears are also very specific. Firstly, dogs need to adapt to being touched on their ears. In daily life, touch your dog's ears more often, gently rub the roots of the ears to make it familiar with this feeling, and reduce resistance during cleaning. When starting to clean, hold the dog in a quiet and comfortable place to keep it relaxed. You can speak softly to it, gently touch it, and relieve its tense emotions.

Drop an appropriate amount of ear cleaning solution into the dog's ear canal, usually 3-5 drops per ear. Then, gently rub the dog's ear base to allow the cleaning solution to mix thoroughly with the earwax, softening and dissolving the earwax. The kneading time is about 30 seconds to 1 minute. During this process, you may hear a "gurgling" sound coming from the ear canal, which is a normal phenomenon and indicates that the cleaning solution is working.

Next, gently wipe the dog's external auditory canal with a cotton ball or gauze. Starting from the entrance of the ear canal, gently wipe from the outside to the inside, being careful not to penetrate deep into the ear canal to avoid damaging the eardrum. Wipe gently and meticulously, removing any dirt and cleaning solution from the ear canal. If you find a lot of dirt on the cotton ball, you can replace it with a new one and continue wiping until the cotton ball is basically clean.

There are many precautions to remember when cleaning a dog's ears. Firstly, pay attention to observing the dog's reaction. If the dog shows pain, resistance, or discomfort, immediately stop cleaning and check for any improper handling. Some dogs may be resistant to the cleaning process due to previous unpleasant ear cleaning experiences, requiring more patience and comfort. The cleaning process can be divided into several times, cleaning a little bit each time, gradually allowing the dog to adapt.

The frequency of cleaning is also important. Generally speaking, healthy dogs need to clean their ears 1-2 times a week. But if a dog's ears are prone to getting dirty, such as those who frequently go out, have long hair, or already have ear diseases, the cleaning frequency can be increased appropriately. However, it should also be noted that frequent cleaning may damage the normal flora in the ear canal, leading to a decrease in ear resistance.

Dogs are the warmest companions in our lives, filling our lives with pure love and loyalty. The small act of cleaning our ears embodies our deep love for dogs. Every careful cleaning is a transfer of emotions between us and our dogs. Let us use professional knowledge and full love to care for every detail of our dogs, allowing them to grow up healthy and happy under our care. Whether on a sunny afternoon or a peaceful night, our attentive care can make the dog's world full of comfort and peace of mind. Let's become guardians of dog ear health together, accompanying them through every wonderful time.

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