How to Clean Dachshund’s Ears in 7 Simple Steps
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You know that your ears need regular cleanings, so why would your Dachshund’s ears be any different?
To keep up with their overall hygiene, you need to clean their ears, but you also need to do it the right way. The good news is that it’s easier than you think, and we highlighted everything that you need to know right here!
What You Need Before You Start
Before you get started cleaning your Dachshund’s ears, you need to ensure that you have all the supplies on hand. The good news is that you only need a few things.
However, keep in mind that we mention cotton balls here, not Q-tips or cotton swabs, as these can push debris farther back into your dog’s ear and lead to additional problems.
- Cotton balls
- Washcloth
- Dog ear cleaning solution
- Towel
- Dog treats
Now that you have all the supplies, it’s time to move on to the cleaning process, to get your Dachshund’s ears in tip-top shape.
The 7 Steps for Cleaning Dachshund’s Ears
1. Secure Your Dachshund
Most of the time, your Dachshund will want to move around while you’re trying to clean their ears, and this can lead to problems.
Find a way to secure them without putting too much pressure on them for the best possible results. Getting your dog comfortable with you touching their ears if they’re not already is essential, too.
2. Clean the Ear Flap
Before you start cleaning the inside of their ear, take the time to clean the outside of their ear flap. Use a damp washcloth for this job, and gently swab around the ear to clean up any crusty gunk or other debris.
Ensure that you’re wiping away from the opening during this process so you don’t accidentally push anything into their ear while you’re cleaning the ear flap.
3. Apply the Cleaning Solution
Now that you have the outside part clean, it’s time to use the cleaning solution. The exact application instructions might vary, depending on the product that you use. Our favorite dog ear cleaning solution simply has you fill the ear canal with the solution.
That’s how most of these products work, so you’ll need to hold your dog’s head still during this process. The solution won’t hurt them but it might feel uncomfortable. It’s also likely to surprise them the first few times, so they might try to move their head around.
4. Massage the Ear
Once the solution is in the ear canal, massage the ear to let it penetrate fully. You want a nice gentle massage, and this movement should help calm down your Dachshund. This gentle massage enables the cleaning solution to get everywhere that it needs to before you move on to the next step.
5. Give Your Dog a Moment
Before you continue cleaning everything out, give your dog a moment to shake themselves. It’s a natural instinct for your dog to shake to dry themselves, and it’s a fairly effective method for cleaning their ears. Give them a chance to do this before moving on to the next step. Not only will it make your job a bit easier, but your dog will also appreciate it.
6. Wipe/Dry the Ear
Now it’s time to use the cotton balls to wipe up and dry off the inside of your Dachshund’s ear. Wipe away from the inside of their ear canal, and don’t press down too far. Be careful with this step; if you push in too hard, you can damage your dog’s ears.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution, even if it means less-than-perfect results.
7. Give Them a Treat
Cleaning your dog’s ears is a stressful event for them. Give them something to look forward to at the end of things by giving them one of their favorite treats.
If they don’t already have a favorite treat, try these power bites that most dogs seem to absolutely love.
How to Know That It’s Time to Clean Your Dachshund’s Ears
Your Dachshund might have clean ears now, but it’s not going to stay that way forever. But how do you know when it’s time for another cleaning? The most common types of buildup inside your dog’s ears and the ones that you can actually clean out without a visit to the vet is ceruminous discharge. This discharge is dark in color and contrasts starkly with the soft pink appearance of the inside of your dog’s ears.
Once you start to see this build-up, it’s time for an ear cleaning to keep everything the way that it should be. If you don’t see anything for at least a month, you should clean out their ears, anyway, as a preventative measure, and check for anything in their ear canal that you can’t see.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to clean your Dachshund’s ears and how often you should do it, it’s up to you to get the necessary supplies to clean their ears. It’s not much work, and your pup will feel happier and cleaner once you finish the job!
- See also: How to Clean Corgi Ears: 7 Simple Steps
Featured Image Credit: DAndreev, Shutterstock
