How to Clean Shih Tzu Ears: 14 Vet-Reviewed Tips
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Ear cleaning is an essential task every dog owner should get comfortable doing. Learning how to do it yourself saves you money and also makes your dog more comfortable with the process as opposed to having a stranger do it. We won’t lie to you, though; it can be a challenge, especially with breeds like Shih Tzus.
Like other long-eared breeds, Shih Tzus may be prone to ear infections. Their ears can get gunky, so the sooner you get comfortable cleaning their ears, the better.
Keep reading to find our tips on how to clean your Shih Tzu’s delicate ears.
The 14 Tips for Cleaning Shih Tzu Ears
1. Check for Any Signs of Infection
The first step should be examining your dog’s ears to look for signs of infections or ear mites. Are there black specs that look like black pepper? Are the ears red or swollen anywhere? Is there a strong scent coming from the ears? Do you notice a black or yellowish discharge? If so, there is a chance your pup may have developed an ear infection or ear mite infestation.
Don’t waste any time once you recognize these signs. An ear infection can put your dog in a lot of pain and discomfort that they won’t be able to control themselves. Therefore, your pup should be seen by your vet as soon as possible for treatment.
2. Set the Stage
Before starting the ear cleaning process, prepare the supplies you’ll need, including:
- Cotton balls
- Ear cleaning solution
- Towel
You should also spend a few minutes with your pup, calming and soothing them before you get down to business. Give them a good tummy or back rub, and speak to them in calm, gentle tones.
3. Choose the Right Cleaner
There are a ton of ear cleansers on the market, but we like Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Dog Wipes because they eliminate the need for cotton balls. In addition, these single-use finger-shaped wipes slide onto your finger, making them simple to use. We also recommend Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner, designed for sensitive ears. The non-irritating solution removes debris and excess wax and has a low pH, so it won’t interfere with other ear products.
Stay away from products containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these ingredients can irritate your pup’s sensitive ears. You can also ask your vet for cleaner recommendations.
4. Be Prepared for the Squirmies
If your Shih Tzu isn’t particularly fond of the ear-cleaning process, you’ll need to be prepared to deal with a squirmy pooch. We recommend wrapping a bath towel around their body from the neck down. Put the legs inside the towel as well. This is similar to swaddling a newborn baby and should soothe your wiggly pet.
You should also have their favorite treats on standby in case your pup remains calm and cooperates.
5. Look for Hairs
Look inside your dog’s ear for any little hairs. Shih Tzu hair continually grows in the ear canal, which can be problematic if it is combined with ear wax. If there are some hairs you think may make cleaning the ears difficult, gently pluck them. If you are unsure how to safely do this, it might be best to take your dog to the vet or groomer, but the sooner they are removed, the less likely they will become a problem.
6. Clean the Ear
Once all the stray hairs have been contended with, you’ll need to hold your Shih Tzu’s ear flap up slightly and squeeze a few drops of the cleaning solution on your dog’s inner ear flap close to the opening.
Using a cotton ball, wipe off any excess ear wax or debris from your pup’s ear. Dip the ball in an ear-cleaning solution designed specifically for dogs’ ears.
Make sure you use a different wipe or cotton ball for each ear. You might need to use several wipes for dirty ears.
7. Massage the Ears
Squeeze the cotton ball to allow a bit of solution to run into the ear canal, then try to gently massage the base of your dog’s ear for 20 to 30 seconds to loosen up any stubborn dirt. Then, wipe away the debris with a clean cloth or cotton ball.
8. Do Not Enter the Ear Canal
Putting anything too far into your Shih Tzu’s ear is dangerous. The risks range from causing a blockage to rupturing the eardrum, causing severe pain and damage. This is why we do not recommend using a cotton-tipped applicator (a.k.a. a Q-tip) when cleaning dog ears. You can only use cotton swabs safely if you limit them to hard-to-reach crevices of the external ear flap, never in the ear canal. The swabs can push debris farther into your pup’s ear canal and put the eardrum’s integrity at risk.
9. Speak Calmly
During the entire ear-cleaning process, speak quietly and calmly to your dog for reassurance. This can keep anxiety levels to a minimum and make the job much easier for you and your pup.
10. Consider Chews
If your dog hates getting their ears cleaned but is overdue for a cleaning, you might need to take alternative measures to make the process easier and less stressful.
Try offering a calming chew to reduce anxiety levels. PetHonesty’s Calming Hemp Chews are one of our favorites, as they promote relaxation without making your pup drowsy.
11. Don’t Discourage Ear Shaking
Your dog will probably want to shake their ears after you start cleaning them. Let them shake their head to their heart’s content, as this will help shake out any remaining debris while removing any leftover cleaning solution.
12. Dry the Ears
Don’t forget to dry your dog’s ears at the end. Use a dry, clean cloth to ensure there’s no moisture left. Any damp environment can lead to yeast overgrowth and ear infections. The entire ear should be dry.
13. Give Rewards for a Job Well Done
After cleaning is done, don’t forget to reward your pup for being such a good boy or girl. Offer them their favorite treats and plenty of verbal praise to help them make positive associations with ear cleaning. Of course, there’s a good chance your Shih Tzu won’t be eagerly jumping into your lap for their next ear clean, but providing a reward afterward is the least you can do.
14. Don’t Be Too Proud to Call in the Pros
There may come a time when your dog’s ears are so dirty that you don’t feel confident handling the cleaning yourself. That’s completely fine. Professional dog groomers clean ears all the time as part of their services and will be happy to help you with this job. Groomers also know exactly what to look for in terms of medical issues to report to a vet, so having their professional opinion on your pup’s ear health is handy too.
Final Thoughts
No one likes to clean their dog’s ears, but it is just one of those jobs that need to get done. Your dog’s health depends on it. Don’t put your pup at risk of developing an ear infection by putting off ear cleaning for too long.
Don’t feel bad if you’re not sure you can handle this task. Your Shih Tzu’s groomer should be able to help you out.
Featured Image Credit: Orawan Pattarawimonchai, Shutterstock
