Checking your dog’s ears should be a part of your regular grooming routine. For breeds that produce a lot of earwax or have excessive ear hair, routine checks are very important. If your dog’s ears appear dirty, clean them with a cotton ball dampened with mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or an ear-cleaning solution. Inner-ear skin is delicate, so it is a good idea to get some instruction from your vet before cleaning on your own the first time. Do not cause irritation by cleaning too frequently or too hard and never put anything inside the ear canal. If your dog grows hair in his ear canal, you may have to pluck it out every few weeks with tweezers to prevent mats and tangles from forming. Your vet can tell you whether this is necessary for your dog.
