Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Ear infections are a common issue for our beloved pet dogs, with certain breeds being more prone to infections, bacterial overgrowth and yeast build up. That's why it's really important to have a solid ear cleaning routine in place for when your four-legged friend might need an ear freshen-up.

If your dog is prone to ear issues, then routine cleaning may help to prevent infections from developing. As well as desensitising your dog to ear handling, routinely cleaning the ear prior to treatments, after a particularly dirty walk or swim or during grooming appointments can prevent flareups in the future and help ear medication reach parts of the ear that may have previously been inaccessible due to debris.

Our top ear cleaning tips

  • Preparation is key! Get everything you need close by so you can clean those ears without too much faffing.
  • Use damp cotton wool or pads to remove excess dirt or wax first
  • Once you've squeezed some dog-friendly ear cleaner - like our Antimicrobial Ear Cleanser - into their ear, gently massage the bottom of your dog's ear to help move the cleaner through their ear canal. This massaging action also helps to loosen up debris, too
  • Wipe away any excess cleanser with cotton pad
  • Reward your dog with a treat for being such a good patient!

What should I use?

Hypochlorus acid (or HOCl for short) is a naturally occurring non-toxic antimicrobial agent that is naturally produced by white blood cells - your dog makes this in their body, already! This means it is safe to use on open wounds, ears, eyes and even in the mouth.

Lillidale Antimicrobial Ear Cleanser for Dogs

Our Lillidale Ear Cleanser is a HOCl solution that's perfect for everything from sting-free routine ear cleaning to removing debris after a mucky walk or swim. 

 

 

 

 

 

Studies have proven HOCL to be safe and effective cleaning solution for dogs with Chronic Otis Externia.

If in doubt, always check in with your vet.

 

Sources:

Mueller RS, Baumann KN, Boehm T, Dörfelt S, Kasper B, Udraite-Vovk L. Evaluation
of hypochlorous acid as an ear flush in dogs with chronic otitis externa. Vet
Dermatol. 2023 Apr;34(2):134-141. doi: 10.1111/vde.13142. Epub 2022 Dec 14.
PMID: 36517454.

Back to blog