Regular ear cleaning in dogs and cats is an essential aspect of their preventative health care. The structure of the ear canal of these animals, particularly dogs with floppy ears, creates an environment conducive to the accumulation of wax, moisture and debris, which can lead to the development of ear infections.
Although healthy ears should not need much cleaning, since a little wax in the ears is normal, if you notice that your dog generates too much dirt, apply logic and clean with natural products and very carefully. Follow the instructions for each product, since many come with an applicator. But as a general recommendation, you can use a cotton pad soaked in the natural ear cleaner that you choose or there are also wet wipes for ear cleaning.
And, just like people, dogs and cats can accumulate dirt and wax in their ears, which could lead to infections if not properly cared for. Additionally, their ears are different from ours, which means they need specific care. Cleaning them regularly not only keeps infections at bay, but also gives you the opportunity to check for anything out of the ordinary, such as the appearance of warts or other lumps that could develop tumors.
We tell you what you need to know to properly care for the ears of dogs and cats, avoiding damage to the ear canal and without using chemicals that could cause adverse effects.
How often should dogs and cats' ears be cleaned?
The frequency with which you should clean the ears of dogs and cats varies in each case, so we recommend adapting the frequency to what your specific dog or cat requires. Depending on each animal's lifestyle and overall health, ear cleaning needs may vary.
Some dogs or cats may need weekly cleaning, while others will be fine with less frequent cleaning. It is essential to observe and know your animal to determine the best routine.
In the case, for example, of dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or those with floppy ears, more frequent cleanings are usually necessary. Cats, on the other hand, generally need fewer ear cleanings, but it is still important to check them regularly.
If you still have doubts, we recommend, as always, that you go to an integrative veterinary professional for advice.
How to clean my dog or cat's ears naturally
Using natural products for regularly cleaning the ears of dogs and cats is crucial to avoid possible adverse effects associated with products based on chemical ingredients. The natural, gentle and non-invasive ingredients respect the pH balance of the skin and minimize the risk of irritation, allergies or damage to the delicate ear canal. This approach promotes effective hygiene without compromising the overall health of the animal, ensuring optimal care and preventing long-term complications.
Cleaning the ears with herbal extracts
The most common way to clean our furry dogs' ears naturally is by using herbal extracts that will eliminate dirt without irritating. In our Herbarium for animals you will find, for example, this otic cleaner for dogs and cats based on thyme, tea tree and lavender hydrolate.
A hydrolate is a natural product derived from the distillation of plants, flowers or herbs, obtaining a floral water with beneficial properties. It contains traces of plant compounds, offering a lower concentration of essential oils but maintaining benefits for the skin and health. Thyme hydrosol, for example, has antibacterial and astringent properties, supports the immune system and offers anti-inflammatory effects, useful for skin care and to relieve inflamed areas.
It is recommended to use this natural cleaner daily, putting 3 drops in each ear and massaging the external ear canal. But as we have mentioned before, the needs of each animal vary, so observe what they are and apply logic 🙂 Of course, it is important to clean the entrance to the ear canal with gauze. Don't use cotton, as it could fall apart and leave residue.
There are also other cleaners like Vital Ear Oil which includes ingredients such as jojoba oil*, calendula extract (in sunflower oil)*, propolis extract and thyme essential oil that also make it useful in treatments against malasezzia.
Ear cleaner to reduce earwax formation
Another natural product that we recommend if your furry dogs tend to produce a lot of earwax is Anibio Optic Cleaner. It is a liquid product for ear hygiene for dogs, cats and rodents. It is made up of ingredients such as tea tree oil and chamomile extract, which cleanse without irritating and reduce the formation of earwax. Recommended for regular use, it is applied topically with specific doses depending on the animal. This cleaner is a gentle but effective, alcohol-free solution that takes care of the hearing health of your furry friends.
Colloidal silver for cleaning the ears in dogs and cats
Colloidal silver is a solution containing microscopic silver particles suspended in water. Historically it has been used for its antimicrobial properties and is applied to prevent infections, among other ailments.
Using colloidal silver to clean animal ears is a natural way to care for ears and prevent ear infections. One of the products that you can find in our Herbalist for animals is Clusán otic cleaner with colloidal silver. This product is recommended for use once or twice a week to keep the ear canal clean and prevent infections, but again, regulate its application according to the needs of your dog, cat and can also be used on horses. In addition, it is a great ally when there is already inflammation and irritation in the external auditory canal. In this case, it is recommended to use it more frequently, between once and twice a day.
Ear infections in dogs and cats: How to act?
Just like in people, ear infections can be painful or itchy. In the case of dogs or cats, some symptoms that your dog may suffer from a mild ear infection are:
- Tilt your head toward the side of the infection
- shake your head
- He scratches his ears
- Have hot or smelly ears
- Produce a lot of earwax
- The skin inside your ears is crusty, red, or irritated
Although we always recommend going to the veterinarian as soon as possible, mild external otitis can be relieved with natural remedies that include Tea tree, Colloidal Silver, apple cider vinegar or calendula. In any case, you must act quickly and prevent a mild otitis from becoming worse, since the consequences could be terrible: deafness, facial paralysis or vestibular syndrome.
Causes of otitis in dogs and cats
As you know, we always focus on prevention and, although it is true that there are animals with a certain predisposition to suffer from otitis, such as, for example, dog breeds with floppy ears (which offer a “welcoming” environment for bacteria), the most common causes Common otitis infections are found in:
- Feed-based diet, since the starch in carbohydrates unbalances the body's natural yeast. Opt for the natural diet.
- Exposure to chemicals. On the one hand, excessive medication and chemical internal antiparasitics affect the immune system. On the other hand, chemical products for the home and garden, as well as shampoos that are not natural They also provide toxins to your furry friends.
- Weakened immune system causing chronic ear infections. To reinforce natural defenses, we insist that the best thing is a natural diet and reinforce it with nutritional supplements that strengthen the immune system, including pre and probiotics.
