Wondering how to carefully clean your golden retriever’s ears without harming this cute pup?
Well, just like any other pet, your golden retriever trusts you as much as you think they do. But with that trust comes a lot of responsibility, including cleaning, washing, and taking care of your pup.
Let’s Get Started – Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears
While you let your retriever roam without a leash in the park, it is pertinent that the dog might get some ear irritability. If not, not cleaning the ears for a long time, with all the wax jumbled up, it can lead to numerous infections.
Yes, it’s true. The dogs do get wax in their ears, especially after getting a bath or wet. However, this is not a cause for concern as the earwax is there to protect your dog’s ears from any foreign particles or bacteria.
But if you think that the wax has built up too much, then it’s time for you to take action and clean your retriever’s ears.
The good news is that cleaning a golden retriever’s ears is not as difficult as it seems. All you need is patience, the right tools, and our guide below on how to clean your golden retriever’s ears without harming them.
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Touch Your Golden Retriever’s Ears As A Puppy
You might think that this is not a big deal, but it actually is. Getting your golden retriever accustomed to you touching their ears will make the ear-cleaning process much easier when they’re older.
So, when petting your puppy, ensure to include their ears in the affection. This way, they’ll become used to the sensation and won’t squirm away when you try to clean their ears later on.
Check The Ear To Determine If They Need Cleaning
Once you’ve gotten your golden retriever used to you touching their ears, the next step is to check the ears to see if they need cleaning. To do this, gently lift up the earflap and look inside.
If you see any redness, swelling, or discharge, then it’s time to clean your pup’s ears. However, if the ears look healthy and clean, then you can skip this step.
If you’re not sure whether or not your retriever’s ears need to be cleaned, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and give them a good cleaning. This way, you can avoid any potential ear problems in the future.
Groom Hair Around And Inside The Ears Regularly
To make the ear-cleaning process easier, it’s important to groom the hair around and inside the ears on a regular basis. This way, you can avoid wax buildup and ensure that the ears are free of dirt or debris.
To groom the hair around your golden retriever’s ears, you can use a pair of scissors or an electric trimmer. Just be careful not to cut the hair too short, as this can make the ears more vulnerable to infection.
If you’re not comfortable trimming the hair yourself, you can always take your retriever to a professional groomer. They’ll be able to do it quickly and efficiently without causing any harm to your pup.
Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears – Conjour Up Some Solution
Now that you’re ready to clean your golden retriever’s ears, it’s time to prepare the cleaning solution. You can either use a commercial ear cleaner or make your own at home.
If you decide to go the DIY route, you can mix together equal parts of white vinegar and water. This solution will help to break down any wax buildup and kill any bacteria that may be present in the ears.
Alternatively, you can also use a solution of warm water and hydrogen peroxide. This solution will also help to break down wax and kill bacteria.
Once you’ve mixed the ingredients, test the solution on your own skin first. This way, you can make sure that it’s not too hot or too cold before using it on your retriever.
Ear Cleaning Supplies For Your Golden Retriever
While your golden retriever ears are pretty self-cleaning, there will be times when you need to give them a good cleaning.
To do this, you’ll need a few supplies, including
1) A Mild Dog Ear Cleaner
You can find these at your local pet store or online. Avoid using human ear cleaners as they can be too harsh for your pup’s delicate ears.
2) A Soft Cloth
This will be used to wipe away any excess ear cleaner or debris from your retriever’s ears.
3) Cotton Balls
These can be used in place of soft cloth if you prefer.
4) A Treat for your golden boy
This is optional but can be used to reward your retriever for being a good sport during the ear-cleaning process.
How To Clean Your Golden Retriever Ears In 7 Easy Steps
Many dog owners, who are also some of my oldest pals, have seen me grow through the times of my golden retrievers and often ask one question, how to clean golden retriever ears? You can consider the following steps and some optional steps.
Get Your Dog and the Supplies
The first step in cleaning your golden retriever’s ears is to gather the right tools for the job. For this, you’ll need:
Hold Your Dog’s Ear Up – Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears
Once you’ve gathered all the tools you need, it’s time to start cleaning your golden retriever’s ears. To do this, simply hold their head still and lightly wipe the inside of their ear with the cotton ball or pad. You can dip the cotton ball or pad in ear cleaning solution.
Apply the Ear Cleaning Solution
Next, you’ll need to soak the cotton balls or pads in the ear cleaner solution. Once they’re soaked, squeeze out any excess solution so that the cotton is only damp and not dripping wet.
Next, gently pull any visible dirt or debris from your golden retriever’s ear if you’re using tweezers. Be very careful not to poke the inside of their ear with the tweezers as this could hurt them.
Be sure only to wipe the parts of their ear that you can see and avoid going too deep into their ear canal. Also, make sure to use a different cotton ball or pad for each ear so that you don’t spread any bacteria or dirt from one ear to the other.
Disclaimer: Do not use a Q-Tip. It can harm the eardrum if forced into the ear. Only use it if you are professional or maybe ask a vet for some help.
Dry Your Golden Retriever Ears
After you’ve finished cleaning your golden retriever’s ears, it’s important to dry them off. To do this, simply take a soft, clean cloth and gently wipe the inside of their ears until they’re dry. Again, be sure only to wipe the parts of their ear that you can see and avoid going too deep into their ear canal.
Reward and Praise Your Dog
Last but not least, don’t forget to reward and praise your golden retriever for being a good sport during the ear-cleaning process. This will help reinforce positive behavior and make them more likely to cooperate next time you need to clean their ears.
Here are two extra steps on how to clean golden retriever ears,
Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears – Use Ear Drops (optional)
If your golden retriever’s ears are particularly dirty or if they seem to be having trouble with ear infections, you may want to use ear drops.
Ear drops can help to remove any excess wax or debris from their ears and can also help to prevent ear infections. However, it’s important only to use ear drops as directed by your veterinarian and never to use them more than once a week.
Repeat The Process
Depending on how dirty your golden retriever’s ears are, you may need to repeat the cleaning process a few times. However, you should never clean their ears more than once a week as this could dry out their skin and cause irritation.
These tips make cleaning your golden retriever’s ears a breeze. Just remember to be gentle, use the right tools, and to only clean their ears as often as necessary. And, of course, don’t forget to reward your golden retriever for being such a good boy or girl!
Clean The Ears Every Time They Get Wet
Many people don’t realize that their dog’s ears need to be cleaned every time they get wet. This is especially important for golden retrievers, as their long ears are prone to infection.
The easiest way to clean your golden retriever’s ears is to use a cotton ball soaked in warm water. As I have already mentioned the process of cleaning golden retriever ears above, you can choose a vet’s expertise too.
Being a parent to almost 3 golden retrievers, I can proudly, my dogs never witnessed a single time of ear infection. That is probably because I ensure their cleaned ear every week, or maybe twice as they grow up.
As dogs love being outdoorsy, I always check on the ears after they get wet. This myth of ears getting cleaned themselves after getting wet is a big no-go.
Trust me, as much as you love john legend, who practically adores golden retrievers, it gets nasty when the flaps cover the wet ears.
If you notice that your golden retriever’s ears are starting to get smelly or look irritated, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Ear infections can be very painful for dogs and can lead to other serious health problems.
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Go To The Vet If Your Dog’s Ears Are Infected
If your dog’s ears are infected, you’ll need to take them to the vet for treatment. Infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast, or ear mites, and they can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog.
Your vet will likely prescribe antibiotics or other medications to clear up the infection, and they may also recommend cleaning your dog’s ears regularly to prevent future infections.
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Learn About Potential Causes Of Infection
A few different things can cause an ear infection in your dog. Bacteria, yeast, and ear mites are all common culprits.
Bacteria
Bacterial infections are the most common type of ear infection in dogs. They’re usually caused by either Staphylococcus or Pseudomonas bacteria. These infections can be caused by allergies, ear trauma, or ear canal blockages.
Yeast
Yeast infections are less common than bacterial infections but can still occur. They’re usually caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus. These infections are more common in dogs with allergies or other skin conditions.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny parasitic insects that live in your dog’s ear canal. They feed on wax and oil, and they can cause irritation and inflammation. Ear mites are more common in puppies and young dogs.
Check For Symptoms Of An Infection
There are a few different symptoms that you might see if your dog has an ear infection. If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to the vet for an evaluation.
Ear Pain
One of the most common signs of an ear infection is pain. Your dog may shake their head or hold its ear down. They may also scratch at their ear or rub it against furniture or floors.
Discharge
If your dog has an ear infection, you may see a yellow, green, or brown discharge coming from their ear. This discharge may be accompanied by a bad odor.
Hearing Loss
In some cases, an ear infection can cause hearing loss. This is more common in older dogs.
Head-Shaking
Another common symptom of an ear infection is head shaking. This is usually caused by the pain of the infection.
If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your vet. They can diagnose the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears
Once your dog’s ear infection has cleared up, you’ll need to take steps to prevent future infections. One of the best ways to do this is by cleaning golden retriever ears regularly. You can buy ear-cleaning solutions at most pet stores.
To use them, put a few drops of solution into your dog’s ear and massage the base of their ear for a minute or two. Then, use a cotton ball to wipe away any discharge.
You should also avoid letting water enter your dog’s ears when swimming or taking a bath. Water can cause irritation and make infections more likely. If you do get water in your dog’s ears, use a cotton ball to dry them off as soon as possible.
Taking these precautions can help prevent ear infections and keep your dog healthy and comfortable.
Conclusion | Cleaning Golden Retriever Ears!
There is all that I know about cleaning your golden retriever’s ears. Trust me when I say this, you don’t want to watch your dog undergo infection pain. It hasn’t happened to my retrievers because I was extra careful.
There have disastrous cases of ear infections in golden retrievers. As Smart Dog Owners, you have your work cut out for you!
Moreover, many vets recommend regular golden retriever ear cleaning as an important part of keeping them healthy and free from infection.
