There are pre-loaded wipes you can use instead of cotton balls. They’re more expensive than just soaking some cheap cotton balls, but they are convenient! Don’t use water or DIY solutions to clean a poodle’s ears. When the inside of a dog’s ears get wet, they become a breeding ground for yeast and other bacteria.
Don’t use cotton swabs. The tip can break off in your dog’s ear if your furry friend shakes their head. The other problem with cotton swabs is that they can accidentally push wax and debris deeper into the ear canal. The cotton ball is too big to go that deep. Some ear cleaners are designed to be applied directly to your dog’s ear canal. While you can certainly use these, it’s usually best to check with a vet first. You normally don’t want to pour things inside of your dog’s ear canal if you don’t have to. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Complete the entire cleaning process for one ear at a time, but repeat this process for each ear. If your dog is a little resistant, take them on a long walk and play some fetch or tug-of-war so that they tucker out a bit.
Your dog is likely going to be confused, but most dogs kind of enjoy this process once they get used to it. You know that feeling when you haven’t cleaned your ears in a while and then you use a cotton swab? It’s nice, right!
Pay special attention to the base of any tufts of hair inside of the ear. Unlike other breeds, poodles tend to grow a lot of hair on the inside of their ears. It’s easy for stuff to get trapped in this hair. If the upper portion of their ears are gunk-free, don’t worry about wiping them.
Your dog may roll around a little or shake their head a few times once you’re done. Don’t worry about this—so long as they act normally after a few minutes, they’re fine.
If there are any visible fur tufts inside of the ear, wipe them in the same direction instead of moving the towel back and forth to avoid tangles. This is especially important with a poodle. Their coats are beautiful and soft, but the hair on top of their ears can weigh the ears down. This makes it hard for air to enter the ear canal, so moisture of any kind can be a risk since excess ear moisture can breed bacteria.
It isn’t always a good idea to flush a dog’s ears, so ask your veterinarian if they think it’s a good idea. This kind of deep cleaning isn’t always necessary, and over-cleaning can lead to infection or irritation. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Your vet may be able to recommend a specific ear flushing product that will be ideal for your poodle.
The powder absorbs oils and moisture and makes it easier for your fingers or forceps to grip it. You can use a hemostat instead of forceps if you prefer. After you remove any hair, moisten a cotton ball with ear cleaner and gently wipe the skin. This is a hotly debated topic. Plucking a dog’s inner-ear hair may hurt a little bit, and many veterinarians advocate that it is unnecessary and could sometimes cause more inflammation and then lead to infection. [10] X Research source
Every dog is different. If your poodle’s ears tend to stay relatively clean, you may only need to clear their ears once a month or so. Most poodles need a weekly cleaning, though.
There are a few behavioral signs of ear infections as well. If your pup scratches their ears a lot or shies away when you touch them, they may have an ear infection. Poodles are more prone to ear infections than other breeds due to the hair inside of their ears and how low their ears hang, which is partly why they require so much maintenance when it comes to ear cleanings. [14] X Research source
