Your German Shepherd’s ears need to be cleaned on a regular basis. In fact, their ears need to be cleaned more regularly than they’d need to go to the groomers. Cleaning your dog’s ears at home with a homemade solution can save on certain expenses and prevent your pet from developing any ear infections.
It is possible to make an ear cleaning solution for German Shepherds at home using Isopropyl Alcohol, Boric Acid Powder, and Gentian Violet. The alcohol functions as an antiseptic, while the Gentian Violet provides antibacterial properties. The Boric Acid replaces vinegar used in many homemade ear cleaners and is a weaker acid with a lower pH balance.
Whether it’s your first time cleaning any dog’s ears or simply your first time cleaning a German Shepherd’s ears, doing it at home can be easy and hassle-free. In this article, we’ll break down everything from how often you should be checking your dog’s ears, to how to clean them at home using a homemade ear cleaning solution.
How To Make Homemade Ear Cleaner For German Shepherds
While there are veterinarian-approved ear cleaners for dogs available on the market, it is possible to make a tried-and-tested homemade ear cleaner to use. Keeping a pet can often involve some hidden costs or expenses, though cleaning your German Shepherd’s ears at home using a homemade ear cleaner can help save on various costs.
You should wear gloves while combining the following ingredients, and avoid getting the chemicals in your eyes. This homemade ear cleaner may also stain certain materials, so it is recommended to clean your German Shepherd’s ears outside. To create your own homemade ear cleaner for your furry friends, you’ll need to combine the following ingredients:
16 oz Isopropyl Alcohol
Alcohol is a common ingredient in homemade ear cleaners for dogs. Isopropyl alcohol is commonly used as rubbing alcohol and is used as an antiseptic.
4 Tablespoons of Boric Acid Powder
Many online recipes for homemade canine ear cleaners utilize vinegar. Boric Acid Powder, on the other hand, is a weaker acid than vinegar and is better for maintaining a low pH balance in your ear cleaner.
Boric Acid, however, has a tendency to settle in the bottle you use to create your homemade canine ear cleaner. For this reason, you’ll want to shake your ear cleaner before using it on your German Shepherd.
16 Drops of Gentian Violet 1% Solution
Gentian Violet is commonly used to treat various skin conditions or infections, such as athlete’s foot or yeast infections, due to its antibacterial properties.
Once you have combined your Isopropyl Alcohol, Boric Acid, and Gentian Violet, you’ll be ready to clean your German Shepherd’s ears. Here are some tips for getting your pet’s ears clean efficiently and without any hassle.
Tips For Cleaning Your German Shepherd’s Ears
Whether your dog sits still or moves a lot while you clean its ears, following these tips will ensure you get the job done quickly and efficiently.
- Inspect your German Shepherd’s ears before proceeding to clean them. If they are clean (pink in appearance inside the ear and odorless), then you can hold off for a few days. Monitor your dog’s ears to see when they need cleaning. If your dog’s ears appear red or swollen/inflamed, you will want to hold off on cleaning their ears and take them to a vet.
- If your dog’s ears are just a bit dirty and in need of cleaning, find a comfortable place to do this outside. You might want to get the help of someone for this process, especially if you haven’t cleaned your pet’s ears before and don’t know how they will react.
- When you’re ready to begin, gently lift your German Shepherd’s ear so it is upright and their ear canal is exposed. Release a few drops of your homemade ear cleaner into your dog’s ear canal. Using your fingers, you can apply a bit more around the base of your pet’s ears. Try and keep your dog, still and as calm as possible during this process.
- Using a cotton swab, clean the dirt and any remaining ear cleaning residue from your dog’s ear. Your German Shepherd’s ears will dry quickly.
- This process should be repeated for each ear. When you’re done, you might want to reward your dog with a treat. This will help you in the future as your dog will become more used to having their ears cleaned – especially when they know there’s a treat waiting for them.
How Often Should I Clean My German Shepherd’s Ears?
The frequency of how often a dog’s ears need to be cleaned is dependent on a variety of factors, from the breed to age, to their level of activity.
Ideally, you should clean your German Shepherd’s ears once a week. It is recommended to check their ears to see if in fact they are dirty. Clean dog ears will be pink in color and will have no odor. Careful not to clean them constantly, as this could lead to the development of an infection. (Source)
Some canine breeds are more prone to a build-up of dirt in their ears, which can lead to infection. Dog breeds that need to have their ears regularly cleaned typically include those with long, hanging ears, such as Basset Hounds of Spaniels. However, German Shepherds have ears that generally point upwards.
German Shepherds younger than five months may have floppy ears, which will stand upright on occasion. By the time they reach eight months of age, the cartilage in their ears will have fully hardened. At this point, their ears will be standing straight up. Due to the nature of their ears, German Shepherds typically do not develop ear-related conditions. While possible, it is uncommon in these dogs.
If your dog’s ear seems to have an infection, and appears red or swollen, and emits an odor, you should not clean your dog’s ear yourself and should see a vet.
However, if your dog’s ears simply seem a bit dirty and in need of a clean, you’ll be able to do it yourself at home. In fact, you’ll be able to use homemade ear cleaner for your German Shepherd.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your German Shepherd’s ears at home can be cost-efficient and painless – if you do it correctly. You can create your own homemade ear-cleaning solution for your German Shepherd using three easy-to-find ingredients. You’ll not only be able to save on costs of hiring someone else, but you’ll be able to ensure your dog’s ears remain healthy. If you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself consult your vet or other professionals who can help.