How To Get Water Out Of Dog's Ears

Table of Contents

Pond and ear infections
Signs your pup has an ear infection
Treating ear infections in pups
How to remove water from dog ears
Frequently asked questions

The essentials

Dogs take long ear canals — The structure of their ears makes it incredibly easy for moisture to go trapped within.
H2o in dogs' ears is a common crusade of infection — Severe ear infections can lead to hurting, itchiness, and even hearing loss.
Pay attention to your pup's ears — Keeping your pup's ears clean and dry out is simply office of the process. You'll also demand to regularly monitor your dog'southward ears for changes, like odor, belch, or redness, that point something's incorrect.

At that place'due south cypher quite every bit abrasive as going for a swim just to get out with water in your ears. This event is fifty-fifty more troublesome for dogs. The 50-shaped construction of your pup's ears makes information technology well-nigh impossible for them to get h2o out after swimming or bathing — no matter how much they shake and wiggle. Water that remains stuck in and around your dog'southward ears can lead to risky infections.

You can go on your pup's sensitive ears dry and prevent ear infections with a few simple steps and helpful products. If you lot suspect an ear infection, read on for signs of trouble, equally well as some methods to help make your dog feel better.

Pond and ear infections

Dogs have long, L-shaped ear canals that make it hard for them to remove water that gets trapped within after a bath or swim. Wet in their ears can allow bacteria or fungi to thrive. This can and so lead to several different types of infections that, if left untreated, tin can even cause hearing loss. Some of the about common infections pups experience include:

Yeast infections. Trapped moisture is a common cause of yeast infections in dogs. When water is trapped in or effectually their ears, it creates a moist environment that allows yeast to overpopulate.

Bacterial infections. One of the most common causes of ear infections in dogs is leaner. Though species of bacteria exist naturally in your pup'south ears, the environment changes when moisture gets trapped inside. This creates the perfect atmospheric condition for bacteria to thrive.

Otitis externa. This refers to general inflammation of the external ear canal and can include bug like swimmer's ear. There are many things that tin can cause otitis externa, including allergies, parasites, fungi, or excessive moisture. This blazon of infection can range from mild to severe, in which case yous'll need help from a vet. Swimmer'southward ear is ordinarily treatable at habitation with a vet-approved cleanser.

Signs your pup has an ear infection

Ear infections tin exist painful and itchy, making your domestic dog feel uncomfortable. At that place are many ways your pup may try to show you lot that their ears are bothering them. If you lot detect any of the post-obit behaviors, consult your vet as soon as possible. The longer yous wait, the worse your doggie'south ear infection could become.

Itchiness. Infections can make dogs' ears experience itchy. To give your pup some relief while you wait for a vet date, here's our guide on treating your dog's itchy ears.
Redness. Many ear infections lead to inflammation in or around the ears, giving the peel a cerise appearance.
Discharge. Infected ears may have yellow, brown, or bloody discharge.
Rubbing or scratching their head or ears. Your pup may start rubbing their ears against the floor or scratching their caput and ears more than often than normal.
Shaking their head. Your dog may also milk shake their head ofttimes if they have an ear infection.
Foul smell. Bacteria or fungi that grow in the ear may pb to unpleasant smells. This is a mutual sign of an ear infection.
Swelling. Inflammation can cause the ears to cracking. Ear flap swelling is called an ear hematoma or an aural hematoma.
Scabbing or crusting in or around the ear. Yeast infections in particular can crusade dogs' ears to scab over or become dry and crusty.
Loss of balance. Astringent ear infections may lead your pup to lose their residual.

Breeds most at risk of developing ear problems

Some dogs are more susceptible to ear infections than others. While you lot love Fido'south adorably long and floppy ears, breeds with this type of ear are prone to infections. Droopy, long ears go far even more hard for pups to fully dry their ears, so water is more likely to get stuck inside. Hither are some breeds that are near at risk of developing ear infections, all of which require extra care afterward swimming and bathing:

Beagles
Cocker spaniels
Basset hounds
Labrador retrievers
Dachshunds
Golden retrievers
Miniature poodles
Labradoodles
Old English sheepdogs
Bloodhounds
Foxhounds

Treating ear infections in pups

Since infections tin can crusade pain and discomfort, it'south important to treat them as before long as possible. Depending on the type of infection, your dog's veterinarian volition likely apply antibacterial or antifungal ear drops. In extreme cases, such as when a pup has severe ear canal stenosis, your vet may prescribe systemic antibiotics. The amount of ear drops or medication volition depend on your dog'due south size, but look to apply medication once or twice a twenty-four hours. For long-acting, slow-release ear medications, such as Osurnia or Claro, y'all won't accept to put annihilation in your pet's ears. Although there are some home remedies out there for dog ear infections, information technology'south best to follow your vet'south communication and use prescribed treatments instead. Home remedies, like vinegar dilutions or hydrogen peroxide, can make infections and inflammation worse.

How to remove water from your pet's ears

The best way to preclude ear infections is to thoroughly dry your dog's ears someday they're exposed to h2o. While they'll likely shake their caput and body vigorously after a bathroom or swim, it's difficult for dogs to get water out entirely. You can step in with a towel and a few supplies by following these steps:

Start by gently drying the outside of your pup's ear with a towel.
Utilize a vet-recommended ear cleaner. You can apply a cotton fiber ball or gauze to use the cleaner, just never use cotton swabs (often known by the brand name Q-tips), which can damage the eardrum or ear canal.
If they don't take pointed ears, elevator your dog'due south ear upward to apply the cleaner. Gently rub the base of the ear to aid the cleaner move into your dog's ear canal.
Use a clean cotton ball to wipe away backlog cleaner and debris from their ears.
If your domestic dog has an ear infection, y'all can follow the aforementioned steps to apply medication, such as ear drops, after going through the cleaning process. Allow the ear cleaner to fully dry for about xxx minutes before applying any medication. Some medications volition require daily use, while others are merely necessary a couple times a week.

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White bottle of Virbac ear cleaner for dogs

Veterinarians haven't hesitated to recommend Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner to pet parents over the years. The gentle solution is ideal for daily use and pups who get chronic ear infections.

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Vet's Best brand dog ear cleaning kit

Application of this product is as easy as i, 2 — that's information technology. The ii-step process cleans and dries ears so your dog tin can dive into their next adventure.

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Keeping your dog's ears clean and dry

Drying your pup's ears can minimize the chance of ear infections, but there are besides some boosted preventative measures you should consider:

Keep up with regular cleans — Ear flushes and drying ear drops can help. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner after every swim.

When possible, avoid their ears — Take care to avoid their ears during bathtime or when playing with the hose.

Leave their ear pilus alone when training — Some breeds take excessive hair in their ear canals, which can increase their chance of infection since hair traps h2o, debris, and bacteria. If your pup does have an ear infection, you should trim their ear pilus. But if their ear is healthy, exit the hair in and around their ears solitary. Unnecessary plucking can cause redness and increment their risk of infection.

Dry their ears after water-based activities — Some dogs beloved to swim and play in water. Merely later on every bath or trip to the embankment, brand certain you lot thoroughly dry your dog'southward ears with a towel and cotton balls.

Frequently asked questions

How tin I get water out of my dog's ears?

Yous tin use a towel and a cotton wool ball to help dry your dog'due south ears. You may also need to use a vet-recommended drying solution to ensure your pup's inner ear is free of moisture.

What happens if h2o gets in my dog'south ears?

When water is trapped in your dog'southward ears, it creates a moist surroundings that allows bacteria and fungi to thrive. This can lead to infections that, when severe, could even crusade your pup to lose their power to hear.

How can I tell if there's water in my pup's ears?

Water in your dog'southward ears can be uncomfortable and atomic number 82 to painful infections. Your dog will typically show some signs they're in distress, some of which include shaking their head, rubbing their ears against furniture or the floor, and pawing at their ears.

What are the signs of ear infections in pups?

Discharge is a mutual sign of ear infections in dogs. Their ears and ear flaps may likewise be cherry-red, stinky, bloated, or crusted.

Can doggie ear infections get away on their own?

Ear infections rarely get away on their own. The longer you go without treating the infection, the worse information technology will get. If left untreated, your pup could eventually require surgery or even lose their hearing.