Your dachshund’s soft, long, floppy ears are one of their most adorable features. Unfortunately, those ears also leave doxies more susceptible to ear infections and other ear-related problems because if their size and shape. Because dachshunds (and their ears!) are incredibly low to the ground, it's easy for ticks or fleas to find their way in — especially after playing or walking in long grass. And, since dachshund ears flop over, there's less opportunity for air to circulate, which means moisture can more easily get trapped in your pup's ears.
With all of this in mind, you'll want to pay regular attention to your dachshund's ears and make sure you're keeping them clean. If you do, you'll be just fine. Read on to learn exactly how to take care of your precious pup’s ears.
Check in regularly
At least once a week, take a few minutes to check your dachshund's ears. If you regularly go for long walks in wooded areas or where there’s tall grass, you’ll want to carve out time to check for ticks after each walk, too. While your pup is relaxed and sitting nearby, flip over their ear and look inside. A healthy ear is soft and pink, and doesn’t have a distinct odor. When you’re starting to see some dark-colored wax or crusty-looking build up, it’s probably time to give their ears a cleaning.
If you see little pests like ticks, fleas, or mites, schedule time with your vet to ensure you’re fully getting rid of them. Other signs of pests are distinct red bites in your dachshund’s ears, or small black flecks scattered around their ears — these could be insect feces. A strong odor or visible discharge are also signs that your pup might have an infection in their ears, and are also reasons to reach out to your vet to address the issue. Your pup may also be regularly shaking their head or skittish to human touch around their ears if there’s something more serious going on.
Time for a bath
You should clean your dachshund’s ears at least once a month, or every other week if they’re looking dirty and you’re starting to see wax build up. Start by washing the outside of their ears with a warm, soapy washcloth, and rinse of the soap with your hands or a clean washcloth. For the insides of their ears, use a damp washcloth or a moist cotton ball to wipe the insides of their ears. This is also when you'll want to wipe out any build up of ear wax. Afterwards, make sure to dry the insides of their ears with a clean cloth to prevent risk of moisture-related infection. Using q-tips is a no-go, as they can push dirt further into your pup’s ears and cause damage to the ear canal.
Squeaky clean ear canals
It’s a good idea to use an ear cleaning solution to keep the insides of their ear canals clean about once a month, too. Cleaning your pup’s ears is easiest when they’re relaxed, so you may want to give them some extra love and attention before pouring the cleaning solution in their ear. Fill their ear canal with the cleaner, and gently massage the base of their ear for about 30 seconds so that the solution has time to break down any dirt or wax. After 30 seconds has passed, it’s perfectly fine for your pup to shake their head if they want to. Then, use a dry cloth or cotton ball to wipe out their ear canal and the insides of their ear — cleaning out any of the debris that the solution has loosened, and cleaning out any excess liquid. Clean both ears, and make sure the insides of their ears are fully dry before you call it a day. Leaving their ears damp can lead to infection, which you want to avoid!
The cleaning process won’t cause your pup any pain, but they most definitely have earned a treat (or two!) once their ears are sparkling clean again. The more excited they are to have their ears cleaned next time, the better!
Products Referenced:
Lamb Training Treats
Brush up on old tricks or try nailing a few new ones with these tasty lamb training treats. At 3 calories or less per chew, you can reward your doxie without worrying about them packing on any extra pounds. Plus, the excellent folks at Finley’s also donate half of their profits to help people with disabilities through paid work experiences — major win-win.
