How To Clean Your Basset Hound’s Ears

Oh, man! Basset hounds and their ears. Their ears are so long, they spend a lot of time dragging on the ground. Because of their gigantic size, they sweep up everything from the ground with their ears.

Basset hounds are low to the ground and they are prone to collecting dirt, debris, and bacteria from the ground. All of that gets trapped in their ears. Now, if that is not the recipe for an ear infection, I don’t know what is. That is why it’s important to clean their ears. If you are wondering how to clean your basset hound’s ears, here is how.

How To Clean Your Basset Hound’s Ears

Ear infections are very common in basset hounds. If an ear gets infected and a lot of time passes until you notice it, your basset hound might require surgery, or even lose his hearing. If you are a fan of using natural remedies, please make sure to consult the vet first.

Although it might seem like something that you will think about all the time just in case you don’t forget to do it, cleaning the ears is a part of the after-bathing routine.

Basset hounds have ears that are sensitive to water. You should never get them wet while bathing your basset hound. Cleaning the ears come after the bath. Here is how to clean your basset hound’s ears:

1. Gather the supplies

In order to clean your basset hound’s ears properly and in a safe way, you will need 4-5 cotton balls and an ear-cleaning solution. Make sure to use cotton balls that are just for your basset hound. Do not use yours as some of the products you use might have accidentally gotten onto the cotton balls and can do damage to the dog’s ear.

As far as the ear-cleaning solution, I use the Epi-Otic product and you can check the current price on amazon.com. I have been around basset hounds for over a decade and this product is what I have been using for a long time. Plus, my vet has approved this product as basset hound friendly.

2. Inspect the ears visually

Remember how I talked about ear infections? Well, we need to talk some more about them. Before you clean your basset hound’s ears, first you have to visually inspect them. Look for any redness, swelling, or irritation. If you don’t bathe your basset hound properly, water might get in there and infection occurred.

If you notice any of these signs, do not clean his ears, and get your vet on the phone to schedule a visit. Ear infections are pretty common in basset hounds, but that doesn’t make them less dangerous than they are. If you leave an ear infection for a long period of time, your puppy could lose hearing in that ear.

3. Start with the outer part of the ear

If it is your first time cleaning your basset hound’s ears, then you are in for a ride. It might be uncomfortable for them because they don’t know what you are about to do. But, once you start, they will enjoy it.

Dampen one of the cotton balls into the ear-cleaning solution that you have and start cleaning the outer part of the ear. While cleaning, make sure to look for any fleas or bedbugs as they might be in there, hiding. Make sure to get clean the folds and crevices, too. Once you remove any dirt or debris, it’s time for the next step.

4. Clean the inner part of the ear

Cleaning the inner part of your basset hound ears could be tricky if you are doing it for the first time. We clean our ears with a Q-tip, but that is not how to clean dogs’ ears. Dispose of the cotton ball that you cleaned the outer part of the ear and grab a new one.

Put a couple of drops from the ear cleaning solution right into the ear canal. This will be a little bit weird for your dog, so make sure to hold his ear. Then, gently massage the ear base for about a minute and then wipe all the dirt and debris that will come out from the ear with a clean dry cotton ball. Make sure that you always dry your basset hound’s ears after cleaning them.

5. Clean the other ear

Repeat the same process for the other ear. Make sure to always use clean cotton balls for each part of the ear. You do not want to clean the outer part of the ear and then clean the inner part of the ear with the same dirty cotton ball. You will only push all the bacteria into the ear.

6. What not to do

There are some things that you should never do while cleaning your basset hound’s ears. Never use a Q-tip, for starters. We clean our ears with a Q-tip, even though we know that the Q-tip is pushing the ear wax down the canal. Then there is a risk of your doggy moving while you clean it. Sudden moves might cause the Q-tip to burst his ear drum.

The next thing is to never take an ear infection lightly. A great way to notice an ear infection is by visual inspection. If you see any redness or inflammation, get your dog to the vet. More experienced basset hound owners can also smell the ear infection. Your puppy has a unique scent, but if there is something wrong with his ears, trust me, your nose will notice it.

Do You Have To Clean Basset Hound’s Ears?

You have to clean your Basset’s ears. In fact, cleaning your Basset Hound’s ears is an important part of their grooming routine. This breed is prone to dry, crusty, and waxy buildup which can develop into painful infections if not treated properly. Cleaning should be done weekly or bi-weekly with a cotton ball and a chemical-free wet wipe that contains a mild cleansing solution.

Never use cotton swabs in your Basset Hound’s ears as they may push ear wax deeper into the canal and cause irritation.

Cleaning and caring for your dog’s ears is one of the most important things you can do to ensure their health and well-being. While some dogs may have natural ear-cleaning abilities, Bassets will accumulate debris and bacteria in the canal, leading to significant discomfort and medical troubles if left unchecked.

Fortunately, a few simple steps can help you keep your pet comfortable and healthy; regularly cleaning their ears with specialized wipes or drops, checking for any signs of inflammation or infection, and consulting a veterinarian immediately if issues are found.

Doing this can give your Basset relief from painful buildup, reduce their risk of ear infections, and even save your furry friend from costly vet bills down the road.