Your dog’s eyes and ears. You probably do not think about them much. Until one day, they are shaking their head like they are trying to win a dance-off. Or their eye is so red and swollen they cannot fully open it. And suddenly you realize — oh. Those need regular care too.
Honestly, I learned this one the hard way.
I had a floppy-eared dog. Ears covered at all times. Dark and warm in there. It never occurred to me to check inside. Until he started shaking his head like he was at a rock concert. Took him to the vet — severe ear infection. Three weeks of treatment, a hundred-dollar vet bill, and daily ear drops that he fought me on every single time.
After that experience, I put eye and ear checks on the weekly schedule. Five minutes. It saves an absurd amount of trouble.
Ear Cleaning — Why and How
A dog’s ear canal is shaped differently from yours. Human ear canals run horizontal. Dog ear canals are L-shaped — straight down, then a sharp turn inward. That means dirt and moisture get trapped deep inside and do not easily work their way out.
Floppy-eared breeds — Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers — have it even worse. Poor airflow creates the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to set up shop.
What does a healthy ear look like?
- Pale pink on the inside
- No noticeable odor
- Just a tiny amount of light yellow wax
When should you clean?
Ears have self-cleaning properties. You do not need to dig around every day. For most dogs, checking and cleaning every 2 to 4 weeks is enough. But if your dog swims or takes a bath, check their ears afterward — trapped moisture is the number one trigger for infections.
How to do it:
Grab a pet-specific ear cleaner. Not alcohol. Not hydrogen peroxide. Not vinegar. Not some homemade concoction you found on the internet. The skin inside a dog’s ear is paper-thin. Harsh stuff burns.
The steps are straightforward:
- Fill the ear canal with the cleaner — you do not need a lot, just enough to fill the canal
- Gently massage the base of the ear — you will hear a squishing sound, that is the liquid loosening up the gunk inside
- Let your dog shake their head — they will, trust me
- Wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball or gauze to remove what got shaken out
One critical thing: do not stick cotton swabs deep into the ear canal. You can only see the vertical part of the ear. The horizontal part is invisible to you. Swabs just push debris deeper and block things up worse.
Here is the line: if you see any of these, go straight to the vet — do not try to clean it yourself:
- Lots of dark brown or black discharge
- A strong, funky odor — musty, yeasty, or just foul
- Redness and swelling
- Your dog yelps when you touch their ear
Eye Cleaning — Simple, But Easy to Overlook
Some eye issues are structural — breeds with bulging eyes and tear stains, like Shih Tzus, Pugs, Boston Terriers. Others are environmental — dust, pollen, dry air all irritate eyes.
What do healthy eyes look like?
- Clear and bright
- White parts are white, not bloodshot
- No heavy discharge
Daily upkeep:
Use pet-safe wipes or a damp warm cotton ball daily. Wipe from the inner corner outward. The inner corner is where gunk builds up — especially on light-colored dogs. Let that sit too long, and it stains the fur reddish-brown.
A little clear discharge is usually normal. But if it turns yellow-green, thick, or pus-like, or if your dog is squinting or pawing at their eyes — that is a vet visit.
One mistake I made: never use hydrogen peroxide or anything irritating around your dog’s eyes. The skin there is ridiculously thin. Harsh stuff causes inflammation, hair loss, and worse eye problems. Warm water is enough. Warm water and a cotton ball. That is all you need.
Tear Stains — More Than Just an Ugly Mark
Tear stains are common in white or light-coated dogs — those reddish-brown streaks under the eyes.
They happen because porphyrins in tears oxidize and change color when exposed to air. Not necessarily a medical problem on their own. But excessive tearing usually points to something else going on.
Common culprits:
- Hair around the eyes rubbing against the eyeball
- Blocked tear ducts
- Ear infections — yes, ear infections can cause excess tearing
- Allergies
- Dental issues
If tear stains are persistent and come with eye discomfort, your vet might suggest flushing the tear ducts or adjusting the diet. In some cases, trimming the hair around the eyes regularly can make a big difference.
How to Get Your Dog to Cooperate
Most dogs are not fans of having their ears and eyes handled. That is normal. Especially at first. They have no idea what you are about to do.
Build positive associations:
Give a treat before you start. Keep things calm and quiet. Talk softly. Give another treat after you finish. Do that a few times, and your dog will start connecting the process with good outcomes.
If your dog fights you hard, do not force it. You could hurt their ear or eye. Just do a little bit at a time — today only the left ear. Tomorrow the right. Slow progress beats one perfect session and a dog that resents you.
I had one dog who bolted every time I brought out the ear cleaner. Took about three weeks of treats and going slow. Now she lies there quietly through the whole thing. Not because she suddenly became well-behaved. Because she figured out that this does not hurt and there is food waiting at the end.
When to Call the Vet
Daily cleaning cannot fix everything. If you see any of these, skip the cotton balls and schedule a vet appointment:
- Red, painful eyes that the dog does not want to open
- Heavy yellow-green or bloody discharge
- Head shaking nonstop, head tilting, walking unsteadily — could be an ear infection or a vestibular issue
- Dark or bloody discharge coming from the ear
- Dog does not let you touch their ear at all
These are not things you clean at home. Pushing through only makes things worse and raises the vet bill.
Final Thoughts
Eye and ear care is basically: check regularly and catch problems early.
Most of the time, all you need is a cotton ball, some warm water, and a few seconds of observation. But those small checks add up. They stop small problems from becoming big infections that cost money, cause pain, and make everyone miserable.
Add these two checks to your routine — right next to walking and feeding. Not every day, but at least once a week. A clean, comfortable dog is not just nicer to look at. They actually feel better too.