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Grooming is one of the many responsibilities you have as a pet parent. Keeping your dog clean and neatly trimmed helps keep fur and pet odors from overwhelming your home. Additionally, professional dog grooming services can take care of hygiene issues that may affect their overall wellbeing—like expressing their anal glands, trimming their nails to a comfortable length and cleaning their ears.
Why do dogs need their ears cleaned?
Just like humans, dogs have ears that can be prone to infection. The ear canal is a warm and moist environment that provides ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and cause issues.
Some of your dog’s favorite activities can also contribute to developing ear infections—like swimming, playing outside and finding the muddiest, murkiest puddle to roll around in. It sounds like a perfect day for a dog, but these activities may allow dirt and bacteria to sneak into their ear canal and promote yeast and bacterial growth.
How to tell if your dog needs ear cleaning:
If you take a peek at a dog's ear and their normally clean, pink ears have a buildup of dirt or earwax, redness or even an odor without anything visually abnormal, it’s a good idea to get them cleaned. You can take your dog to a groomer for earwax removal, to your veterinarian or do it yourself using our guide, How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears 101. Only use a cotton ball and an ear cleaning solution for dogs—any other tools should only be used by certified individuals.
You can also use a dry piece of cotton to wipe the inside of their ears and remove excess moisture after they’ve been swimming. It will help get rid of excess liquids, promote airflow and help prevent infection.
While cleaning your dog’s ears at home is a great preventive measure, you can’t monitor your pet around the clock. Your pup may still get a small amount of debris in their inner ear, which can cause numerous health problems. If you notice any inflammation, discoloration or unusual odors in your dog’s ear during grooming, consult your veterinarian to uncover the cause. Dogs with allergies, whether food or environmental, are also prone to developing ear infections, even if they aren’t getting wet or dirty playing. For more information on doggy baths, take a look at our guide to Bathing Your Dog.
How often should I have my dog’s ears cleaned?
Must dogs should have their ears cleaned once a month, dogs with long ears or swim should be more frequent.
Can groomers clean dog's ears?
At Petco, we can take some of the hassle and guesswork out of keeping your dog’s ears clean. Our groomers complete an 800-hour, 20-week certification course, so you know that you’re getting quality care. They will check your pet’s ears before the cleaning and will recommend a vet exam if they detect any sign of concern that could indicate infection. Booking is easy—simply sign up online.
Petco ear-cleaning services
Standard grooming and full-service baths:
What’s a full-service bath or grooming session if your dog’s ears are still dirty afterward? For pups with healthy ears, our standard dog ear-cleaning services come complimentary with any of our scheduled full-service breed-specific haircuts or our baths for every breed. During your dog’s ear cleaning appointment, Petco groomers will use an ear solution special formulated for dogs and the gentle use of cotton balls. We will never put anything inside a dog’s ear.
Express ear-cleaning services (Mini Make-Rover):
We also offer express services for pet parents on the go—or who prefer to do most of the grooming themselves but like a certified stylist to put on the final touches. Our Mini Make-Rover package includes dog ear cleaning, nail trimming and buffing plus applications of luxurious paw balm and scented spritz. Your pup will look and smell gorgeous after this pampering treatment.
Ear cleaning services with dental hygiene (Mini Make-Rover Plus):
Our Mini Make-Rover Plus package offers all those services along with a breath refresh or teeth-brushing. This package helps remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup, as well as making your dog’s kisses a little more pleasant.
You can bring your dog to your neighborhood Petco Pet Care Center for à la carte services like nail trimming and ear wax cleaning. At Petco, we offer a variety of grooming services to help make looking after your pet’s hygiene and wellbeing simple.
Dog Ear Cleaning Cost
While prices may vary by service and location, Dog ear cleaning is $12 in most markets. At the Petco Grooming Salon, you can get dog ear cleaning services as an add-on to any grooming service or as an individual walk-in service.
Going to the vet vs. going to the groomer
While ear cleaning may seem the same regardless of where you go, some critical services require a veterinary professional. Brown discharge could be a sign you need to consult your vet; it could mean your dog has an infection that your groomer can’t treat. Some other indicators it’s time to take your dog to the vet include:
- A pungent, yeasty smell
- The inside of the ear is red and swollen
- Your dog digging at their ears and shaking their head in discomfort
- Ear rubs that they used to enjoy now appear to make them uncomfortable
- Any swelling of the ear flap
If your dog has any of these symptoms, it’s recommended not to consult a groomer or attempt a canine ear cleaning yourself. Instead, consult your veterinarian. Both inner and outer ear infections can worsen quickly and cause serious issues. They can also be very painful for your dog and cause issues like nausea and difficulty balancing upright. Seeking prompt treatment can help bring your dog quicker relief.
Parasites like ear mites can also take up residence in your dog’s ears, especially in puppies and younger dogs. Mites can produce a dark, crusty discharge, and your pup may need medical treatment to remove them. If you think your dog has ear mites, you should seek veterinary help for the following reasons:
- The ear mites or your dog’s resultant scratching from their bites might have caused trauma to the ear; ear-cleaning efforts may cause further damage
- Ear mites can cause secondary infection
- Ear mites can spread to other pets at your groomer’s, and there is a remote chance they can be spread to humans; it’s recommended to seek treatment to get rid of them as soon as possible
- Having ear mites can be incredibly uncomfortable and painful for your pup, and trying to treat the issue at home can increase their discomfort and cause stress; it’s recommended to leave it to your vet, who is trained and has medications to calm your pet if necessary