How to Clean French Bulldog Ears: Vet-Approved Step-by-Step Guide
French Bulldogs are adorable pups, especially with those overly large ears of theirs! But as cute as this breed’s bat ears are, their ear canals are narrow and prone to wax buildup and ear infections. So, it’s vital to know how to clean your French Bulldog’s ears to keep them healthy.
It might seem like a quick wipe of the ears with a damp cloth would get the job done, but there’s more to cleaning French Bulldog ears than that. In fact, taking a simple damp cloth to this breed’s ears could make them more prone to ear infections, not less. Plus, you need to know how often to clean your French Bulldog’s ears. Canine ears are delicate, so if you clean them too much, you can actually make ear infections more likely.
However, if you don’t clean them when they need it, you also risk infections. It’s a fine line to walk!
That’s why we’re here with tips and information in a handy step-by-step guide to inform you exactly how and when to clean your French Bulldog’s ears.
Before You Start
Before cleaning your pup’s ears, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vet-approved ear-cleaning solution
- Cotton balls, pads, or wipes
- Clean towel
- Treats
Always use a vet-approved ear-cleaning solution for your French Bulldog’s ears. There are plenty of recipes for homemade ear-cleaning solutions out there, but many contain chemicals that can harm canine ears at worst and irritate them at best. They also won’t get your pup’s ears clean.
Also, do not use a Q-tip on your dog’s ears! Pointy objects, like Q-tips, will only push dirt further into a French Bulldog’s ears, making the situation worse. You also run the risk of causing damage to your pet’s ear with these.
The 6 Steps to Clean French Bulldog Ears
Here’s your step-by-step guide to cleaning your French Bulldog’s ears!
1. Get comfy.
You want your pup to be comfortable during their ear cleaning so they don’t become anxious or try to run away. You can wrap them in a towel if necessary. Have treats to hand to make the experience as positive as possible. You can also enlist a family member’s help in holding the dog still while you work. Also, make sure that you’re in a position to comfortably reach your dog’s ears.
2. Check your dog’s ears for irritation.
You don’t want to clean your dog’s ears if something is wrong with them, like an infection, so check your pup’s ears carefully before you begin. Look for signs of itchiness, redness, foul odors, discharge, or other irritation. If you find anything that doesn’t look right, skip the ear cleaning and take your French Bulldog to the vet.
3. Apply the ear-cleaning solution to your dog’s ear.
Carefully insert the tip of the bottle into your pet’s ear (but don’t insert it too far!) and squeeze the ear-cleaning solution in until the ear canal is full.
4. Massage the ear.
Once you have the ear-cleaning solution in, massage your French Bulldog’s ear at the base for about 30 seconds. This lets the solution get rid of debris and dirt and break down any wax in the ear. Don’t be concerned if you hear sloshing while you massage; this is normal!
5. Be prepared to get dirty!
Once you’re done massaging the ear, release your dog, grab your towel, and watch out! At this point, most pups will shake their head around to get rid of the ear-cleaning solution in the ear, which can get a bit messy. Use the towel to guard yourself, but also to catch any solution or gunk that comes out of the ear.
6. Get your cotton ball ready.
Once most of the solution and dirt have been shaken out of the ear, use your cotton ball to wipe gently around the entrance to the ear canal to remove any remaining solution and dirt.
Then, move on and repeat the process on the other ear. Finally, reward your dog with a treat for a job well done!
How Often Should I Clean My French Bulldog’s Ears?
While you should check your French Bulldog’s ears a couple of times a week, you often only need to clean them once or twice a month. Speak to your vet about the best cleaning schedule for your Frenchie.
If you notice something like excessive wax building up between monthly cleanings, you should probably clean the ears more frequently. However, if the increased wax is accompanied by signs of irritation, redness, pain, abnormal discharge, or smell then consult with your vet before cleaning.
Final Thoughts
French Bulldog ears are awfully cute, but their anatomy unfortunately makes them more prone to ear problems. It’s important to regularly check their ears for signs of a problem and clean them when needed, which is usually around once or twice a month. Use the step-by-step guide above to clean them properly, but if you notice irritation, redness, or anything that looks particularly gross, skip the ear cleaning and get your French Bulldog to the vet.
Featured Image Credit: ADVTP, Shutterstock
