Applying Ear Drops to Dogs

Before you begin

It's important to remember that your dog’s ear condition may be painful and that even a normally gentle or passive dog may respond by struggling, growling, biting, or scratching. Use caution and patience when treating your dog’s ears. Until the medication begins to control the problem and ease the discomfort, you may need to muzzle your dog for this procedure.

Read the drug label carefully and make sure you understand the prescription instructions before you begin.

Tips

• If the medication is cold, warm it by rolling the container in your palms before applying.
• Associate ear medication with good things. Show your dog the medication and give them a treat or cuddle, several times a day.
• Massage your dog around the neck and ears regularly, lifting their ears if necessary, so they recognize ear manipulation as good touch.
• Ear conditions can be painful. Ask your vet for pain medication if you have trouble.
• Dogs’ ear canals are L-shaped. Pulling up on their ear flap straightens out the canal and helps ear medication flow through the canal better.

How to apply your dog’s ear medication

Administration varies according to medication type. Before you start, ask your veterinarian if the bottle or syringe can be placed in your dog’s ear.

1. Shake the bottle and draw up the liquid into a syringe or dropper.

2. Get into position. Choose a quiet area in your home, away from other pets or distractions.

• For a large dog: Have your dog sit with his rear end in the corner of a room, with one side against the wall. Stand on his other side. 
• For a medium-sized dog: Sit on the floor and have your dog sit in front of you, with his rear end between your legs.
• For a small dog: Sit the dog on your lap.

3. Rub around your dog's head and ears. Most dogs love to have their ears rubbed.

4. Hold the ear medication in your dominant hand.

5. With your other hand, gently but firmly grasp the tip of the ear and pull the ear flap straight up to expose the ear and straighten the ear canal.

6. Give the medication.

• If the bottle is designed to go into the ear: Gently place the tip of the bottle straight down into the ear canal and give the amount of medication prescribed.
• If the bottle should not touch the ear: Hold the ear up to straighten the ear canal as much as possible, then squeeze the dispenser so the prescribed amount drops into the ear canal.

7. Gently massage the base of the ear below the ear opening for about 30 seconds. You should hear a “squishing” sound as the medication coats the horizontal part of the ear canal.

8. If the inner part of the ear flap is involved with the infection, place the prescribed amount of medication on the infected part of the ear flap. Spread the medication around with your finger (preferably while wearing a glove).

9. Wipe off the tip of the bottle or syringe with a clean cotton ball soaked in alcohol to prevent the spread of bacteria or yeast.

10. If debris or medication accumulates on the flap part of the ear, wipe it off with a cotton ball soaked in ear cleaning solution.

Give your dog plenty of praise throughout the procedure. Offer a treat during and after the medication to make the experience more positive and make it easier to give the medication the next time.

If your dog is resistant to having ear medication applied, contact your veterinary team for more advice or alternatives. Your dog may also need some additional pain medication prescribed.