home » Basset Hound Care » Basset Hound Ear Care

Basset Hound Ear Care

Cute, long, floppy ears!
Basset Hound ear care is the key to healthy ears.

When my husband and I first brought Hunter home as a four month old puppy, he was so clumsy. His ears looked too long compared to his small, short body as they dragged on the floor when he walked. It was hilarious to watch him trip over his ears as he playfully chased after a toy.

At our first veterinarian visit, we quickly learned the importance of routine Basset Hound ear care as our vet demonstrated how to clean Hunter's ears. You may be asking - why is it so important? - just like we were.

Well, those long, droopy ears are prone to ear problems because they trap dirt as they drag on the ground or floor. Additionally, they tend to retain moisture due to a lack of air circulation which can cause ear infections. Routine Basset Hound ear care is a preventative measure that helps those cute, floppy ears stay healthy.

How to Clean Your Basset Hound's Ears

My Basset Hound, Hunter
4 months old

You'll need cotton balls and an ear cleaning solution.

Start with the outer ear area. Inspect the underside of the outer ear and clean it by using a cotton ball dampened with cleaning solution. Make sure to get any dirt that may be under the small folds and crevices.

Next, clean the inner ear. Put a few drops of an alcohol-free ear cleaning solution into the ear canal. Either gently pour it in from the bottle or soak a cotton ball and then squeeze it so that the solution enters the ear. Gently massage the base of the ear for about 20 seconds to loosen dirt and debris. Gently wipe debris and excess fluid from the ear with dry cotton balls. Be careful not to push the cotton ball too far into the ear. Repeat the process on the second ear.

This is a description of the process that my vet taught me. I highly recommend that you ask your vet for a demonstration because the process is definitely easier to do than my description may sound.

Here is an excellent video demonstrating how to clean your dog's ears:

Use Veterinarian's Best Ear Relief, an alcohol-free solution, to keep your dog's ears clean, dry, and free from odors.

Click for more ear cleaning supplies.

Basset Hound Ear Care Tips

Some final tips:

Learn how to clean your Basset Hound's ears soon after bringing him home and immediately make it part of your Basset Hound care routine.
Ask your vet for an ear cleaning demonstration.
Inspect and clean your Basset Hound's ears at least once per week and more often if needed.
When bathing your dog, prevent water from entering the ears.
Never insert a q-tip or any other object into your dog's ear canal.
If you notice signs of ear problems, promptly contact your veterinarian. Left untreated, ear problems can lead to serious health problems.

We've been very good about routinely cleaning Hunter's ears and so far he has not had any problems. But, there are many causes of ear problems including allergies. Therefore, if your dog has ear problems, it's important to get a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian so that an underlying condition can also be treated if needed.