When cleaning the ears, take your dog to one side and take care of the four-legged friend's hearing organ for a minute or two. In principle, the ears should clean themselves through the formation of ear wax and the many protective hairs, but over the years and with a view to the many different dog breeds (and ear types), it is more common for you to have to take over the ear cleaning from time to time. Dogs usually react very calmly to this, especially if the animals are already used to it when they are puppies. Just find a quiet moment for your dog to clean the ears. Use either a warm, damp cotton cloth that you simply wrap around your index finger, or special cleaning pads that are now available for cleaning dogs' ears.
To clean your dog's ears, gently pull the ear upwards by the tip. Then gently wipe from the ear canal to the tip of the ear. Do not penetrate the ear canal, but limit yourself to the pinna and after cleaning the first ear, use a fresh cloth or pad for the second ear.
Since dogs have a very strong natural ear cleaning system, you should only intervene in this natural process if you notice excessive amounts of ear wax, dirt or dried secretions. In addition, noticeable smells can indicate that cleaning is necessary. If you are unsure, you can of course ask a veterinary practice for further advice. The practices usually also carry out professional cleanings to remove stubborn dirt. BARF feeding has no direct influence on the dog's ear cleaning.
