French Bulldogs are known for their big, pointy ears and require a little extra care compared to other dog breeds. These cute little creatures with big ears are at risk of getting an infection and are prone to a number of issues related to their ears.

A novice French Bulldog owner might not know this information and can end up facing various problems. Hence, whenever you get a French Bulldog, it is extremely important to know how to clean its ears.

A little light on the history of this breed will reveal that because of such a unique structure, there have been arguments about which type of French Bulldog ears are even acceptable for a Frenchie. This leads us back to the 1800s when there were two varieties of French Bulldog ears: bat ears and rose ears.

Americans preferred the bat ear, while Europeans preferred the rose ear. However, when the FBDCA was formed in 1897, it wrote the standards for a pure-breed French Bulldog and it was decided that the only acceptable ear type is the bat ears.

Why is this ear type the perfect host for dirt and bacteria? The answer to this question lies in the structure of the ear. The big, pointed outer area of the ear leads to an elongated ear canal that has a spacious area at the base. The opening of the ear faces the front and the pinna of the ear, which is the area inside the ear at the top, collect all the dust, dirt and wax.

Some French Bulldogs really enjoy rolling around on floors, so all kinds of germs can get inside their ears and increase the risk of infection. If anything gets inside the outer ear, it can make its way inside the canal that leads to the dog’s balance system.

Since the inside of the ear is warm and moist, getting a serious yeast infection is also a threat that Frenchies face. Even something minor can lead to major health issues.

French Bulldog Ear Wax

Ear wax in any dog is a sign of a normal and healthy ear if the quantity is moderate. However, excessive ear wax is definitely the first sign of any problem developing in the ears. Too much wax in a dog’s ear makes it easy for bacteria, fungi and other infectious organisms to get inside and wreak havoc.

However, you can’t exactly tell if your dog is producing excessive wax unless you are a vet. There are a few ways you can figure out it is time to worry and to take your pet to the vet. The gross smell of ear wax should be your first clue. When you start smelling something funky, you should be alert because it is the first sign of an ear infection.

Normally, a dog’s ear should look a little pink and clean with a little moisture inside. If your French Bulldog’s ears look red and releases a black or dark brown discharge instead of being pink, that is the second sign of the trouble. Other physical signs include continuous shaking of head, feeling pain or being sensitive upon touching the ear, and frequent scratching or rubbing of the ears.

Ear mites and ear infection in dogs have similar symptoms, and you could easily be confused and mix them up. Hence, to be on the safe side, you should take your pet to the veterinarian and let them do the inspecting.

French Bulldog Ear Rinse

To clean your French Bulldog’s ears, you will need an ear rinse. The list is endless when it comes to good ear rinses for your pet. To ensure you make the right choice, you should consider the following elements:

• Ingredients (we would recommend natural ingredients)
• Smell of the product
• Time duration for the product to work
• Once a day usage

An ear infection could lead to chronic diseases, so the product should be effective and be able to get rid of the problem in a week, even if you use it once a day. Since the dog will be too stressful and uneasy, it will be hard to get it through the process more than once every day.

Since there is a variety of products available, here are some that will work well with Frenchies:

• Lively Pets Ultra-Otic Advanced Plus Ear Cleaner
• Pet MD Otic Clean Dog Ear Cleaner
• Vetericyn Plus Ear Rinse

What Can You Use to Clean Your French Bulldog’s Ears?

Before you get on with the process, you need to understand the whole process thoroughly and learn some trick and trips to get the most effective results.

You can use cleaning solutions for this purpose or wipes to clean ears. There are also some people who use reliable home remedies. We would recommend using a cleaning solution as that is the most effective.

Here are some basic things you will need before you start cleaning:

• Ear cleaning liquid or solution
• Freshly washed towels
• A dry and clean piece of cloth
• Flashlight to help you see better (optional)
• Hair dryer (if your dog has small ears)
• Some treats to help keep your dog in place during the process

All of these items can be easily found in any local store.

Cleaning Your Frenchie’s Ears

There are many commercial products available for cleaning ears that you can choose from. You can also ask your veterinarian and they will recommend you the perfect one. We usually use the Zymox Ear Cleanser. This product is formulated to remove debris, bacteria, itch and smell. However, there are many other solutions and wipes as well that will have the same impact. Just make sure to check the quality first.

While you can use a cleaning solution or wipes, some people prefer a trustworthy home solution of vinegar and warm water. You can go down that route as well.

No matter what you choose, the basic cleaning process is the same. Let’s get into it:

1. If you are using the Zymox ear cleaner or any other cleaning solution, use a syringe or dropper to insert a small amount of the solution into the ear via the top of the ear. Massage the ear well from the outside to slowly and gradually push the solution inside the ear. The massage will warm up the liquid and help clean any debris that is inside. You will hear the sound of the mixture as you follow this procedure.
2. Since the ear is going to get all wet and gooey, your Frenchie will try to shake its head or run away. If you have to, use a little restrain to hold it down and try to get that liquid into the ear canal. You can repeat the process a few times if the ear does not feel clean enough or if the solution does not go all the way in.
3. Once the liquid has reached inside, you can let your dog go and let the solution do its work. You would probably want to do this in a clean place, probably inside the house or in a clean bathroom. Once the liquid gets inside, your Frenchie will try to remove the solution and start rubbing its head on the floor. Make sure you have fresh towels nearby for rubbing.
4. Use those freshly washed towels to slowly dab the outside of the ear. For the inside, try using a soft, dry cloth gently. Using a light-colored cloth will allow you to see whether there is dirt remaining or whether there is anything unusual in the ears. Using cotton swabs is not recommended because they might push the debris further inside.
5. You can also use a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting to dry out the ear, but only if your dog can tolerate it. Just make sure the heat is not too much or else you could damage the ear or skin. There should be some moisture in the ear, and it should look pink and clean. The hair dryer is the best option if your dog has small ears because they can trap moisture.
6. Repeat the process if needed.
7. Offer your pet some treats in the end to make it happy and to reward it for its patience.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered all the information you need to know about how to clean a French Bulldog’s ears. Hopefully, it will be helpful for you.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that unless you are an expert at diagnosing different kinds of dog ear infections, I suggest you let the veterinarian do that task. All you have to do is to clean the ear regularly and if you notice anything unusual, contact your vet as soon as possible.