Caring For Your Dog’s Ears

Does your pup have floppy ears? Or do Fido’s ears prick up, like a German Shepherd’s? Our canine pals’ ears are both cute and acute. They also need more care than many people realize! A local Burlington, ON vet offers some advice on doggy ear care below.

Cleaning

Keeping Fido’s ears clean can go a long way towards preventing infections. Generally, this is something you’d want to do every week or two. Even if your canine buddy’s ears look fine, it’s still a good idea to clean them. This will help get your pooch used to having his ears handled. You’ll need to use a clean cotton pad or cloth, and an ear cleaning solution made just for dogs. Pour a little of the solution into your pup’s ears. Then, gently massage the base of his ear. Use the pad or cloth to wipe away any dirt or gunk. Do not use cotton swabs on your furry pal. That can cause serious injuries!

Ear Hair

Some of our canine pals have ear hair. If yours is one of them, you’ll want to ask your vet if you should have it removed. That hair can trap dust and gunk, and give bacteria a good hiding spot. However, you should never do this yourself. That procedure would fall under medical grooming, which should only be done by professionals.

Congenital Issues

Just like people, dogs can have congenital issues with their ears. This is often prevalent in white pooches, since the gene that is responsible for white fur has been linked to hearing problems. Older dogs also sometimes lose their hearing. If your pooch seems to have trouble hearing you, contact your vet.

Red Flags

It’s also important to be able to recognize the signs of infection. Some of these would include redness, swelling, and/or bad smells from Fido’s ears. You may notice discharge, which could look yellow, red, green, brown, or even black. Pawing at the ears can also be indicative of ear problems, as can constant shaking of the head. Ear issues can be very painful for dogs, so this isn’t something you’d want to take a ‘wait and see’ approach on. Contact your vet to set up an exam as soon as you notice anything wrong.As your local Burlington, ON animal clinic, we are dedicated to offering great veterinary care. Contact us anytime!