Dog Owners Guide | Dog Ear Care
Luckily thanks to nature, the canine ear is self-cleaning so there is no need to fiddle with it too much and NEVER insert anything inside your dog’s ear canal. Plus, For the majority of dogs, having their ears cleaned is only done occasionally. However, if your dog has healthy ear, all you need to simply do is use a natural based ear cleaner on a cotton pad and gently wipe the visible outer surface inside each ear.
Even though the task of checking your dog’s ears is simple enough, the most important thing is to ensure that your dog is comfortable with the entire process first. Ideally you start this training when they are young, however this is not always possible if you have an elderly or rescue dog.
When you dog is relaxed, gently touch their ears and stroke them to gauge how your dog will react. Don’t force anything, if your dog does not like it or starts to get stressed or worried STOP! It can take a while for your dog to become used to letting you touch their ears, however if you find your dog just really isn’t a fan don’t force it as you don’t want to upset them. Instead on your next visit to the vets ask them to check and clean them for you.
If you find your dog starts to shake their head a lot this could be a sign of some form or ear problem. If it has started suddenly and you have been regularly checking your dog’s ears and can’t see an issue it could be that there is a foreign body trapped such as a grass seed. Its important that you see your vet ASAP.
An ear mite infections will also cause your dog’s ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also produce wax and irritation, so your pet’s ears may well look red and inflamed. Typically, ear mites will also cause a dry black ear discharge. As per above, it’s important to get your dog seen by a vet so they can correctly diagnosis the issue and advise you of the best course of action.
During the summer months it’s also important to check for bee and wasp stings if you find your dog suddenly starts to shake their head a lot and scratch at their ears – Find out how to treat stings here.
