You must have noticed your dog’s ears cock up in alertness at any sound which he thinks is unwarranted. Dogs’ ears are highly sensitive and they rely on it for keeping themselves aware of the surroundings. In the past when they lived in the wild, they used this sensory perception to stay safe and protect themselves from potential predators. Other than hearing, they use their ears for balancing and also as a way of expressing their emotions. Keeping their ears clean is thus vital for their health and overall happiness. Long term ignorance in cleaning can amount to severe infections and even deafness.
Frequency of cleaning
There is no standard rule as to the frequency of cleaning your dog’s ears. Some resources recommend cleaning them once a month, some others maybe twice a month and some others have different intervals to speak of. In reality, it should depend on the specific needs of your dog. Some dogs build up ear wax quicker than others, while others due to humid environmental conditions may suffer from other frequent infections to take care of. Dogs with hanging or floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and debris buildup. Inspect your dog’s ears regularly for signs of waterlogged ears or excessive moisture, irritation or smells especially after baths or swimming. Ask your vet for how frequently you should be following ear cleaning schedule. If you take your dog for grooming to a professional, ask him if the clean up he does is sufficient for you not to do the cleaning yourself in between.
Signs of an ear infection
As pet parent you should be aware of what signs to look for that may spell any ear problem. Any bad or yeasty smell or red or inflamed skin of ears can be a sign of not all well with their ears. If your dog shakes his head a lot, it could also be a sign of some water retention in his ears maybe after a bath or swim. Look out for sticky or watery discharge from the ears or if they are overly hot to touch. Your dog may paw at his ears or pull away when you rub their ears if they are in any pain. All or any of these symptoms may indicate some infection or allergies of his ears that need medical attention. You should visit a vet before the inflammation goes any worse.
A healthy dog should have clean, pink, odorless ears and should show no swelling, irritation or pain. Examine your pet’s ears regularly to know if you need a vet and to help prevent any problem.
How to clean dog’s ears yourself
You may not be a professional groomer, but being your dog’s parent has taught you a lot about keeping him well groomed. Ask your vet for a safe cleaning solution to use on your dog’s ears and keep some clean cloth, cotton balls and towels to help you with the process.
To start, first keep your pooch in sitting or lying down posture and use one arm of yours to hold him such that he does not shake his head or move it. Now fill up the ear with the vet recommended ear wash solution till there is some slight overflow. Massage his ears around the base where the ear connects to his head, for about 30 seconds. This helps the solution to soak in and break up the wax which you can wipe out using a gauze pad or cotton ball. Give your dog a dog treat for being good and patient.
Start this cleaning regimen from an early age to help your dog adjust to it well. Try to make your grooming sessions fun and not some kind of a forced procedure. You know your fur baby best, so choose a time which suits both of you equally well. For any queries, consult your vet well in advance. At Waggfluence we love the bond you share with your pet and we wish your love to grow forever. Stay happy and healthy!
