Cleaning Your Dogs EarsA dog's ears are a huge part of its personality. They make up a large part of the canine expression, and the look your trusty pet gives you can have vastly different meanings depending on what its ears are doing. Unfortunately, they are also a bit of a breeding ground for a host of unwanted things, from general grime and filth to parasites and infections.
Regularly cleaning your dog's ears can help to avoid any health issues there, as well as improving their quality of life. But, before you dive in with a cue tip, let's go into a bit more detail about why and how you should clean your dog's ears. The Problem Keeping clean isn't exactly a priority for most dogs, as anyone who has brought home a muddy pup from a walk in the woods will attest. Unfortunately, it's this lack of concern for their cleanliness that allows general debris, parasites, and other nasty things to get into their ears. Things like grass, seeds, ear mites, and bacteria can all take up residence in your poor pup's ear canal. It won't be challenging to spot a problem, however. You might catch your dog trying to get elbow-deep in their own ear canal to reach an itch. In more severe cases, they might whimper and whine at you, or regularly shake their head. If you notice any of these signs, your dog's ears probably need some attention. The Solution Whether you've tried cleaning a dog's ears before or not, it shouldn't come as a surprise that dogs aren’t particularly fond of the process. If you have a puppy, it will make life much more comfortable in the long run if you establish a regular cleaning routine early on, so that the dog grows up used to it. If you have an older dog, however, you'll just have to accept that they aren't going to be particularly thankful for your services. Now, you can attempt to clean them yourself. Cotton balls and commercial ear cleaner should be enough to get most of the unwanted nasties from your dog's ears. Aim for roughly once a week, but avoid using cotton swabs as they can exacerbate matters by pushing the debris and ear wax further into the ear canal. It can also help to trim hairs growing in your dog's ears, as they are a net for dust and dirt. You can do that, but it would much easier—and produce much better results—to take your furry friend to a groomer, like Reading Dog Grooming & Pet Spa, and have it done professionally. Our dog groomers are experienced in this kind of thing and will be able to see to it that your pet's ears are clean as a whistle. If you need ear cleaning for dogs in Reading PA, don’t hesitate to give us a call today to schedule your appointment. Floppy Ears One final note. While all dogs' ears need properly looking after to maintain your pooch's health, dogs with large, floppy ears are more at risk. Having debris in their ear may be irritating, but it is infections that cause real pain. Germs love dark, moist spaces like the inside of your dog's ear, closed off by their large floppy ears. Take care of your dog's ears regardless, but be extra vigilant if your pup has a pair of large flappers! |
Schedule Your Ear Cleaning Today! |
Schedule Your Dogs Ear Cleaning Today!