Ears are arguably one of the cutest features on our dogs, regardless of how big, small, flopping or bat-like they are. Since dogs use their ears so much to communicate, it can be endearing to see all of the different ways they move around. Just like us, though, their ears need some special care to keep infections and other ailments away. There’s nothing too complicated about caring for your dog’s ears, but it’s good to know some key tips on keeping them clean and healthy.
#1 – Clean
Cleaning your dog’s ears is the most important part of keeping them healthy. There are many different ways to clean your dogs ears and there are several different products you can use. What’s best for your dog should be determined with your veterinarian, as they’re going to know what’s safest and most effective. It’s recommended that your clean your dog’s ears about once a week, unless there is an infection or other ailment that requires treatment. For healthy ears, however, once a week should be ample to remove all of the dirt, wax and allergens that make their way in.
#2 – Examine
A good ear exam at home can help catch an infection early on, making treatment faster and more comfortable for your pup. Ear infections can become very, very painful and making sure you start treating as soon as possible is important. Before you clean your dog’s ears once a week, check to see how much dirt and debris are inside and take note – if you notice more and more each week, it could be a sign of infection building up. Also pay attention to any scabs, redness or other irritation. Mites, fleas and ticks are also harder to spot, but gently working through the hair during your exam will help spot them. Make sure your veterinarian examines your dog’s ears during his or her yearly check-up, too.
#3 – Diet Control
While cleaning removes environmental allergens, dogs that have food allergies are susceptible to ear infections as well. For example, if your dog is allergic to beef, consuming a lot of beef in their diet can cause very bad ear infections. In order to keep your pup’s ears healthy, you’ll have to make sure that diet isn’t playing a role in chronic ear infections. You are what you eat, they say, and your dog’s ear health is just as much effected by diet as the rest of their bodies.
