How to Keep Your Dog’s Ears Healthy

Anyone with a Spaniel or a Scent Hound knows that floppy ears need help staying healthy. Dogs have very complex ears, breeds with floppy ears can quickly become victims of injury and illness. It is important to keep your dog’s ears healthy and clean so they can be more comfortable and their senses more keen. If you are unsure of where to begin, take a look below at how to keep your dog’s ears healthy. Stop your dogs from scratching their ears and irritating them and infecting them before an issue even starts. These simple tips and tricks can help you keep dog’s ears healthy. After all they need to be able to hear the mailman a mile away just in case he is delivering a box of dog treats.

1. Watch for changes.
Watch for changes in color, texture, or your dog’s behavior with his ears. Any change that lasts more than a few days may mean there is a problem. Give your vet a call if you notice any unusual changes so he or she can look into it.

2. Gently massage your dog’s ears.
This not only feels great to your dog, but it can loosen dirt and debris and help you note any problems. Use this time to relax your dog and peek into his ears and make note of any issues, pulling away, redness, or swelling.

3. Give them a wipe.
Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe the underside of your dog’s ears if he allows it. This is another great way to loosen dirt and debris as well as prevent build up. Do not use any cleaning solutions, q-tips, or cleaning products. Just a clean, damp cloth will do the job. If you need something stronger ask your veterinarian what they suggest. They often have products available at the office or can recommend something you can pick up during your next trip to the pet store.

4. Moderate noise.
Just like you would not want a television screaming into your ear, your dog does not want to be subjected to loud noises either. Watch noise levels and do not subject your dog to any long periods of excessive noise. They have much more sensitive hearing to being with

5. Color is key.
Healthy ears should be a whitish/pink color. Anything red, blue, or any discharge should be noted and spoken about with your vet immediately. Take a peek at your dog’s ears several times a week to check to see that the ears are a healthy color. It is easy and a great way to stay ahead of any potential issues.

Ears tend to clog more easily in the winter. While you would think the more hot and humid it is the more ear issues your dog can have, their ears actually drain better with the humidity as long as you are cleaning them regularly.