How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears











Cropping Dog’s Ears

Cropping a dog’s ears involves a surgical procedure to remove part of the dog’s ears. This practice is limited to only a few breeds like Boxers, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, and Great Danes. Dog ear cropping surgery has no medical benefits and is usually done only for cosmetic purposes. It is not necessary to a dog’s health.

There are certain breeds like Dobermans that are considered to have a more “standard” look if their ears are cropped.

During ear cropping surgery over 70% of the ear flap is removed. This procedure can be very painful to a dog who is older than 12 weeks. At this young age most dogs won’t experience a high degree of pain while recovering. They still feel the pain, but not to the degree they would if the surgery were performed when they are older. But all dogs, whether young or old, will feel pain after the anesthetic wears off because a dog’s ears contain a profusion of nerve endings.

The average recovery time for this surgery is 12 to 14 days, and the dog will need to be given pain medication for 3 to 4 days after the surgery.

Some dog owners believe that cropping dog’s ears may prevent ear infections. It is an erroneous belief that not having the dog’s ear canal covered by the ear flap allows air to circulate more freely in the ear.

Dogs don’t need ear cropping. There is no proof that ear cropping has any benefits for a dog. There are often complications such as excessive bleeding or infection after the surgery, and too many cases have been recorded where a veterinarian has cut too deeply into the dog’s ear, with the unfortunate result of impairing the dog’s hearing ability.

Many veterinarians refuse to perform surgery for cropping a dog’s ears, and most animal rights advocates consider ear cropping to be an inhumane procedure. A dog is born with ears unique to its breed, and no dog should be forced to undergo ear cropping surgery.

Ear Problems in Dogs





(1) Debris in the ears.

(2) Allergies.

(3) Parasites.

(4) Trauma.

(5) Hormone Disorders.



How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

It’s important to know how to clean your dog’s ears the right way.

If you observe your dog repeatedly shaking its head or rubbing its ears along the nearest available surface, or if you smell a foul odor coming from its ears, check the ears for a waxy build-up. In addition, the ears may be red and painfully inflamed.

All of these signs are symptoms of otitis externa, or more commonly referred to as ‘ear infections’. As I write this my own dog has decided to demonstrate it for me. He sat up abruptly, starting shaking his head furiously, then lay back down on the rug and began rubbing the side of his head back and forth on the rug.

Canine ear infections result from an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria in the ear canal, causing redness, irritation and a heavy accumulation of wax. These conditions are usually skin reactions to inhaled allergens – like pollen, mold or dust mites. They can also be caused by food allergies and sensitivity to other external sources. If your dog has large ears like mine, it will be predisposed to ear infections.

We humans usually develop ear infections as a result of viral infections, usually when we’re babies or very young. The Eustachian tubes in our ears are very small and respiratory congestion can lead to blockage of these canals, resulting in a middle ear infection. Because the infection is internal, oral antibiotics are usually required to clear up the infection.

In contrast, dogs usually develop ear infections after they become adults, and the infection is almost always confined to the external portion of the ear. In most cases, the application of an effective ear wash made especially for dogs will clear up a mild infection and leave your dog’s ears clean again. I have used Ear Wash for Dogs from DogsHealth. This is an all-natural, proprietary blend of citrus oils with deionized water. It helps clear my dog’s ear canals of any accumulated debris and reduces wax buildup without alcohol, harsh chemicals or irritants that are common in other leading brands.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from a serious ear infection that doesn’t respond to cleaning, you should check with your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. If necessary, your vet may prescribe a topical medicine and advise routine cleaning with a product like Ear Wash for Dogs.

Knowing when and how to clean your dog’s ears is an important part of the care and maintenance required of all dog owners.