{"id":3002,"date":"2021-08-17T04:53:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-17T12:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/dog-training-pittsburgh\/?p=3002"},"modified":"2025-02-15T17:34:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T01:34:03","slug":"ear-care-for-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/dog-training-pittsburgh\/uncategorized\/ear-care-for-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Ear Care For Your Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of <\/span>grooming <\/span><\/a>and hygiene for your pet to keep him happy and healthy. Ear cleanings help prevent infections and irritations and are especially important in breeds with floppy ears. But do all dogs need their ears cleaned? And how do you clean your dog’s ears, especially if he’s not fond of it? Read on for Sit Means Sit’s answer.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Is Important<\/b><\/h1>\n

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Cleaning your dog’s ears keeps them clear of dirt, bacteria, and yeast that can cause an uncomfortable and smelly ear infection in your dog. These foreign materials can get trapped in the ear canal and cause irritation, making him scratch or shake his head continuously to try to dislodge it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do All Dogs Need Their Ears Cleaned?\u00a0<\/b><\/h1>\n

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The short answer is no. Not all dogs need to have their ears cleaned if they show no signs of needing them cleaned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, dogs with floppy ears like Goldendoodles, bloodhounds, and cocker spaniels need their ears cleaned frequently. A floppy ear prevents air from circulating into the ear canal, creating a dark, moist environment perfect for growing yeast and bacteria. With these types of dogs, it is imperative to keep their ears dry and cleaned out after <\/span>water fun<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Some dogs that grow a lot of hair in their ears, like Goldendoodles, will also need the hair inside their ear removed to make the cleaning process effective. Excess hair in your dog’s ears can lead to further entrapment of bacteria, yeast, and moisture. Consult your veterinarian or local groomer to find out how to complete this process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Do I Know If My Dog’s Ears Need Cleaning?\u00a0<\/b><\/h1>\n

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To determine if your dog’s ears need cleaning, you want to first look in his ears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A healthy ear will appear pink, odorless, and not dirty or inflamed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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If your dog is shaking his head, scratching, or you notice an odor coming from his ears (and trust me, you’ll know when you smell it!), he probably is ready for a cleaning. Before you start bringing out the cleaning solutions, though, be sure to look inside his ears to make sure they aren’t infected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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If they are red, inflamed, or painful, contact your veterinarian. This could mean an infection is present and requires medication to treat it. In these cases, cleaning could make the infection worse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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It is important to note also that overcleaning your dog’s ears can cause them to dry out and become irritated, which can also lead to infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears<\/b><\/h1>\n

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Here’s what you’ll need to start the cleaning process:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n