Ear Care For Pets

EAR CARE FOR PETS

Your pet’s ears are incredibly sensitive, serving as the source of acoustic input and guidance. But for some unlucky pets, their ears are also painful and inflamed. Fortunately, with diligent and appropriate care, you can protect your dog’s or cat’s sound satellites from discomfort and infection.

Eeeww.  What’s that smell? Common ear infection causes in pets

Dogs and, less commonly, cats can experience ear problems for several reasons. Common causes of ear infections include:

• Allergies — When exposed to an allergen—often a dietary protein or other food ingredient—allergic pets experience chronic inflammation and secondary infections. If allergies are to blame, both ears are equally affected. 
• Bacterial or fungal infection — The darkness and moisture inside your pet’s ear canal make it a natural home for good and bad microorganisms. When harmful bacteria and yeast begin to multiply, they create irritation, debris, and swelling inside the ear. Infections may occur on their own or secondary to allergies or foreign material in the ear canal.
• Foreign body — Foreign objects, such as seeds (e.g., foxtails), ticks, or small skin masses, can irritate the ear canal lining or block the ear canal altogether. Pets may shake their head or lean to one side in response to the unilateral discomfort.
• Ear mites — much more common in cats than in dogs, commonly blamed but rarely found.  Here’s the thing– ear mites are contagious, and the only way they can be transmitted is by one animal rubbing up against another’s head.  So if your pet lives by themselves… they don’t have ear mites.

Your pet’s ear anatomy

Proper ear care begins with an anatomy lesson. Dog and cat ears include:

• Pinna or ear flap — This may be erect, folded, or lie flat against the ear canal. The pinna acts as a funnel to catch sounds and relay them toward the eardrum.
• Vertical ear canal — This is the visible portion of your pet’s ear canal that ends in a fleshy wall before turning out of sight.
• Horizontal ear canal — This unseen portion terminates at the eardrum and other complex structures.

If you hadn’t guessed already, the vertical and horizontal ear canals form an “L” shape, which is convenient for maximizing sound reception and absorption but terrible for ventilation and ear health. When debris is trapped along the horizontal canal, it is virtually inaccessible to basic ear cleaning techniques.

Ear cleaning and care 101

Ear cleaning should be a regular part of your pet’s care routine. Although frequency will change based on your pet’s ear shape and predilection for infections, the basic procedure is the same for dogs and cats of any breed:

• Step 1: Gather supplies — This includes a pet-safe ear cleaner or a more economical yet equally effective 50/50 ratio of 70% isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar, cotton balls or rounds, and your pet’s favorite treats. Pay attention to where you’ll be cleaning your pet’s ears—things can get messy!
• Step 2: Check the ear — Inspect the ear for unusual heat, redness, swelling, discharge, odor, or visible abnormalities such as seeds, parasites, or growths. While occasional mild odor or discharge can be normal, recurring signs, pain, and scratching can indicate an underlying infection. If this happens, or if you notice a foreign object in the ear canal, contact your vet.
• Step 3: Wet a cotton ball with solution — Warm the wet cotton ball in your hand for a few moments to minimize your pet’s discomfort.
• Step 4: Gently insert the cotton ball and massage the ear — Place the cotton ball inside the vertical ear canal and massage the ear base for 20 to 30 seconds. This will loosen any surrounding debris and distribute the solution.
• Step 5: Remove the cotton ball and let your pet shake — Head shaking disperses most fluid from the ear canal and, ideally, the loosened debris. 
• Step 6: Dry the visible ear structures with another cotton ball. If your pet’s ears are particularly dirty, repeat steps 3 to 5.

• Step 7: Repeat the process on the other ear — Note any differences between the ears such as redness or amount of debris.

Strategies for maintaining pet ear health

In addition to routine ear cleaning and visual inspections, several other tasks are necessary to help ensure your pet’s ears remain healthy, comfortable, and clean. This includes:

• Cleaning your pet’s ears after bathing or swimming — Trapped water creates a bacterial or fungal paradise, so always follow water play with a thorough ear cleaning. The drying agent in your ear solution will remove unseen moisture and make the canal less hospitable to microorganisms.
• Check your pet’s ears after outdoor activity in wooded or grassy areas — Inspect your pet’s ears for foxtails or ticks and remove them before they have a chance to embed themselves in the skin.
• Remove ear hair in and around the canal — Promote airflow by keeping the area in and around the ear canal clipped or plucked. Use caution when plucking your pet’s ears or ask a groomer to do this for you.
• Monitor your pet’s behavior — Frequent head shaking, tilting, or rubbing can signal a brewing infection. Take these behavior cues as a sign to check your pet’s ears.
• Keep ear feathering clean and dry — Long, low-hanging ears can wick up moisture and debris. Consider having your pet wear a snood—a sleeve-like fabric cover that keeps ears clean and dry—while outside. 
• Address allergies — If your pet suffers from allergies, work closely with your veterinarian to determine their underlying cause. Until the trigger allergen is identified, exposed pets will continue to suffer from chronic ear infections and inflammation.

In addition to external care measures, supporting your pet’s immune system with an antioxidant-rich diet, anti-inflammatory supplements, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary care can boost their overall health and reduce their likelihood of ear infections, allergies, and many other inflammatory conditions.

 When it comes to helping your pet live longer, consistent positive actions such as routine ear care have a surprisingly large impact. The little decisions and efforts you make today to minimize inflammation, promote immune health, and increase comfort will have a lasting impact on your pet’s quality—and quantity—of life.

Are you ready to learn more simple yet powerful ways to help your pet enjoy a greater quality of life? Find that and more by downloading our free ebook, exploring our line of dietary supplements, or scheduling a concierge consultation to unlock the secrets of Helping Pets Live Longer.