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Cleaning Your Pet's Ears? Be Careful, It Might Make Things Worse
Hello everyone, I'm Luckypet! Today, I'm here to share some information about the structure of pets' ear canals and the precautions to take when cleaning their ears.
Owning a pet means many pet parents are diligent about their pets' daily hygiene.
They regularly bathe them, express their anal glands, trim their nails, and clean their ears.
Speaking of ear cleaning, some pet parents not only love to clean their own ears but also enjoy cleaning their pets' ears.
But your pet's ears are delicate and shouldn't be cleaned without proper care!
Today, let's discuss how to properly care for your pet's ears…
Special Structure of Dog and Cat Ear Canals
Dogs and cats have unique ear structures consisting of the pinna (ear flap), outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Unlike human ear canals, which are straight, their ear canals have both vertical and horizontal parts, forming an "L" shape.
Dogs, depending on breed and size, have ear canals that vary in shape and size, with some breeds having abundant hair in their ear canals. Cats have less variation in their outer ear canals.
If you blindly use cotton swabs or other tools to clean your pet’s ears, you may end up pushing the dirt deeper instead of removing it. Pets may also struggle out of fear, which can cause ear canal injuries and lead to infections. There is also a risk of accidentally leaving the cotton swab tip inside their ears.
Every year, many cases require anesthesia to remove cotton swab tips accidentally left in pets' ears due to improper cleaning by pet parents.
How to Properly Clean Ear Canals
Tools Needed: Pet-specific ear cleaning solution, old newspapers, medical cotton balls
- Pour the pet-specific ear cleaning solution into your pet's ear canal until you can see the liquid.
- Gently massage the base of the ear to help dissolve ear canal secretions.
- Let your pet shake their head naturally. Use old newspapers to shield yourself from any dirt being shaken off.
- Use medical cotton balls to wipe away dirt from the outer ear. Remember, do not insert anything into the ear canal.
Healthy ear canals need cleaning only every 7-14 days. Over-cleaning can have the opposite effect.
How to Determine if Ears are Healthy
Generally, cats and dogs without ear problems do not require frequent ear cleaning. How do you tell if their ears are healthy?
First, observe from a distance. Check if your cat or dog frequently scratches their ears or shakes their head, which might indicate ear itching. Also, watch for signs of imbalance or head tilting, which could indicate inner ear issues.
Up close, check for hair loss, scratches, or redness around the ears. Are there increased secretions in the ear canal?
Finally, smell the ears. If there is a noticeable odor, be cautious!
If none of these issues are present, your pet's ears are likely healthy!
What to Do if You Notice Abnormalities
If you detect any abnormalities in your pet's ears, do not try to handle it yourself. Ear conditions in pets can vary greatly, from allergies, ear mites, fungal or bacterial infections, to more severe inner or middle ear issues that can cause neurological symptoms.
Improper treatment can worsen the condition and cause more significant harm.
Pet parents should put an Elizabethan collar on their pet to prevent further scratching and take them to a veterinarian. The vet will use professional instruments to diagnose the issue and provide targeted treatment.
Things to Avoid
Besides using cotton swabs to clean ears, avoid the following actions:
- Using non-pet-specific ear cleaners: Some pet parents use water, saline, or other solutions to clean their pet’s ears. These are ineffective and can harm the ear canal's skin or eardrum if used improperly.
- Plucking ear hair: Some dogs have hair in their ear canals, and pet parents may try to pluck it themselves. This procedure requires ear powder and professional tools and techniques to minimize discomfort.
- Ignoring deworming: Ear mites are common parasites that cause severe ear itching. Regular use of ear mite prevention treatments is essential.
Therefore, pet parents should use the correct methods to clean their pet's ears. If you cannot do it yourself, seek help from a professional pet groomer.
Observe your pet daily, seek medical attention promptly if issues arise, and avoid using incorrect methods that can harm your pet.
That’s it for today’s sharing.For more pet stories, news, care tips, and facts, please follow our blog.
