Whether your pup's ears regularly stand at alert or drag through the dirt, they probably fall into a handful of ear shapes with whimsical names. Candle flame, tulip, button, and rose aren't just code names: they actually describe the form that a dog's keen listening devices might take. Click through and see if you can spot the ear that most looks like those found on your own dog!
Staying clean is key, especially for doggies with droopy ears since dirt and bacteria can get trapped inside, multiply, and cause an infected disaster. Yuck. Oftentimes, a bad odor will clue you in to an ear issue, and always check with a vet to make sure the problem isn't serious before settling on a solution. Regardless of how you squirt and swab ears down, don't forget to do these three things before you get started:
Continue with the tips and read more
Rainy days go away! Not only does the wet stuff totally annoy some pets, it can be harmful, too. Check out this message about a three-year-old blue American Pitbull:
We rescued Diva at seven months old, and she had already had her ears clipped. It was a chop job to say the least — the problem now is that she is getting gunk in her ears when we walk, especially in the rain. I am looking for something to protect her ears and not block her hearing.
To see my advice, and offer your own, read more
One of my favorite things about lil North — this is not him, but that was — was his flippy floppy ears. While they drooped forward when he was very small, they stood up for a few puppy months before one, and occasionally both, suddenly started flopping backwards. While I didn't care if they never stood back up again, and wouldn't tape them, I didn't know this was totally normal!
Do you know why some pups have droopy ears that stand up, then droop and stand up again? It's not for the reason I thought but find out if you'll be surprised and read more
I'm ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, but must admit I am not a fan of the noise that accompanies fireworks — lovely as they may be. Those booming sounds can really damage the delicate structures in your ears; once they're damaged, they never regenerate and can't be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.
NIHL can be caused by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels (dB) then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:
Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB
To see how fireworks measure up read more
Mommy Dearest,
I've been noticing a little earwax in my 3-month-old daughter's ears. Is it OK to clean it out with a Q-Tip?
— Wax Woes
To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more
With the weather out here in California constantly changing from hot, to windy, to cold, and back again, I noticed that North's ears tend to get dirtier faster (especially with us hitting the beach more often in the Summer months). I like to clean his ears about once a week or so with Fuzzyard Organic Ear Cleanser ($22) that contains Aloe Vera to soothe, and a mixture of Almond and Macadamia nut oils to soften stubborn wax.
But, if you aren't keen on the liquid solutions, I learned that Samson uses Earthbath Ear Wipes ($9) that come in a jar of 25. Since they are all natural, they don't sting or burn, and LilPeaPod tells me they work great! If your pet is a swimmer, it's especially important to keep an eye out for ear infections, and cleaning regularly will help stave off any problems. What do you use to keep your pet's ears clean?
Fourth of July means fireworks! I don't want to rain on your parade (since the Fourth is often celebrated with parades, too), but the loud pops and bangs of fireworks can cause serious hearing damage.
When the delicate structures in your ear called hair cells — sensory cells located in your inner ears responsible for converting sound energy into electrical signals — are damaged, they never regenerate and cannot be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.
NIHL can be cause by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:
Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB
To see how fireworks compare read more
Q: I have an English Cocker Spaniel at home, and, as this breed is notorious for ear problems, I was hoping you had some tips about how to clean the dog's ears safely and effectively. I usually take her to the groomers, but I was not very pleased with her grooming last time. Help!
A: Cleaning ears is extra important for dogs like spaniels, hounds, or other breeds with long, floppy ears. Buy an ear cleansing solution from your local pet store (like Veterinarian's Best Ear Relief Wash & Dry). For droopy-eared pooches, first hold the ear up and back. Either soak a cotton swab with the liquid or squirt the solution into your pet's ear (per the instructions on the bottle). After cleansing, massage the dog's head directly under his ears for about 30 seconds to allow the solution to penetrate.
Allow the dog to shake out the excess liquid. Be careful not to let go of your pup's head before you massage it in so he doesn't shake it out before it can work! If your pup's ears have wax or debris, next use a soft cloth to wipe them out. Never insert a cloth down the ear canal! Finally, hold your pet's ears back to allow them to dry and consider applying an ear drying cream or powder to speed the process. Remember, talk in a soothing voice to your pet during this time and, if during any part, he seems troubled, schedule an appointment with a vet or groomer. This way, you can get an expert tutorial.
