It’s not uncommon for pet owners to wonder whether they should trim their pup’s ear hair. After all, some breeds have hair that grows long and wild, and can even become a source of discomfort for your pup. But is it a good idea to trim your dog’s ear hair? That’s the question we’ll be exploring in this blog post. There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether you should trim your pup’s ear hair. We’ll look at the arguments for and against trimming your pup’s ear hair, as well as potential health benefits. We’ll also take a look at the best methods for trimming your pup’s ear hair, and the risks associated with attempting to do the job yourself. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of whether or not trimming your pup’s ear hair is the right decision for you and your pet.
To trim the hair from you dog’s ears, follow these steps:
1. Assemble your tools. You’ll require a pair of blunt-nosed scissors made specifically for cutting hair, which are sold in pharmacies. Additionally, keep some Cowboy Magic® Detangler & ShineTM on hand.
2. Prepare your dog. Ensure that your dog is at ease, then request that he sit in front of you. If your dog is a wiggler, ask a friend or family member to hold him still while you work.
3. Prepare the hair. To make the hair smooth and simpler to cut, spray it with a little Cowboy Magic® Detangler & ShineTM.
4. Position the ear. In order to prevent the hair you cut from falling into your dog’s ear canal, hold his ear out to the side.
5. Trim the hair. Trim the hair sticking out of his ear with the scissors. Don’t accidentally nick him by cutting too close to the skin.
If your dog is very resistant to this procedure, think about having a professional groomer handle him. Otherwise, while he is struggling, you might accidentally cut him with the scissors.
Keep your dog’s floppy ears clean to prevent an infection from growing inside where there isn’t enough airflow. Several breeds, including the bloodhound, labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel, have floppy ears that are vulnerable to infection.
Dog’s PerspectiveA dog’s ears are delicate structures. Just like you would not like someone touching and manipulating your ear, your dog probably does not either. If hair in the ear has already contributed to moisture build-up and a yeast infection, the ear will also be sore and uncomfortable, and your dog may not appreciate your manipulating his ear to trim that excess hair. You will need to be firm and gentle to convince your dog that you are not going to hurt him and that he needs to remain still while you are working on his ears. Using treats or an assistant to help restrain and comfort your dog may be useful.
Use appropriate scissors in the first place Use a pair of blunt-nosed scissors with sharp edges made specifically for cutting hair. Clean the ear first with a damp cotton ball. Step 2: Hold the dog Have a helper hold the dog while pulling the dog’s head up against the person’s shoulder with their arm under the dog’s neck. Step 3: Prep the ear Hold your dog’s ear out and to the side to prevent hair from getting in the ear canal or cover it with cotton balls. To make it easier to handle and cut, lightly mist hair with detangler or water. Step 4: Trim hair Use scissors to trim any extra hairs that are sticking out of the ear canal. Be careful not to nick the skin. Get as close to the skin as you can without risking cutting your dog. Step 5: Finish up Wipe the area around your ears with a damp cotton ball to get rid of any remaining hairs.
Clipper Step 1: Get a trimmer First, use a damp cotton ball to clean the ear. Obtain a small personal trimmer, such as a bikini trimmer, a nose hair trimmer, or a clipper/trimmer designed specifically for dog ears. Before continuing, get your dog used to the sound of the trimmer around the head and face. Step 2: Secure your dog Have a helper hold your dog while pulling the dog’s head up against their shoulder with their arm under the dog’s neck. The third preparation step is to hold your dog’s ear out and to the side to prevent slipping hair from getting into the ear canal. Adding cotton balls to the canal will also help to protect it. Step 4: Trim Carefully use the trimmer to remove any hairs that are sticking out of the ear and at the opening to the ear canal. Step 5 Cleanup When you are finished, use a damp cotton ball to wipe the area around your ears to get rid of any remaining hairs.
At Hair of the Dog, we assess each pet individually. We never want to pluck your pet’s hair if it isn’t necessary because that would make them uncomfortable. Please inform us of any advice your veterinarian has given you regarding ear plucking so we can record it in your pet’s file.
The eardrum is situated at the tip of the “L”-shaped ear canal. The external, middle, and inner ears make up the three components that make up the canal. The external ear and a portion of the middle ear are visible when you look inside your dog’s ear. Skin cells normally grow from the inside out under normal circumstances. As a result, the skin’s bottom layer rises to the top. However, any stimuli (chemical or physical) can quicken the production of skin cells. The extra skin cells die and accumulate in your pet’s ear canal as a result, having nowhere to go. The ear functions as a self-maintenance system in a healthy ear with normal cell production, keeping the ear in balance. These dead skin cells are removed by the skin flora, which are microscopic organisms that reside on the skin’s surface. Parasites, food allergies, the environment, and moisture are just a few of the potential causes of ear problems, especially in breeds with low-hanging, floppy ears. It is imperative that you never attempt to delve deeper than the external ear, even though you can see into the middle.
We’ll talk about how to properly clean your dog’s ears now that you know a little bit about the anatomy and function of the ear. At HOTD, we gently massage a small amount of ear cleaning solution into the base of the external ear. This assists in removing wax and debris from the middle and inner ear and pushing it out to the surface. The wax buildup is then removed with a cotton ball.
Regular dog grooming includes cleaning your dog’s ears. Different veterinary experts have differing views on how to properly clean and pluck an animal’s ears. We’ll explain what’s happening in your dog’s ear in this blog, along with how and when we clean it.
Of course, dog’s ears can vary significantly by breed. For instance, the floppy ears that hang low and obstruct airflow are common to breeds like Beagles, Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, and Springer Spaniels. Once inside the ear, the bacteria have the perfect dark, moist environment to grow. For these breeds, we use ear cleaner and cotton balls. Even though dogs with erect ears, like German Shepards and Corgis, are less likely to experience this issue, we still clean the ears as part of general grooming.
FAQ
How do you trim a hairy dog’s ears?
Many dog groomers will remove small sections of your dog’s ear hair. Some dog owners prefer to use scissors or clippers rather than doing this out of concern for hurting their dog in a sensitive area. With the hair in your dog’s ears being cut, they will appear neat and tidy. A tidy ear also stays cleaner and healthier.
Do groomers trim inside dogs ears?
Ear cropping is painful and completely unnecessary. Contrary to what some breeders may assert, cropping a dog’s ears has no positive effects on the animal. Their welfare, behavior, and health may suffer both immediately and over time as a result.
Why you shouldn’t cut your dog’s ears?
When a dog is professionally groomed, plucking is frequently a routine procedure. Just let your groomer know ahead of time if you prefer not to have your dog’s ears clipped. If you feel comfortable doing it yourself, ask your groomer to demonstrate how to remove your dog’s ears at home.