How does a healthy dog ear work?

A healthy dog´s ear does not need assistance in keeping clean. Bouts of ear inflammation can disrupt the normal physiological ear cleaning mechanism. Learn more about how you can support this process.

The ear canal is a tubular extension of the skin with some extra features. Skin cells mature and slough off approximately every three weeks. As this process is harder in a tube, the ear has a self-cleaning mechanism that involves the production of ear wax (otherwise known as cerumen). Skin cells travel outwards and carry wax, microorganisms that normally reside on the skin surface and any foreign material that needs to be removed, towards the ear opening like a conveyor belt. This allows the dog to clean its own ears.

Self cleaning is important - if the ear drum area is covered in wax and skin cells then it is impossible for the dog to hear, one of the senses they rely heavily on.

If the self-cleaning mechanism fails due to inflammation and swelling, dirt and debris can build up. This creates a perfect environment for the bacteria and yeasts that normally live on the skin in low numbers, to multiply and overgrow (leading to an ear infection).

Healthy dog ear animation

Healthy dog ears contain lots of yeast and bacteria, this is normal, but if the environment is not balanced, these microorganisms can overgrow and cause further disturbances to the ear canal. Microbial overgrowth is not contagious and will not spread to other members of the household.

With recurring inflammation or poor timing, chronic changes to the ear canal might develop which makes the ear inflammation harder to treat. This might give opportunistic bacteria in the environment a possibility to invade the ear and it can cause deeper middle ear or even inner ear involvement that makes life miserable for your dog and you.

Watch this video on how to clean your dog’s ears

Collaborate with your veterinary team to find the perfect ear cleaner for your dog and support its ear health and wellbeing. The supporting video provides step-by-step insight into:

  • The importance of a confident and calm environment

  • Why you should warm the ear cleaner bottle before usage

  • Hands on tips and tricks on how to perform the ear cleaning

  • What ear cleaning will do for the ear canal by breaking up wax and debris

Watch this video on how to clean your dog’s ears

Healthy dog ears contain lots of yeast and bacteria, this is normal, but if the environment is not balanced, these microorganisms can overgrow and cause further disturbances to the ear canal. Microbial  overgrowth is not contagious and will not spread to other members of the household.

With recurring inflammation or poor timing, chronic changes to the ear canal might develop which makes the ear inflammation harder to treat. This might give opportunistic bacteria in the environment a possibility to invade the ear and it can cause deeper middle ear or even inner ear involvement that makes life miserable for your dog and you.

There is no need to clean a healthy dog's ear, as it cleans itself. Cleaning is only required where there is a failure in this natural self-cleaning mechanism.To learn more, click here. 

Some dog breeds have excessive hair growth in their ear canals, and they may be more prone to get ear disease. However, hairy ears do not always lead to an ear problem. If your dog isn´t experiencing any issues with its ears, it is better to not pluck the hair. If you have any doubts, discuss this with your vet on your next visit. 

In general, dogs with heavy, tight-closing earflaps or narrow ear canals, are more prone to ear disease. The breeds most affected are Basset hounds, Chinese Shar Peis, Labradoodles, Beagles, and Golden Retrievers. Equally, dogs who are prone to more generalised skin disease due to allergies, may also be prone to ear problems as part of a wider problem.

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