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• Is there an alternative to plucking dog ear hair?
• Does plucking the hair hurt the dog?
• Is dog ear plucking necessary? 
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At Grande Style Pet Grooming, located in the Northdale/ Carrollwood area in Tampa, we do not believe that the pet groomers should excessively pluck their clients dogs ears. We only remove hair that is in the exogen phase, and releases easily with finger and thumb. 

We never use ear powder, as this can clog the ears.

   The dogs ear canal is shaped like a capital letter L, glands and hair line inside the dog’s ear. The glands produce wax, and the hair moves it up and out to clean the ear. This is the way it is supposed to naturally. Dogs ears are self-cleaning! A normal, clean ear should pink and free of debris. 

   In the past, it has been recommended that dogs should have hair-free ears and ear plucking has been a regular part of dog grooming. New evidence has revealed that ear plucking in the normal, healthy ear is not necessary. Excessive ear plucking may actually result in micro-trauma and inflammation to the ear canals. This may predispose your dog to an ear infection. 

If your vet insists that ear hair be plucked, I recommend that the vet be the one perform the procedure.

   Alternatively, ears can be trimmed of excessive long hairs from the ear. This can  help reduce the amount of ear wax that gets trapped in the ear,  thereby minimizing the ear odor. This is commonly recommended by veterinary dermatologists.

   An ear cleansing solution  can help reduce the incidence of ear problems. Ask your veterinarian which product would be best for your dog. In her presentation to Tucson groomers, “Ears: What Every Groomer Needs to Know”, Dr. Heide Newton, DVM, DACVD plainly stated that groomers should stop plucking ear hair from inside dog’s ears. “Healthy ears are self-cleaning”, stated Dr. Newton. She encouraged groomers to continue the practice of ear cleaning, however, using products formulated for ear care, and massaging the base of the ear to allow the product to loosen wax and debris from deep in the ear canal.

   Another clear statement from Dr. Newton was that “Bathing with clean water will NOT cause ear infections.”  Contaminated water may introduce microbes that lead to ear infections, but clean water is not a problem. The possibility of cross-contamination from an infected ear to the other ear or another animal is the one area where groomers might be at fault.  It is very possible for pseudomonas bacteria to transfer from the ear to various surfaces and then be picked up by other animals or even humans.  The most obvious sign of a pseudomonas infection is what vets call a “purulent exudates.” Translation: yucky discharge.  If the groomer suspects an ear infection, Dr. Newton suggested the following protocol:

1. Clean the GOOD ear first.

2. If the ear with the suspected infection is cleaned, be gentle and use a non-stinging ear cleaner. The groomer may also choose to not clean an ear with a suspected infection, especially if it looks serious.

3. Disinfect everything that the dog has contact with or might spray with shaking of the ears. This includes, your hands, the tub, the faucets, any tools, the table, the kennel and bedding, and the tip or spout of the ear cleaner bottle.

   In addition to ear discharge, other signs of ear abnormality are redness, itchiness, odor, swollen tissue of outer ear, hair loss on earflap, and scabs or scaliness.  Ear problems are often quite complex and difficult to nail down and treat.  A referral to the veterinary dermatologist can result in a quicker and more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment, thus lessening the time the pet has to suffer with uncomfortable, often painful conditions.  By encouraging pet parents to seek treatment for suspected ear problems, the professional groomer is serving the needs of the pet.

Veterinary dermatologists such as Dr. Newton, undergo several years additional training and examinations beyond that required of general practitioners.  

   Dr. Newton is part of Dermatology for Animals, a network of veterinary dermatologists serving the Southwest United States.  In addition to working full-time in the Tucson practice, she currently serves on the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) Exam Committee (the certifying board) and is a lecturer for the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum (NAVDF) Resident Education Forum.

   Some pets are prone to ear problems and may need a regular ear cleansing between veterinary visits. I suggest using an ear cleansing solution every time your pet gets wet, as this helps dry out any moisture in the ear canal. I follow the instructions in the video immediately after each and every bath or swim.

   Ear cleansing can help remove dirt and wax that builds up as a normal part of epithelial migration (“self-cleaning”). It can also reduce the buildup of bacteria or yeast that may contribute to inflammation or infection. This is easy to do at home, see the video below  demonstrating the correct ear cleaning procedure.

    In my salon we always do this to prevent issues with your pets right after the final rinse in the tub ( only in healthy ears). Clients are encouraged to bring their own veterinarian recommended ear cleanser.

    Because ear cleansers may contain chemicals that are harsh on the delicate ear canals, it is important to use only products as recommended by your veterinarian. 

I personally avoid homemade preparations and products containing propylene glycol. If for any reason, your pet becomes agitated or the ear cleaning procedure is excessively painful for your pet, stop and seek veterinary advice.