Some people sadly resort to ear cropping their dogs for cosmetic reasons. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site I created to share everything Ive learned about pet ownership over the years and my extensive research along the way. Your email address will not be published. Ear problems often go hand in hand with allergies and sensitivities, however it can also be indicative of some other internal issues going deep within the dogs body. Often your dog will flap his ears because of an allergy, with a food allergy being the most common culprit. Here is a brilliant product to get and use from Amazon: Dont use human shampoo, vinegar, olive oil, or other substances to clean your dogs ears. Unfortunately, if left unattended, ear debris can cause an ear infection which can bring pain and other prolonged problems, not to mention a potentially large vet bill. Ear vasculitis can be caused by a variety of things, among them vaccine interaction, fly bites, frostbite, immune disease, tick-borne illnesses, and other environmental factors. Some of the things to look out for are foreign bodies, blockages, and sores. Diagnosing a food allergy involves putting a dog on a diet that contains a single carbohydrate (e.g., rice or potato) and single source of protein that has never been fed to the dog before (e.g., duck or venison) or that has been hydrolyzed (broken down into tiny, non-allergenic pieces). Many ear infections come about because of moisture thats been trapped in your dogs ears after hes been for a swim. Learn the basic anatomy of your dogs ears, as well as the basics of ear cleaning and both you and your dog will be so much the better for it. So, this is not something you should consider to alleviate or try and help your dog. So maybe we don't share the exact same morning ritual with our best friends, but it's tempting to imagine our dogs like to wake up the same way we do. An extra barrier/gatekeeper for sound waves for enhanced sound detection. As with humans, food allergies are the most prevalent type of allergies, so its worth checking your dogs diet. Dogs usually flap their ears because of ear problems. How long for? When dogs angle their ears, they're letting the pouch do its job more effectively. Your dogs skin can become mutilated or severely inflamed as a result. In such instances the blood vessels of a dogs ear flaps become inflamed. The forces generated by a vigorous shake are impressive, as anyone who has been whacked by a dogs flailing ear can tell you. Although, dogs may also flap their ears because of deeper internal health problems. Sometimes a simple ear flush can be enough to remove the debris without causing too much pain or discomfort to your dog. When dogs feel itchiness or irritation in their ears, they instinctively shake their heads. It is important to check your dogs ears after it has spent some time rolling or playing outside. Dogs scratch their ears because of ear mites or infections. "They want to stretch out and they want to get their muscles ready for activity. It is not unusual for a foreign body to get stuck in your dogs ears. Dogs with ears that point straight up tend to be less susceptible to ear problems (though they can still happen.). Chances are, if your dog is flapping its ears, something is up. It could be that they're happy to see you again after dreams of chasing rabbits, or because in the night we secrete sweat and oils in our sleep and may taste delicious to them. However, its a good idea to bear in mind the possible occasions where ear flapping is a sign of a more serious problem. If you think your dogs ears may be infected, get your dog to the vet for a course of antibiotics. First, its important to understand why dogs shake their heads. Getting the advice and support of a vet is the right place to start. Because ear vasculitis and other infections are caused by bacteria, the right antibiotics can do the job. Why is my dog throwing up in the morning? And sometimes, tumors. If you are taking regular care of your dogs ears, your dog has a better chance of avoiding infections (provided hes not allergic to anything, see above.). Helps dogs fold/flatten their ears, like a fold or pocket in luggage. Microorganisms will start growing in the form of bacteria or yeast and will soon have your beloved dog shaking its head and flapping its ears excessively. A simple ear flush might be able to help alleviate your dogs condition if there are no blockages to be found. "They want to stretch out and they want to get their muscles ready for activity. Your dogs ears are highly sensitive and delicate, so ear flushing or any deep investigation into your dogs ears is best carried out by your vet. Unlike humans that have a short ear canal, dogs have a long narrow ear canal that makes an almost 90-degree bend as it travels to the deeper parts of the ear. There are several things that can cause ear vasculitis, such as: See below for how to treat ear vasculitis. [What Can It Mean, Exactly?]. This kind of doggie action is deemed cute and beloved canines are even encouraged and rewarded for doing it. While thoroughly researched and meticulously checked, the content on Pet Educate does not constitute, nor should replace any pet medical advice. Otherwise, a vet can help you find whats causing the problem. They've been in the same stationary position for an extended period of time so it's only natural that they do some body shaking to stretch the muscles out. Individuals can be allergic to ingredients in their food or triggers in their environment (pollen, mold spores, dust or storage mites, etc.). "Don't stretch and you risk successfully hunting and you starve. It's charging the system.". When one dog does the ear flap, it seems to trigger a sympathetic ear flap response in the other. There are other factors that contribute more commonly to ear infections, such as: Removing a dogs ears (or just the flaps) to avoid infection is not only ineffective but dangerous, unnecessary, and cruel. Ear hematomas, also called aural hematomas, are usually caused by excessive head shaking or scratching due to an ear infection, mites, allergies, or other irritation inside the ear canal. Helps aid in the detection of higher pitched sounds by attenuating lower pitches. Naturally Derived Ingredients Pet ear drops are made with non-irritating ingredients derived from nature's soothing elements. Keep in mind, however, that excessive ear flapping can be indicative of much more serious conditions such as ear infections, ear vasculitis, allergies, or ear blockage, especially when you see other symptoms such as swelling and redness. So finding the root of the problem and taking the appropriate step to rectify it is going to be the best course of action here. When they get up, they want to start moving. If left untreated, flies, ticks, or other insects can cause severe damage to your dogs ears. Even though ear infections can be more prevalent in dogs with drooping ears, not all dogs with drooping ears get ear infections. 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. While its common for dogs to flap their ears, it usually means that something is not quite right. But is it a possible cause for concern? For dogs, stretching and shaking is likely hardwired instinct. Your dog will naturally flap his ears to try to get rid of the intruders. As a matter of fact, a lot of people find it very cute when their dogs flap their ears. How To Potentially Spot Or Avoid Problems Leading To Flapping Ears, TropiClean Alcohol Free Ear Wash for Pets, 4oz - Alcohol Free - Made in USA - Dog Ear Cleaner Solution - Dog Ear Wash - Pet Otic Drops - Soothes Itching & Infection - Vet Recommended, My Dogs Acts Like He Sees Something [What Does This Mean? Certain dog breeds tend to be more prone to ear vasculitis than others, although any dog can get inflamed ear flaps. Allergies not only lead to ear flapping but also to hair loss, chewing on foot, as well as chronic ear infections. All these might make your heart melt and you might even be asking your dog to do more. Im also a technical writer for my day job and have helped several clients write about dog training and behavior. It could be your dog needs to change his diet, or you need to get him different bedding. Allergies, sensitivities, or even a stuck foreign object can all be the cause. This firm lump simply under the skin will frequently result in much more head shaking. In animal anatomy, Henry's pocket, more formally known as a cutaneous marginal pouch, is a fold of skin forming an open pouch on the lower posterior part of the external ear. While this can solve the problem if the dog has some water, a piece of grass, or an insect in his ear, continued head shaking indicates that the irritation is ongoing and needs to be addressed. Helps dogs fold/flatten their ears, like a fold or pocket in luggage. 2022 Group Nine Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Why do dogs have a flap on their ears? Hi, Im Tiffany. If your dog has an ear infection, you will most likely need to step up the cleaning routine to three times a week. There are many things that can damage or block your dogs ears so it is necessary to examine them if you notice excessive head shaking or ear flapping. These are the kind of questions to ask to try to identify the root of the issue. Like Angela Adan, a California-based dog trainer, who also happens to be into yoga. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Dogs have ear slits because they help to regulate their body temperature. Your dog may give you morning licks as a way of greeting you after you've both had a sleep. Its easy enough for your dog to pick up all kinds of debris when hes off running through the woods or through fields. Ear infections are very common among canines and is most likely caused by moisture trapped in the ear canal from the result of grooming, bathing, and swimming. If your dog is shaking his head repeatedly and the behavior does not stop over the course of a day or so, its time to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Usually, it is not something serious for owners to be concerned about. Environmental allergies are best diagnosed through intradermal skin testing, but blood testing is a reasonable option for some dogs. Consult your veterinarian right away if you notice anything out of the ordinary. The pocket is situated in the approximate location of the antitragus in the human ear. Just like with their humans, food is the most common cause of allergies in dogs, as well as inhaling or touching something which is considered dangerous by their immune system. The dog must eat only this food for a month or two. Ear infections are very common among canines and is most likely caused by moisture trapped in the ear canal from the result of grooming, bathing, and swimming. And leave the cotton swabs for other household uses: cotton swabs only push wax or debris further inside your dogs ear. All fields are required. What to Do About a Dog That Bullies Other Dogs. Like many of the reasons why dogs do the things they do, the origins of the morning stretch - and often shake - can be traced back to a time when every day was a battle to survive. There are several things you can do if your dog keeps flapping his ears, depending on what you suspect the cause might be. It doesnt. So, when should you start to worry about your pets head shaking? ", "Evolution favors the prepared," Rosenberg adds.
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