How to soothe dogs ears after grooming? (5-Step Guide)
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To soothe your dog’s ears after grooming, gently wipe away loose hair and debris from the outer ear, clean with a vet-approved dog ear cleanser, dry the ear thoroughly, and, if needed, apply a couple of drops of a soothing pet ear product. Mild redness or head shaking from clipping or ear-hair plucking usually settles within a day or two; if it doesn’t, or you notice swelling, discharge, a bad smell, or pain, see your vet.
Ear irritation after grooming is a common problem, especially for dogs who have the hair in their ear canals plucked. The good news is that there are ways to soothe your pup’s irritated ears following a grooming appointment! (Grooming can irritate other areas as well; see my dog's balls are red and irritated after grooming.)
In this blog post, we’ll look into 5 steps on how to soothe dogs’ ears after grooming – whether they suffer from discomfort, redness or itchiness. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Wipe away debris in the ear
To begin, use a cotton ball dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe loose hair and dirt from the visible part of your pup’s ear. Squeeze out excess water first, as you don’t want water running down into the ear canal.
Alternatively, Vet's Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes are a great option: they contain only natural ingredients such as Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, and Tea Tree Oil without containing parabens.
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Remove any excess oil
After applying the drops, let your pup give their head a good shake. This will help bring up any extra product that might be present and reduce the risk of irritation. Afterward, gently wipe the outer ear with a soft towel.
When to see the vet
Some head shaking and scratching right after grooming is normal and should fade within a day or two. Call your vet if your dog:
- Keeps shaking their head or scratching their ears for more than a couple of days
- Has a smelly ear, or yellow, brown, or bloody discharge
- Has a red, swollen, or hot ear, or yelps when you touch it
- Tilts their head, loses their balance, or has a puffy, fluid-filled ear flap (an ear hematoma, which can happen after a lot of head shaking)
Plucking can sometimes let bacteria or yeast take hold, so these signs may mean an ear infection that needs medicated drops. If your dog’s ears get irritated after every grooming visit, ask your groomer to skip plucking or talk to your vet about whether it’s necessary for your dog.
Final Word - Clean Ears!
A simple but effective way to soothe a dog’s ears after grooming is by following the five steps outlined above. Cleaning, oiling and drying their ears will help reduce potential irritation and discomfort while keeping them healthy.
Remember to always use pet-safe products when it comes to your pup’s health and well-being – you don’t want to put them in danger due to incorrect medical advice!
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