Mary Allen
Caring for Ears & Teeth in Dogs: Avoiding Mistakes for Beginners
Dog owners know that caring for a dog can be difficult. Finally, some breeds need regular brushing to keep their coat from knotting. Brushing out also helps to remove dander and dirt from the skin. In addition to brushing, the dog should be checked for clean ear canals and teeth. Because far too often the animals do not indicate when pain arises in these two places. The veterinarian often only recognizes that there is a problem when the ear canal or teeth become inflamed. Prevent with regular care.
Dog’s Ear Canal
The ears are a very sensitive organ of the dog. You should therefore be particularly careful when caring for it and only use suitable utensils. Under no circumstances should you insert conventional cotton swabs into the dog’s ear canal. A critical check applies to the ear canal: Is the ear canal clean or is it blocked by brown to dark red earwax. In a healthy dog, the ear cleans itself through the production of earwax. However, if the animal is poorly fed or if foreign objects enter the ear, fungus, germs, and bacteria can build up. These then lead to complaints. The dog usually shows this by shaking its head frequently or scratching its ear. As the disease progresses, the dog can even become listless.
How you care for your dog‘s ears certainly depends on the health of the ear. If the dog has a lot of fur around the ear entrance, check regularly whether the ear looks healthy. Poor ventilation can otherwise lead to fungi and bacteria. Wipe the ear with a slightly damp cloth to collect debris and dirt. Then you should wipe the ear with a dry toilet paper or a handkerchief. If the dog suffers from parasites in the ear, work with an antiparasitic drug. This ear cleaner must be prescribed by a veterinarian and should not be used at your discretion.
To clean the dog’s ears, you should first create a calm atmosphere. The dog is allowed to relax and is given a toy or a chew to distract itself. Gently feel your way around the ear so as not to hurt or startle the animal.
Dental Care Not Always Required
It is easy to determine whether you should carry out regular dental care for your dog. First, carry out a visual inspection. If the teeth are yellowish or have brown edges towards the gums, this can be a sign of developing dental diseases. You should also pay attention to the smell of the dog’s mouth. Dogs certainly don’t always smell good from their mouths – especially after they’ve eaten. However, if the smell is often unpleasant or even acrid, you should immediately reach for the dental hygiene product.
You can start with simple chews. You support natural teeth cleaning, for example, when dogs chew on special chews for dental care. These ensure that deposits on the teeth are broken down and the gums can recover. You should also make sure to avoid sugar in food and snacks. Because it attacks the teeth.