How to Care for a Poodle's Ear Hair

The dropped ears of the standard poodle mean that these dogs require constant ear care. Dogs with low-hanging or dropped ears are more susceptible to ear infections, ear mites, yeast and bacteria. A poodle's ear canals in particular are deep and dark. The hair inside the ear grows about as thickly and quickly as the hair on the rest of the animal. When working with your dog's ears, be gentle and when in doubt always check with your veterinarian before applying any cleaning solutions or medications.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean cloth
  • Vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your dog's ears when you bathe him, preferably on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. A gentle dog shampoo or soap is fine for washing the ear hair as well.

    • 2

      Treat your dog's ears with a drying agent after washing. The ears should be thoroughly dried first. This can help reduce fungal and bacterial issues. White vinegar or rubbing alcohol mixed with water can be wiped inside the ear.

    • 3

      Look inside your standard poodle's ears once a week, making sure to gently rub the hair of the ear through your fingers and examine it as well. The ear hair and ear should be clean without any dark spots, redness, wax buildup or other debris. A darker, waxy discharge or dried blood that looks like flecks of black pepper can be an indication of ear mites.

    • 4

      Treat your dog for ear mites by applying a few drops of mineral oil to your dog's ears and ear hair with an ear syringe or eyedropper. Let the oil sit in the dog's ears for several minutes and massage extra oil around the ear while waiting.Ear mites are tiny, external parasites that feed on the skin and blood of animals. They are easily transferred from one animal type to another but do not affect humans. Mineral oil helps loosen and remove ear wax and smothers the ear mites. Let the dog shake the oil out when finished. A cotton ball wiped gently inside the dog's ears will remove excess wax, ear mite residue and the dead mites, although you won't be able to see them.

    • 5

      Smell your dog's ears. A dog's ears should not smell foul in anyway. If they do, there may be infection present. Dogs with allergies also have smelly ears sometimes, although it is hard to differentiate between an infection and allergies. If the odor is subtle it may indicate a mild infection and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear daily should clear it up within a few days. If the smell is very heavy or you see discharge from the ear, take the dog to the veterinarian for an evaluation. The vet will most likely prescribe antibiotics to clear up a more serious infection. Allergies are hard to diagnose, and you should talk with your vet if you suspect your poodle may be allergic to something in particular.

    • 6

      Wipe or wash away any visible dirt or debris in the ear hair or on the ear with a clean, damp cloth or cotton ball. Do not insert a cotton swab or any other long item into a dog's ear to clean it.

    • 7

      Trim or pluck ear hair inside the ear if you feel it is necessary. This is often a recommended procedure for dogs who get ear mites often. If you want to do this, you may want to consult with a veterinarian or dog groomer before attempting it on your own.