Ear Educated: A Groomer's Take on Grooming, Plucking, and Ear Cleaning Etiquette

Let's get one thing straight (or clean): grooming a dog's ears isn't rocket science, but it sure creates plenty of debate. Ear cleaning, ear plucking, and proper ear care are topics that often spark strong opinions between groomers, veterinarians, and pet owners. Understanding where a groomer's role begins—and where it ends—helps everyone work together for the benefit of the dog.

Why Some Groomers Have Become Cautious Or Outright Refuse About Ear Plucking

Picture this: your veterinarian examines your dog's ears, and sometime afterward an ear infection develops. Even if the groomer followed standard grooming protocols weeks earlier, they're often the first person blamed.

This is one reason many groomers have become more conservative with ear plucking and ear cleaning.

Some of the reasons include:

• Client backlash after veterinary visits. Groomers frequently hear comments like, "You pulled too much hair," "You didn't pull enough," "You poked too deep," "You got water in the ears," or "You should have cleaned them better," even when they followed accepted grooming practices.
• Deep ear debris. Groomers generally don't remove debris deep within the ear canal. Material can surface after a veterinary examination or cleaning, creating the impression that the groomer caused the problem.
• Ear infections appearing later. Moisture, wax, allergies, and many other factors contribute to ear infections. When one develops after a grooming appointment, the groomer is often blamed regardless of the actual cause.
• Different professional training. Veterinarians receive medical training, while groomers receive grooming education. Both professions have valuable knowledge, but they approach ear care from different perspectives.
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What Do Grooming Guidelines Recommend?

According to AKC guidance and professional grooming education, routine ear maintenance is generally limited to the visible portions of the ear.

Safe grooming practices typically include:

• Wiping only the visible outer ear with a cotton ball or pet-safe wipe.
• Avoiding Q-tips or cotton swabs inside the ear canal.
• Lightly thinning ear hair, when appropriate, to improve airflow rather than completely removing every hair.
• Keeping water out of the ear during bathing by gently closing the ear flap and, when appropriate, using cotton for protection.

Additional recommendations often include:

• Protecting floppy ears during bathing and drying to reduce trapped moisture.
• Thoroughly drying the ears after the bath, since excess moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast.
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Groomers Aren't Trying to Be Veterinarians

Professional groomers care deeply about ear health, but they're not veterinarians and shouldn't be expected to perform medical procedures or diagnose ear disease.

What groomers do exceptionally well is:

• Helping prevent water from entering the ears during bathing.
• Using appropriate ear-cleaning products during routine grooming.
• Following safe, consistent grooming protocols designed to maintain cleanliness without venturing into medical treatment.

Think of groomers as helping maintain healthy ears—not treating unhealthy ones.

Groomer-Style Ear Care at Home

If you want to perform routine ear maintenance between grooming appointments, keep it simple.

• Use a veterinarian- or groomer-approved ear cleaner or plain witch hazel if appropriate for your pet.
• Apply the cleaner to a cotton ball or soft wipe rather than directly into the ear.
• Clean only the visible outer portion of the ear.
• Never insert cotton swabs or other objects deep into the ear canal.
• Dry the ear thoroughly after cleaning.
• If you notice redness, swelling, discharge, a foul odor, pain, or excessive scratching, stop cleaning and schedule a veterinary examination.

If your breed commonly grows dense ear hair, gentle thinning with your fingers may help improve airflow. Avoid excessive pulling, and if you're unsure whether your dog should have ear hair removed, ask your groomer or veterinarian.

Breeds That Commonly Benefit From Ear Hair Maintenance

Some breeds naturally grow more hair inside the ears or have floppy ears that reduce airflow.

These often include:

• Cocker Spaniel
• Bichon Frise
• Poodle (Toy, Miniature, and Standard)
• Schnauzer
• Shih Tzu
• Lhasa Apso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Golden Retriever
• Cockapoos, Labradoodles, and many other Doodle mixes
• West Highland White Terrier

Every dog is different, so ear maintenance should always be based on the individual dog's needs rather than breed alone.

Final Thoughts

Good ear care doesn't require drama. Groomers and veterinarians each play different but equally important roles in keeping your dog's ears healthy.

Routine grooming helps maintain cleanliness and reduce moisture buildup, while veterinarians diagnose and treat medical ear conditions.

When each professional stays within their area of expertise and pet owners understand the difference, everyone benefits, especially the dog.