Pet care involves a lot of different steps, and grooming is one that should never be forgotten. Pet grooming in Alexandria helps to prevent homes from smelling like a zoo but also keeps animals healthy. One of the tasks completed during a thorough grooming session is ear cleaning. This may seem like a small part of the process, but there are some very important reasons it must be done regularly for both cats and dogs.
Remove Foreign Matter
Outdoor cats explore dirty, weedy areas. Dogs roll, run, and climb through everything. It is very easy for all animals to have dirt and debris enter their ears and very hard for them to remove it on their own. These items may cause infection or irritation and are often uncomfortable for the pet.
Prevent Ear Infections
Ear cleaning helps to remove excess wax that may lead to a painful ear infection. It is also an easy way to detect an infection before the dog or cat begins to suffer. Ear infections are very uncomfortable for any pet, and repeated events could cause hearing loss.
Discover Mite Infestations
Bathing helps to identify and remove fleas and ticks from pet coats, and ear cleaning does the same for ear mites. The tiny little critters may be incredibly small, but they have a big impact on pets infested with them. Many will scratch their ears until they lose fur and the ears begin to bleed. Cleaning eliminates the majority of the mites and makes it easier to kill the remainder with medicated ear drops.
Keep Smells Away
Pet grooming in Alexandria helps to avoid most smells because it prevents infections of the ear that are often very odoriferous. Even non-infected ears will have a smelly scent if they are unclean. A good grooming will make the pet much more enjoyable to snuggle.
Dogs typically have more ear trouble than cats, but there are always exceptions. Canines with ears that fold over, like labs or golden retrievers, are more prone to issues like bacterial or yeast infections. This is because their ear shape keeps moisture in the ear and provides the perfect breeding grounds for nasty infections. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
