Looking after your dog's eyes and ears

Ears play an important role in balance. Movement of fluid within the semi-circular canals of the inner ear allows the brain to detect which way, and how much, the head is turning.

Tips for looking after your dogs ears

• Try to avoid walking your dog through long grass when seeds are present during the summer and autumn months. They can easily drop into your dog’s ears and eyes, as well as becoming stuck in nostrils and paws, and may require veterinary intervention to remove them.
• Always err on the side of caution! If you think something isn’t quite right — even if you can’t quite put your finger on it — consult your vet. If you aren’t sure whether your dog needs a same-day appointment, or can wait a day or two, ring the practice and describe the problem so they can advise you.

Signs of healthy dog ears

• Clean
• Pale pink inside
• Alert to sounds

Signs of poorly dog ears

• Smelly
• Poor hearing
• Inflamed, red areas
• Discharge
• Persistent scratching
• Head tilting or head shaking
• Yelping if ears are touched

Facts about dog ears

• The little flap of extra skin on the outer edge of the ear that forms a pouch is called ‘Henry’s pocket’. Theories as to its purpose include aiding in the detection of sounds; reinforcement of the ear at that point; and making it easier for the ear to be folded or flattened.
• Curved, upright ears are better at detecting sounds than floppy ones, able to hear a noise at 80 metres that you can only hear at 20 metres. Dogs can also differentiate between similar noises and tell whether the footsteps outside the door, or the car pulling up outside the house, belong to you or someone else.
• Floppy eared dogs (especially those who like to swim) are more prone to ear infections, particularly if the ears are also hairy, as it creates a nice warm, moist environment in which bacteria thrive.
• Floppy eared dogs may not have such acute hearing as those with curved, upright ears.

Looking after your dog's eyes

Check your dog’s eyes for any sleep deposits, which can cause soreness.

Signs of healthy dog eyes

• Bright
• Clear
• Both eyelids fully open
• Mucous membranes lining the eye salmon-pink in colour
• Both pupils the same size. 

Signs of poorly dog eyes

• Cloudiness
• Half-closed, blinking rapidly, or squinting
• Mucous membranes red and inflamed
• Whites of eyes yellow-tinged or bloodshot
• Bulging or sunken
• Running tears, watery, or pus-like discharges
• Pupils dilated in bright light
• Pawing or rubbing at the eyes

Fun facts about dogs eyes

• Long noses can obscure what can be seen just in front of the nose, which explains why a dog will sometimes fail to notice a toy he is looking for that is right in front of him.
• Variation in skull shape between breeds changes eye placement and consequently the field of vision. Dogs with narrower, more tapering heads, and long noses (such as Greyhounds) have eyes set more to the side, and a wide field of peripheral vision — up to 270 degrees. Dogs with rounder skulls and short noses (such as Pugs) have eyes positioned more to the front, so have peripheral vision of only around 200 degrees. More forward-facing eyes have better binocular vision however, which helps in gauging distances more accurately.

Did you know?

• Eyelids and lashes reduce glare from sunshine and protect the eye from foreign bodies.
• A continual film of tears keeps the eye moist, fights infection, and ensures clear vision.
• Excess tears collect in the corner of each eye and drain through the nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity.
• Tear staining in the corners of the eyes may be due to blocked tear ducts.

How to look after your dog’s eyes

• Remove small, dry, crusty deposits of sleep otherwise they can lead to skin infections.
• Use a separate moistened piece of cotton wool for each eye, so they are easy to wipe away without causing discomfort.
• Trim away or put up in a topknot any hair that hangs into the eyes and could irritate them.