As with other canine behaviours, there are many reasons why dogs clean other dogs’ ears. Some motivations are because they are bored, because ear wax is tasty and smells yummy to them, as a greeting, to help them because a pooch can’t lick her own ears, it’s an instinct, as a bonding activity, out of curiosity, it’s a submissive behaviour, being affectionate, they sense an ear infection, feeling anxious, as a compulsion or because she’s suffering from dementia.
An Antidote to Boredom
Your doggo thinks licking another pup’s ears is a good way to end the state of insufferable dullness. If your fur baby is licking his fur sibling’s ears, you might buy some interesting toys to distract him from lapping up ear wax while you’re at work. When you’re home, take them to a park, play outside or inside, go to the dog park or find something else stimulating for them to do.
The Irresistible Allure of Ear Wax
Don’t let it affect your opinion of your pup, but she thinks ear wax smells and tastes like a treat. You know they like disgusting things. Ear wax’s purpose is to collect dirt, dead cells, debris, pollen, microbes and other undesirable filth and transport it away from the ear canal. Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs and Bassets tend to accumulate ear wax more than other breeds do.
Allergies are the biggest ear wax producers. You can purchase wipes and sprays to clean your doggy’s ears. Also, treating allergies will mean less wax production. Find out if your pup is having an allergic reaction to his food, a seasonal allergy, dust mites in your house or something else. Your vet can administer an allergy test, or you may be able to deduct what’s causing the allergy if you notice your dog sneezing or her eyes watering after meals, being inside or outside.
Ear Licking As A Greeting
Ear licking is yet another strange way canines greet one another. An alternative to butt sniffing and mouth sniffing. They engage in dramatic salutations.
Mutual Grooming
Poochies who live together will help one another clean hard-to-reach spots like each others’ ears, heads and backs. Mutual grooming serves as a bonding experience, too.
It’s An Instinct
As soon as your pup came out of his mom’s womb, licking became the way his mom cared for and communicated with him. Puppies lick their mother’s ear to tell them they are hungry. Dogs’ lives are all about sniffing and licking.
Bonding Activity
Do you know how humans like to go out for a meal and chat? Doggos bond while licking each others’ ears. It’s a pack activity. Helpful, soothing and a nice way to spend time together.
Curiosity
Dogs are like detectives with innate curiosity and a fantastic sense of smell that helps them investigate things. They can’t resist exploring ears, dog bums, scents and sounds.
Submissive Behavior
Your canine is telling the dog whose ears he’s licking that he is not a threat and will not pose a danger. Whether you added a new pup to the family or you’re at the dog park, submissive behaviour keeps everyone calm.
Gesture of Affection
In the doggy world, cleaning out a pooch’s ear is like saying, “I love you.”
Sensing An Ear Infection
Doggos sense infections, cancer and a host of other illnesses. Check the ear of the pooch getting the ear bath to see if his ear is red, swollen, smelly, irritated, warm or looks different from his other ear if the ear cleaning is relentless and continuous.
Always pay attention when your pooch is overly concerned about anything. They know when something’s wrong. Also, if she’s being obsessive-compulsive, you need to help her stop the repetitive behaviour.
To Soothe Their Anxiety
Studies determine that licking produces endorphins and helps dogs feel peaceful. A small amount of licking to feel calm is okay, but when it becomes a compulsion, the human needs to stop the behaviour.
It’s A Compulsion
Repetitive behaviour is a sign of a compulsion disorder. Your pup may be dealing with separation anxiety or some sort of emotional duress like landscapers making noise outside, moving, a new pet and so on. Try giving him a toy stuffed with food, an interactive toy, lots of exercise and playtime. If he’s still stressed and compulsively ear cleaning, you could talk to your vet, who might prescribe medicine or give him essential oils or CBD oil to help him feel tranquil.
Dementia
Dogs can develop dementia as we do. Your pooch may be experiencing dementia if she’s confused, having accidents in the house, anxious, not responding to you or not wanting to play. It’s caused by low dopamine (a neurotransmitter) or a buildup of plaque in the brain (like Alzheimer’s). Your vet can administer X-rays, an MRI or a CT scan. If she finds your dog has canine cognitive dysfunction, she may prescribe Anipryl to relieve some symptoms.
Should You Stop Your Pup From Cleaning Another Dog’s Ears
Dogs clean each other’s ears as a form of social bonding and communication. It is a natural behaviour that demonstrates affection and strengthens the pack mentality. This grooming behaviour can also serve a practical purpose, helping to remove any dirt, debris, or parasites from their companion’s ears.
By cleaning each other’s ears, dogs are able to maintain good hygiene and keep their pack healthy. Additionally, this behaviour also helps to reduce stress and increase feelings of security within the pack. Overall, ear cleaning is an important aspect of canine communication and social behaviour and shouldn’t be prevented unless overly excessive.
How To Cure Your Pup of Excessive Ear Cleaning
Determine what’s upsetting your dog. Is he just nervous in general? Is something new in his life, like another pet or loud construction sounds down the street stressing him out? Busy canines are usually happy and well-adjusted. Be sure to walk him, play with him, take him places where he sees other dogs and humans, and leave stimulating toys out when you can’t be home.
If your pup isn’t comforted by attention, exciting activities and interactive toys, you might ask your vet what to do. As with people, sometimes only medication can balance out brain chemicals and relieve a nervous dog. Many people have reported that CBD oil and essential oils help their pooches. In fact, the number of CBD dog products on the market grew by 946% in 2019.
Conclusion
Dogs clean each others’ ears for many instinctual reasons: to bond, say hello, the delicious scent and palate-pleasing flavour of earwax, display submission, show affection, simple curiosity and help another dog to clean an unreachable body part.
If your dog can’t stop licking another pup’s ears, you need to intervene so the other canine’s ears aren’t licked raw, and infection doesn’t develop. Licking ears constantly could also be a dementia habit, which can be addressed with your vet’s assistance.
