2 easy steps to groom your Jack Russell dog’s ears
You should make grooming your dog’s ears a part of your Jack Russell’s grooming routine to ensure that your terrier’s ears are always clean so they don’t cause any problems for your dog. Just like humans, your dog’s ear may have a tendency to grow hair and produce wax. This is nature’s way of protecting the inner ear, as hair and wax trap dirt and lock in moisture. The flip side of this is that dirt and moisture can also breed bacteria that can cause infections.
Since your Jack Russell’s ears are one of the most important components of his senses and can also get dirty very easily (as he chases prey and burrows into the ground), I recommend checking him every other day. I also recommend that you check them every time you give your dog a bath.
Here are 2 simple steps I use to groom my Jack Russell’s ears to make sure my Jack Russell terrier’s ears are always healthy and free of infection.
1. Examine the ears
Make sure the outer ears look good and have no rips, scratches, or other patches, etc. Then check that there is not a large amount of wax. A little wax should be normal. If there is a large amount of earwax and if that earwax smells bad or looks reddish-brown in color, I suggest taking your terrier to the vet; otherwise, gently wipe away the dirt with a cotton ball.
2. Check for hair in the ears.
Ear hair works like a filter. However, because the filter works to keep dirt out of the ear, it also traps dirt. Bacteria normally hang out with dirt and, along with moisture, can easily multiply and cause your dog’s ear to become infected. Clean it carefully with a cotton swab if it is dirty. If there is excess hair on the ears, you may want to trim some of it. To trim ear hair, pull the ear back over the dog’s head, laying it flat against the skull. This will ensure that the delicate parts of the ear canal are not exposed. However, be careful. You can also ask the vet to help you trim the hairs.
Once you have done the above, use a damp cloth to clean the areas around the ears and the ears themselves. The benefits of regular ear brushing is that you’ll always be aware of the health of your terrier’s ears, and should an unforeseen infection occur, your Jack Russell will be more comfortable having them examined by a grooming professional or veterinarian.
