Is Ear Hair Plucking Dogs Safe? What Research Reveals

One of the most misinterpreted issues in dog care is ear grooming, especially when it comes to ear hair plucking dogs, a practice that many pet parents once believed was essential for keeping ears clean and infection-free. For decades, groomers assumed that removing ear hair improved ventilation and reduced moisture buildup inside the ear canal. However, new studies and veterinary research reveal a more complex truth, and in some cases, even the opposite of what people have believed for years.

To learn why ear hair plucking is not good or bad, it is essential to investigate the nature of dog ear functionality, reasons to have hair in the ear, and scientific research regarding the dangers of the act.

Why Do Dogs Have Hair Inside Their Ears?

Ear hair has a number of uses in nature. It covers the vulnerable ear canal against:

• Dust
• Debris
• Insects
• Moisture
• Allergens

In other breeds like Poodles, Shih Tzus, Schnauzers, and other dogs with curly hair, hair is not only on the outer side of the ear but also way down into the ear canal. Although this hair does offer defence, it is also able to trap moisture and wax, and this results in an environment in which bacteria and yeast can survive.

It is here, where confusion sets in: shall we retain the hair as a safeguard to the ear, or should we shave it off, to impose a less risky kind of infection?

What Research Says About Ear Hair Plucking

Research conducted in veterinary schools in recent decades revealed that ear hair plucking can indeed do more harm than good, particularly in dogs that do not already have ear problems.

1. Plucking Causes Micro-Trauma

Removing hair from the ear canal will irritate the skin and cause tiny, invisible injuries. It has been found that micro-trauma may cause:

• Inflammation
• Redness
• Increased wax production
• Pain and discomfort

Such modifications may harbor bacteria and yeast and cause infections, which is the last thing that pet parents would want.

2. Plucking Can Trigger Ear Infections

Infection occurrence is ideal when the delicate inner ear canal skin is inflamed. Studies suggest:

• Dogs with their ear hair plucked regularly might be susceptible to chronic otitis (ear infections).

• The multiplication of bacteria and yeast is faster on irritated skin.

This implies that plucking can be either a cause of infection or not in certain dogs.

3. Vets Prefer Trimming, Not Plucking

Vets all over the world have changed to a less brutal approach, trimming the ear hair rather than ripping it off. Trimming:

• Makes the body leaner without hurting it.
• Prevents trauma to the skin
• Maintains airflow
• Still also permits hair to cover the ear canal.

Trimming has become the standard procedure in most routine grooming cases unless a veterinarian instructs otherwise.

4. When Plucking Might Still Be Necessary

Although most dogs should not be plucked, there are exceptions. Vets can suggest plucking in case of:

• One of the dogs is already infected and has treatment blocked by hair.
• Growing thick hair entraps moisture.
• The drug is not able to access the ear canal because the hair is blocked.

In such situations, too, plucking must be done under the care of a trained groomer or vet before it can be damaged.

How to Know What’s Right for Your Dog

Every dog is different. Consider before deciding on whether to pluck, trim the ear hair, or leave it untouched:

Your dog’s breed

• Ear shape
• History of infections
• Allergies

• Grooming frequency
• Vet recommendations

The ear of a dog will be first examined by a professional groomer, and then the safest mode of grooming will be determined.

Final Thoughts

This is because ear hair plucking is a long-established grooming activity, though current studies indicate a possibility of irritation and risk of infection when plucking it unnecessarily. Most dogs should be washed regularly and trimmed softly, not forcefully plucked. Nevertheless, it is advisable to make a case by the needs of a particular dog and the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Petsfolio offers safe, professional, and science-based pet care that keeps your dog healthy and comfortable, to offers expert dog grooming services to suit the needs of your specific breed.