Man's Best Friend is His Dog

The ears are a consistent problem for most Spaniels, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is no exception. Ticks and fleas love the warm, moist protection that the ear provides. The insides of the ears should be inspected and cleaned regularly to avoid any infections or other complications that can lead to a loss of hearing. If your dog knocks his ears when he gets over-excited this can cause problems.

Head shaking and continuous ear scratching can indicate ear issues in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. At the same time it is also possible for dogs to shake and scratch as a part of their usual behavior. Your connection with your dog should allow you to determine if any activities concerning the ears are typical or abnormal behavior and you can act accordingly. If you notice any unusual behaviors concerning the ears check for wax buildup or mites. You should already be well acquainted with the inside of your dog's ears due to regular grooming and should be able to easily spot abnormalities. If you notice any unusual spots or excess fluids, consult your veterinarian. During the summer, grass can also find its way into your dog's fragile ears. As soon as you notice, remedy this uncomfortable problem for your Cavalier either on your own, or with the assistance of a veterinarian.

The small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has long fringed ears, giving it a sweet and innocent appearance. However adorable, these floppy ears can block air ventilation leading to infection. It is mandatory that you keep the ears clean and check them regularly for any problem signs. Infections can be persistent and long-eared dogs and my wind up costing a great deal of money to care for in the end. If the infections become recurring they can eventually make the dog go deaf. Similarly, mites and fleas can also be a nuisance to get rid of in ears, especially once they attach to the long hair on the ears. The mites can be found on the hair inside of the ears and should be routinely inspected for.

A less severe disaster occurs when your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dips his long ears in the food dish! You can either attempt to prevent this or simply be prepared for clean up in every room that he roams to before you manage to clean the ears. It is a sad sight to see the velvety groomed ears so quickly soiled and grimy.

All dogs require some degree of care. But with some dogs it is rare to even think of the ears. But on the contrary, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require a great deal of loving care just for this small part of their body. For these little dogs, self-care of the ears is not an option and so it is up to the owner to be responsible and up for the attentiveness required of a Cavalier. Fortunately, the ear checks can become a habitual part of the regular grooming and brushing schedule. With careful inspections and frequent care, you may not need to wait for telltale signs of a problem. In fact, you may never find a problem at all.