Ear Care for Bichon Frise – The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Hearing

The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, happy, small, and sturdy dog, with inquisitive dark eyes and a fluffy tail. They look like small balls of cotton and are usually white but they may have some shading around the body or the ears. They are considered to be the best companion dog as they are gentle, playful dogs who love activity whether indoors or outdoors and this makes regular exercise a must for them.

The Bichon Friseis considered to be a very healthy breed as they are not affected by life threatening diseases. They have a long and healthy life and usually die of old age or cancer. Professional grooming once a month is recommended, while bathing and ear cleaning can be done by the owner themselves.

The Bichon Frise is more susceptible to ear infections as a large amount of fur grows under and inside their ears. This holds moisture inside which becomes a breeding ground for infection. If you see any discoloration in the ear or smell an offensive odor, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately before the infection spreads to the inner ear. The vet will take a sample of the wax from the ear to identify the cause of infection and treat it accordingly.

Cleaning the ears is a vital part of grooming a Bichon Frise. Hair should be removed from the ear canal before bathing. If this is neglected, long hair can accumulate and block the ear canal which causes serious ear problems. It is advisable to visit a professional or a vet to remove the hair the first time. After hair is removed, clean the ear canal with a cotton ball which has been dipped in an ear cleaning solution, and apply bacterium inhibiting powder. Use a fine tooth comb to groom the hair around the ears and keep it knot and tangle free, combing from the underside to the outer ends. Check the ears daily for wax, mites or any bacterial infection.

Clean the ears monthly with a cotton ball dipped ear cleaning solution or more often if your pet has been playing in the dirt or grass. Gently rub and remove dirt and wax. Remove the hair from inside the ear as air flow is a must for ears to remain healthy. Blocking of the ear canal causes ear infection, as it traps moisture and dirt. Pull out the hair gently or with blunt tweezers. Start the hair removing process when your pet is a puppy so they get used to it as adults and are more comfortable during the process.

If you notice wax buildup, odor, scratching of the ear or excessive shaking of the head, consult a veterinarian as this may be a sign of ear infection. Most ear infections can be treated with antibiotics after identifying the strain of the bacteria.