French Bulldog Ears - 5 silly steps to take care of them

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French Bulldog Ears Care – Why?

Did you know dogs can hear frequencies up to 60,000 hertz? In comparison, a human with excellent hearing can only hear up to 20,000 hertz! And while a dog’s hearing is exceptional, it is not the only purpose of the ears. Your dog’s ears have 18 different muscles in them, which makes them one of the most expressive parts of the body.

It is therefore really important to care for your French Bulldog’s ears. Are you providing your French Bulldog with the right ear care? Find out more about French Bulldog ear types and issues, learn how to cure them properly at home by yourself, and how to cleanse them so they stay forever healthy!

So, why should you protect your French Bulldog’s ears?

Common issues that can cause deafness are easily avoidable with a cleaning routine!
French Bulldog dog ears are prone to infection. If you don’t pay attention to them, they will most certainly cause trouble.
French Bulldog dog ears are more sensitive than average dog ears

Keep your French Bulldog free of any type of infection or aggravated issue using our easy-to-follow tips and cleaning routine. Let’s get started!

French Bulldog’s Ears Types.

There are two types of French Bulldog ears:

Rose French Bulldog Dog Ears (Not Accepted at shows): This is the original type of ear that a French Bulldog had. This type of ear is when the ear folds over forwards. The fold is not tight, instead, it overlaps over the face without touching it. That leaves the ear canal lightly uncovered, which shows part of the inner ear cartilage, called the rose.
Bat French Bulldog Dog Ears (Accepted at shows): This is the standard ear type for French Bulldogs, where the ears stand up like bats, exposing the ear canal. These are more distinctive than Rose French Bulldog ears.

French Bulldog’s ears vary in shape greatly while they’re growing. One day they have rose ears but later turn into bat ears. Unless you intend to show or breed your French Bulldog, you shouldn’t worry about what type of ears your French Bulldog has, as even if they are different, it will give him personality!

“Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with
round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the
front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification”
AKC – American Kennel Club

French Bulldog Ears Problems (HOW to avoid or treat them)

These are some of the issues French Bulldog dog ears may present:

Otitis Externa: Otitis means inflammation of the ear, and externa means the outermost part of the ear canal. So, this condition essentially just means inflamed ears, which can happen for several reasons. Firstly, skin allergies, otherwise known as Atopic Dermatitis, can cause an inflamed lining of the ear canal, as it is linked to the skin. This may lead to a poor barrier to infectious organisms such as bacteria or yeast, and secondary infection can form, although the inflammation can also be completely sterile. Another cause of Otitis Externa is a primary ear infection. Again, this is usually bacteria or yeast, but ear mites can also cause Otitis Externa. French Bulldogs are more susceptible to ear infections when they have rose ears in comparison to bat ears, as the environment remains warm and moist from a lack of airflow.
Chronic Ear Infections: Bacterial ear infections have the potential to become chronic. These are types of ear infections that last for months or even years. The reason for this is antibiotic resistance. The bacteria responsible for ear infections are becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotics, and therefore they do not respond to many medicated drops. Resistance is building due to non-compliance by owners; either stopping the course of the drops before the infection is completely healed, or because the dog is difficult to handle due to sore ears, and getting the full dose in is impossible.

Note: All of them are recognizable by a bad smell coming out of their ears, swelling, irritation, or if you see your French Bulldog rubbing or scratching their ears with their paws or against surfaces.

How to avoid these French Bulldog Ears Problems?

Both issues, since chronic infection is caused by otitis, can be avoided by proper ear hygiene, anti-allergy medications for dogs when appropriate, and an adequate diet. Since the pinna part of French Bulldog ears is floppy, they retain a lot of moisture, which is the main enemy of the dog’s ears in general. If you make sure your French Bulldog’s inner ear is dry by using drying ear cleansers, you can rule out this as a cause.

✅ Do you know if your French Bulldog’s nose needs some grooming? Learn more! ✅

How Often Should I Clean My French Bulldog’s Ears?

If your French Bulldog’s ears are healthy, you must not clean them every day. Once every two to four weeks is fine. It is ok to wipe the underside of the pinna of your French Bulldog’s ears with ear wipes once every few days though, as this will keep it fresh and clean. The exception to this is if his ears have become wet from swimming or bathing. In these instances, the use of an ear cleanser, which helps dry out the environment of his ear canal, is warranted. If he’s got an infection, your vet will prescribe an appropriate ear cleaner and medicated drops. These may require daily administration.

“Over-cleaning your dog’s ears can lead to infection and irritation…”
AKC – American Kennel Club

How To Clean French Bulldogs’ Ears: Practical (And Easy) STEPS!

Cleaning your French Bulldog’s ears can be a difficult task since most of them hate their ears being messed with. But following our steps will make it much easier!

Get what you need: Get your ear cleaning solution for French Bulldogs some cotton balls, and ear wipes for French Bulldogs. You can also use soft tissues if you don’t have access to wipes.
Place your friend in a safe place! You want to avoid your French Bulldog escaping. A table works great for some (it must be tall enough for his ears to be accessible), but if your French Bulldog is cooperative, you can clean his ears on your lap or on the floor.
Apply the cleaning solution: Every ear cleaner is different, so you should read the instructions before use. Place the nozzle of the solution in the opening of your French Bulldog’s ear and give it a squeeze. Flap over the pinna to cover the hole and massage the ear for 10-15 seconds. This helps the solution to work its way down the whole ear canal. Next, stand back and let your French Bulldog shake his head to remove as much as possible. Gently wipe away all the wax is has brought out with some clean cotton balls or ear wipes.
Dry those ears! Make sure the area stays as dry as possible by patting away excess moisture with cotton balls.
Reward your friend! Give your French Bulldog some love so he learns to associate ear cleaning with a positive experience. You can use treats for French Bulldogs or just some cuddling. He’ll probably never love the experience though!

Pro tips: As we commonly recommend, you need to make this activity as regular as you can for her/him to get used to it. This will make it easier, especially if you start doing it in puppy months.

✅ Did you discover when your French Bulldog’s Paws need some healing? Learn more! ✅

Useful Products To Clean My French Bulldog’s Ears

Not every ear cleanser or ear wipeout in the market is good quality or effective. Check Out our Detailed Reviews for French Bulldogs comparing the Best Useful Products in the Market for cleaning your French Bulldog’s ears!

Best Ear Wipes for French Bulldogs: They must be hypoallergenic, natural, and made with soft material. Not every ear wipe complies with these conditions.
Best Ear Cleaners for French Bulldogs: They must have natural ingredients. These products are not used on a daily basis.

Note for our members: We make plenty of reviews from different brands in the Dog Supplies Market. We DO NOT get free products from product companies and have NO relationship whatsoever with them.

Frequently Asked Questions – French Bulldog Ears Infections

Do all French Bulldogs suffer from ear issues?

Of course not! They are just susceptible to these issues if you don’t take care of them. In fact, many of them develop these conditions due to improper care.

How much earwax is normal for a healthy French Bulldog ear?

Ear wax, also known as cerumen, can be normal, so seeing a small amount is nothing to worry about. If it is not uncomfortable for your French Bulldog and does not smell, it is likely to be ok. If you are concerned, ask your vet to check his ears.

What to do if my French Bulldog doesn’t stop shaking his head after a bath/swim?

He may have water or something stuck inside the ears. If you think that’s the case, don’t try to remove it at home since you might cause a bigger problem… this is a job for your VET to treat.

I’ve got a specific question about my French Bulldog ears that is not covered in the article. How can you help me?

Ask a Licensed VET for more information 24/7 via a video call by clicking here.

Conclusion

Getting your French Bulldog to enjoy the cleansing of his ears can be hard work, but it will be rewarding. After the first few weeks of following our advice, it should become easier and your French Bulldog more cooperative. The required products are easy to source; however, you must always pick quality. We suggest that you purchase products that are tested and reviewed without any bias, and you should be able to clean your French Bulldog’s ears easily and safely. These sorts of products, combined with your French Bulldog’s favorite treats, will make ear cleaning a breeze!

Now, are you ready to start using our practical and easy steps? Please share your thoughts…