As an apprentice groomer in the 1980s, I was taught to pluck every last strand out of the ears of any pet that had hair sprouting from that orifice. Back then, groomers went through ear powder like crazy, and many of us sported calluses on our thumbs from the hemostats we used to pluck all that ear hair. Fast forward 40 years, and times have, thankfully, changed.
The old theory was that hair growth in the ear canal blocked airflow and trapped wax and moisture deep in the ear. Newer findings suggest that plucking hair can cause more problems than they solve, “For those who are against the practice, they say plucking hair from a dog’s ear can do more harm than good. The procedure can cause microscopic tears in the tissues of the ear canal, which can pave the way for bacteria to invade and cause infection.” See https://firstvet.com/us/articles/is-it-ok-to-pluck-the-hair-from-my-dogs-ears
The International Society of Canine Cosmetologists says, “Ear plucking may cause pathology. We only recommend plucking if the hair growth is excessive or there is an excessive buildup of ear wax. Normal ears with no clinical signs of infection should be left alone.”
Barbara Bird, CMG, writes, “Contrary to what you may have been taught, requested, or commanded in the past, the current advice from veterinary dermatologists is that plucking ear hair can do more harm than good. Rather than prevent ear infections, this procedure can actually create a greater likelihood of infection by damaging the tender inner ear tissue and allowing a foothold for bacteria to thrive.
In her presentation to Tucson groomers, “Ears: What Every Groomer Needs to Know,” Dr. Heide Newton, DVM, DACVD plainly stated that groomers should stop plucking ear hair from inside dogs’ ears. “Healthy ears are self-cleaning,” stated Dr. Newton. She encouraged groomers to continue the practice of ear cleaning, however, using products formulated for ear care, and massaging the base of the ear to allow the product to loosen wax and debris from deep in the ear canal.” See https://petgroomermagazine.com/articles/techniques/no-ear-plucking/
In my studio, I rarely pluck anymore. However, if a dog has an excess of hair in its ear, I may remove a small amount if it pulls out easily without causing any discomfort. Gone are the days of removing every single filament. Carefully trimming excess ear hair is always an option, as is clipping hair away from the base of the ear canal to increase airflow.
Perhaps the safest thing to do is to poll your local veterinarians to get an idea of where they stand on the topic. Next, do some research and come up with a plan that resonates with the way you work.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
