When an owner comes to the salon with his or her pet, the receptionist politely explains that ear cleaning is included in the care package. And we very often hear the phrase: “Why, they are clean!”. It sounds almost with pride – say, I look after the dog, everything is good. But is everything really good? And what do we really see when we just look into the animal’s ear? Looks clean doesn’t mean it’s clean on the inside, and it especially doesn’t mean there aren’t problems there that develop slowly and unnoticed. This is where the difference between home and professional care begins. Let’s break it down: do you really need to clean your dog’s or cat’s ears if at first glance they are perfect.
Visual cleanliness is just the tip of the iceberg
Even if the ears look tidy on the outside, it says nothing about what’s going on deeper in the ear canal. In many breeds of dogs and cats (especially those with drooping or tight-fitting ears), air circulation is poor, moisture is trapped, and earwax builds up deep inside. Sometimes the owner doesn’t even realize that a yeast fungus or bacterial inflammation is already developing inside – no obvious odor, no redness, just a “clean ear” that no one checks regularly. The absence of dirt in the entrance is not an indicator of health. It’s just a superficial illusion of cleanliness.
Professional ear cleaning for the sake of prevention
When our groomers clean the ears during grooming, they also check the condition of the skin inside the ear, looking closely to see if there are any initial signs of inflammation, fungus or ear mites. If the groomer sees fluid, unusual wax color, dry crusts, or micro-redness, it’s a signal the owner might have missed. And it’s because of this routine, seemingly insignificant step that many animals get help early, before the situation becomes chronic or painful.
Animals won’t tell you they itch, bake, or squeeze. They only scratch, sometimes rub their heads on furniture, or just become more nervous. But as long as there is no obvious odor or darkening, most owners don’t pay attention. Meanwhile, an inflammatory process may already be preparing in the ear. This is especially true for Tails who bathe or walk in the rain – moisture and heat create ideal conditions for the multiplication of bacteria. Even if the ears look clean, they can be full of unseen threats.
Our responsibility is not to “wipe them clean” but to keep them safe
Grooming is not just about the result – a nice haircut or a shiny coat. More important is the health and comfort of the animal. That’s why we never skip ears, even if they seem perfect. Because we don’t work “for a tick”. Our groomers understand anatomy, know where problems may be lurking, and always proceed with care, without pain, without harm, with concern. And the best thing an owner can do is to entrust this procedure to someone who really understands it.
Conclusion
Ear cleaning is an essential part of ear care. Even if the ears look clean, deeper down there may be wax residue, microorganisms, moisture or other factors that lead to disease over time. At V.O.G DOG SALON Network, we always include ear cleaning as part of the package because we truly care. And if we say the ears need to be cleaned, it’s for the health of your own Pet.
