The golden benefits of routine ear cleaning
As a doting dog parent, you play a crucial role in your dog’s health and well-being. You know that a wagging tail and a happy bark signal joy and happiness. Our doggos are more than just pets – they’re family. Regular ear cleaning, ideally one to three times a week, and after bathing, grooming, or exposure to water, is a responsibility that you can take up to ensure your dog’s skincare routine is on point. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of routine ear cleaning and the magic of using topical Manuka honey to help prevent ear infections, moisturize the tender skin of the ear, and enhance overall ear health.
Why routine ear cleaning in dogs is essential
Dogs’ ears are uniquely shaped in an elongated “L” shape, making them prone to infections and wax build-up. If not cleaned regularly, these conditions can lead to discomfort, pain, and even hearing loss for your furry friend.
Regular ear cleaning helps to:
- Prevent ear infections: Routine ear cleaning removes microbes, bacterial toxins, cellular debris, and free fatty acids, reducing inflammation in the ear canal. Regular cleaning can prevent the conditions that lead to painful ear infections.
- Reduce ear wax build-up: Excessive wax can trap dirt and bacteria, leading to discomfort and infection.
- Preserve hearing: Regular cleaning keeps the ear canal clear, ensuring your dog’s hearing isn’t impaired due to excess accumulated debris or wax.
- Identify ear issues early: Routine checks can help spot ear problems, such as dirt and debris or infections, before they become serious.
Mānuka honey: a natural healer
Mānuka honey, sourced from the nectar of the Mānuka tree in New Zealand, is naturally different from 'regular honey'. It's packed with unique healing ingredients and properties, making it an excellent addition to your dog’s ear care routine.
Antibacterial powerhouse
Mānuka honey is not your average honey. It's a powerhouse of natural healing attributes, making it a unique and valuable addition to your dog's ear care routine. Its potent antibacterial properties make it highly effective in preventing and treating ear infections.
Mānuka honey contains exceptionally high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), up to one hundred times that of other kinds of honey. MGO is a unique antibacterial compound that forms when Mānuka nectar ripens into honey. This concentration of MGO is not found in other types of honey, making Mānuka honey the perfect choice for maintaining your dog's ear and skin health.
Using our Mānuka Ear Wipes routinely can help eliminate harmful bacteria and prevent infections from taking hold. To use them, gently wipe the inside of your dog's ear, being careful not to insert the wipe too deeply. This simple step can be a part of your dog's regular grooming routine. Using a natural solution containing Mānuka honey can also avoid bacterial resistance associated with overusing many antibiotics.
Ear moisturizer
Dogs’ ears can become dry and itchy, especially during seasonal changes. This dryness is most commonly due to transepidermal water loss, which is water loss from within the skin into the environment. Mānuka honey, with its unique moisturizing properties, restores hydration and water to dry, damaged skin.
Mānuka honey is a well-researched humectant, which means it can attract and retain moisture. It contains unique hygroscopic agents that help move water from the environment into the skin to enhance the protective skin barrier. This process is crucial for the sensitive skin inside your dog’s ear canal. By drawing moisture from the environment back into the skin, Mānuka honey helps keep the ear canal hydrated and healthy.
Many dog ear-cleaning solutions can be drying and often don’t contain moisturizing agents. Others can be irritating or difficult to administer, making cleaning a struggle and often making a mess. When choosing Mānuka honey ear wipes for your dog, look for a product that is specifically formulated for dogs, free from harsh chemicals, and contains a high concentration of Mānuka honey. These features ensure that the product is safe and effective for your dog's ear care routine.
Dry ears are vulnerable ears, and topical Mānuka honey helps restore epidermal water, hydrate and heal the skin, and reduce the risk of infection.
Promotes ear health
Mānuka honey's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and swelling, promoting overall skin health. Mānuka honey can particularly benefit dogs with ear allergies or sensitive skin.
Numerous clinical studies have also shown that Mānuka honey has both direct and indirect anti-inflammatory actions. It has been proven to inhibit the inflammatory cascade by blocking prostaglandin synthesis, which is the process by which the body produces prostaglandins, chemicals that cause ‘heat’, redness, swelling, itchiness, and pain associated with inflammation.
Mānuka honey also stimulates the immune system by increasing B and T-lymphocytes, which are types of white blood cells that play a key role in the immune response, and activating neutrophils, which are types of white blood cells that help fight off infections. These are essential components of the skin’s defense system.
Regular ear cleaning is more than just a hygiene routine – it’s vital to your dog’s health and well-being. By incorporating Mānuka honey into your dog’s ear and skincare routine, you’re leveraging its natural antibacterial, moisturizing, and skin health benefits, making ear cleaning more effective. However, it’s important to note that individual results may vary and Mānuka Ear Wipes may not be effective for all dogs. So, next time you snuggle with your pooch, you can enjoy the moment, knowing you’re taking great care of their health.
A healthy dog is a joyful, happy dog. Embrace the magic of Mānuka honey and give your dog the gift of clean, great-smelling, healthy ears. We’d love to hear how our Mānuka Ear Wipes have helped your furry family member!
It’s important to remember that this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian if you have specific concerns about your dog’s ear health or if you notice any adverse reactions after using Mānuka Ear Wipes.
