I have a Pom that does not need ear taping. However, I want to join in the debate about why I should ear tape my dog. Is dog ear taping cruel?
In this article, I will take you through the different answers I have to this question. The first thing I will deal with is why dogs have ears.
The domestic canine (Canisfamiliaris) is the most diverse species of mammalian animal. Such diversity affects most of their physical anatomy, resulting in dogs that vary greatly in appearance.
Some have large and pointed ears, while others have small and rounded ones. While all dogs are born with ears flat to their head, some dog breeds have ears that stand erect as they develop. Since ears are an important appendage for canines, their manipulation can be controversial.
Many guardians prefer the look of a dog with floppy ears. If their dog has erect ears, they may ask is taping dog ears down a bad idea? I have to explain why my answer is most likely no.
Functions of a dog’s ears
Although dogs use vocalizations for intraspecies communication, they effectively communicate with others through body language. This complex system of signs and signals uses almost every part of the dog’s body including facial gestures, tail movement, and important to the topic in discussion, ear positions.
Due to their ear movement, dogs have a highly developed hearing ability. When they turn their ear pinnae (the outer ear) in the right direction, they can receive sound vibrations into their ear canal.
The ear protects the inner ear by deterring foreign bodies from entering. This can also be done with regular cleaning of the dog’s ears.
The ear is the natural mobility of the dog, to deprive it of this important tool can cause significant problems. These include poor communication with both humans and other dogs.
Ear cropping and tail docking is a common practice among certain dog breeds. This procedure has proved to have little or no benefit to the welfare of the dog, the practice has been banned.
Dogs with cropped ears are perceived as dangerous or unpleasant regardless of their true nature. I have seen many pet owners crop their dogs’ ears because they want to improve their appearances.
You should not expect to see your puppies with cropped ears if you have taped their mother’s ears. The practice is not hereditary and does not have a place in my good book of pampering my dog.
What do you think? Well, we have different views when it comes to this practice. Apart from the dog’s breed that determines if their ears will be erect or floppy, health issues like otohematoma cause a dog to have floppy ears. Also, it will take some time for a puppy’s ears to become erect.
Taping down a dog’s ears is not an advisable practice. I know some guardians prefer their dog’s ears to lay down, even if it’s erect naturally so they seek out how to make it floppy. Some also desire their dogs to have erect ears.
Why taping a dog’s ears is performed
Some people say shorter or floppy ears help to protect a dog from injuries if it gets into a fight.
They also tap down the erect ears of their dogs because it reduces injuries when they are hunting or if they come across a wild predator. They further claim that it reduces injuries when traveling through thickets or other wooden areas.
The major reason for taping a dog’s ear is for aesthetics, the owner intends to add beauty to his dog.
Some animal guardians prefer a dog’s ears to stand up erect, others want to make a dog’s ears floppy or lay down. Either gives the dog a certain look that many simply find appealing.
Taping a dog’s ears down: It is achieved by pulling the erect ears down and taping them as far down under their chin as they go. Some may even tape the ears together under the chin. A strong tape is used to make it hold, for it is not an easy task due to the boisterousness of young dogs.
Taping a dog’s ears up can help in pulling the dog’s ears up.We see it in the German Shepherd. Wrap a tape around the ears until the tape causes hard support and they become erect over time.
For the dog, it will not want its ears taped for any aesthetic reason. Taping a dog’s ears down is not a good practice, there is no medical proof otherwise.
When it comes to taping a dog’s ear, I don’t think I will do it on my dog. Meanwhile, many people use it for many reasons.
I have made it clear that it has no medical proof of correcting anything. Before you consider this practice, consult your vet for better understanding of this practice.
If your pup is suffering from otohematoma, you don’t have to carry any corrective surgery if your vet does not approve it.
I prefer leaving dogs with their natural ears intact. Finally, the choice is yours to make when it comes to taping your dog.
FAQs
Is dog ear taping cruel?
Ear taping is painful and it is unnecessary. Taping a dog’s ears does not benefit them in any way. In the present and in the future it will be detrimental to their behavior, welfare, and health.
Do taping dog’s ears hurt them?
Taping down a dog’s ear is painful and it is a traumatic experience. The dog is prevented from doing some things and these will affect its development.
How long should I leave my dogs ears taped?
You need to leave it for two weeks. Your puppy’s ears may need that duration to remain stabilized in the upright position. During this time, your puppy will probably manage to remove the popsicle stick and might even start unraveling the tape from his ears
Should you tape your dog’s ears?
Taping may damage its ears to the extent that they will not stand up on their own. Because calcium is being diverted from your puppy’s ears to his teeth during teething, his ears will probably switch back and forth between standing up and flopping down