Maltipoo Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Few dogs get brushed, bathed and fussed over as often as a Maltipoo. With a Maltese on one side of the family tree and a toy or miniature Poodle on the other, this tiny dog tends to have a soft, curly or silky coat, a sweet face and a pair of hair-covered ears that rarely get a close look. Under all that fluff, the ear canals are small and often lined with hair, a setup that can let wax and moisture build up quickly.

Read on for the Maltipoo-specific reasons ears get irritated, how to spot a problem early, what is usually behind it, when your vet should step in and how to fold ear care into the grooming you already do.

Why Maltipoo ears need extra attention

Both parent breeds have hairy ears, and the Maltipoo gets a double dose. A few features stand out:

• Hair growing in the canal. Maltese and Poodles both grow hair inside the ear canal. In a Maltipoo, that hair sits in a passage that is already very narrow.
• Drop ears hidden by coat. The ears hang down close to the head and are often blended into the facial hair, so owners may not notice redness or wax until it is obvious.
• Tiny canals. A dog weighing just a few pounds has little room to spare, so a small amount of debris can block airflow.
• Frequent baths. White and apricot coats show dirt, which means more bathing, and every bath is a chance for water to sit in the ear.
• Tear staining near the face. Many Maltipoos have damp, stained fur below the eyes. That moisture can extend toward the ear base when the face is not dried well.
• Allergy-prone skin. Like their parent breeds, some Maltipoos react to pollen, dust or foods, and itchy ears are often one of the first clues.

Poodle-type dogs show up among the higher-risk groups for ear inflammation in a large UK study of dogs in veterinary care, and the Maltipoo inherits that hairy-canal trait. The Maltese ear page describes a purebred with a long, straight, silky coat, and the Cockapoo guide deals with a bigger crossbreed with heavier spaniel flaps. The Maltipoo's challenge is mostly about very small, very hairy canals.

How to tell your Maltipoo's ears are bothering it

Toy dogs often show discomfort in subtle ways. Watch for:

• Frequent head shakes, sometimes with a flop of the ear against the cheek
• Pawing at one side of the head or rubbing it along furniture
• Waxy, brown or yellow residue clinging to the hair near the ear opening
• Ear hair that looks darker, clumped or greasy compared with the rest of the coat
• An unpleasant odor during cuddles
• Redness on the inner flap once you part the hair
• Crankiness or snapping when the ears are touched at grooming time

Odd smells are often the first thing owners notice. Our post on why dogs' ears stink explains the common reasons.

Common reasons Maltipoo ears get irritated

Hair and wax packed together. Canal hair acts like a filter that catches wax, which then hardens around the hair and narrows the passage further. Removal of canal hair should be decided by your vet or a groomer who knows your dog.

Water left behind after baths. A quick towel rub dries the coat but not the space under a hair-covered flap.

Yeast and bacteria. These organisms are normally present in small numbers and can flourish in a warm, damp, inflamed canal. Your vet can look at a sample to find out what is going on.

Allergies. Environmental and food allergies are a frequent background cause of ears that flare up again and again.

Matting at the ear base. Curly Maltipoo coats tangle easily behind the ears, holding dampness against the skin.

Foreign material. Grass bits or grooming debris can slip into a small canal and cause sudden irritation.

Signs it is time to call your vet

A tiny dog with a sore ear can go downhill quickly, so do not wait it out. Contact your vet if your Maltipoo shows:

• Pain: your Maltipoo yelps, flinches or will not let you touch the ear
• Head tilt, loss of balance, circling or unusual eye movements
• Bleeding, or a swollen, puffy ear flap (this can be a blood blister called an aural hematoma)
• A bad smell together with discharge
• Redness or swelling that is getting worse
• Symptoms that have not improved after a few days, or keep coming back

Please do not pour vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or homemade oil blends into a Maltipoo's ear. These can burn sensitive skin and are risky if the eardrum is damaged. And keep cotton swabs out of the canal entirely.

Building ear care into Maltipoo grooming

Since Maltipoos are brushed several times a week and bathed regularly, the easiest plan is to tie ear care to those sessions. Check the ears at every brushing and clean them about once a week, plus after each bath. If your dog has had ear problems before, follow your vet's schedule instead.

1. Comb out the ear hair. Use a fine-tooth comb on the ear and behind it, gently working out any tangles.
2. Part the hair and inspect. Lift the flap and look at the skin and opening. If it is red, swollen or weeping, pause and phone your vet.
3. Fill the canal. With the ear held up, fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner. In such a small ear, it does not take much.
4. Massage 60 to 90 seconds. Use your thumb and finger to work the base of the ear softly.
5. Allow a shake. Let your Maltipoo shake its head to bring loosened debris up.
6. Wipe gently. Clean only the visible flap and opening with a cotton pad.
7. Dry the hair. Pat the ear hair dry so it does not stay damp against the head.

Bath-day order: Wash and dry the coat first, then clean the ears last so no extra water finds its way in afterward.

Face care: Wipe and dry the tear-stained area daily, working outward toward the ears, so moisture does not wick into the ear hair.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. As directed on the label, fill the ear canal, massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds, let your dog shake, and wipe away loosened debris. Use it twice daily for 10 days in a row, then weekly or as needed. It is for dogs 12 weeks and older and for dogs only, since it contains tea tree oil.

Maltipoo ear FAQ

Is it normal for my Maltipoo to have hair inside its ears?

Yes. Both parent breeds grow hair in the canal. It only becomes a concern if it traps wax or the ear looks irritated, and your vet can advise on whether to remove it.

My Maltipoo's ear hair turns reddish-brown. Why?

Wax, discharge or licking can tint light-colored hair. If the staining is new or comes with odor or scratching, have your vet examine the ear.

Does a puppy cut help Maltipoo ears?

A shorter trim on and under the ears makes them easier to inspect and quicker to dry. It is a practical choice for many owners.

How small a dog is too small for ear cleaning?

Size is not the issue; age and ear health are. Follow the cleaner's label for age, use gentle pressure and never push anything into the canal.