Pekingese Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

The Pekingese carries itself like royalty, which makes sense for a breed once kept in the palaces of imperial China. Your Peke may be small, but it has firm opinions about being handled, and its ears are buried in so much hair that a problem can stay out of sight. Learning where to look, and how to persuade a dignified little dog to allow it, goes a long way.

Read on for the features behind Pekingese ear trouble, signs to notice, frequent causes, when to see your vet and a gentle routine that respects a toy dog with a flat face and a big personality.

Why Pekingese ears are prone to problems

Few breeds pack as many ear risk factors into such a compact body. The main ones are:

• Heart-shaped drop ears with heavy feathering. The ears lie flat against the sides of the head, and long, profuse hair on the ear leather blends into the mane. The flap and its hair form a thick curtain over the canal.
• Hair over and in the canal. Many Pekes grow hair around the canal opening, which can hold wax and moisture.
• Flat face. As a brachycephalic breed, the Pekingese has a shortened skull. Flat-faced dogs tend to have narrower ear canals, which leave less room for air and for wax to work its way out.
• Nose wrinkle. The over-nose fold collects tears and debris and needs its own cleaning. Owners who are busy with the face sometimes forget the ears a little higher up.
• Long, heavy double coat. A thick undercoat under a long, straight outer coat mats easily, especially behind the ears.
• Heat sensitivity. A short nose and a heavy coat make it hard for a Peke to stay cool, and a warm head means warm ears.

The Peke is often mixed up with other Asian toy breeds. Our Shih Tzu ear cleaning guide covers a dog with a similar coat but a slightly longer face and a more outgoing temperament. The Pug article deals with small, folded ears on a short-coated dog, and the Lhasa Apso page looks at a longer-muzzled breed with a hard, heavy coat. The Pekingese combines the flattest face of the group with the most heavily feathered ears.

Signs of ear trouble in a Pekingese

Pekes are not shy about expressing displeasure, but ear discomfort can still look like ordinary grumpiness. Pay attention to:

• Frequent head shaking that makes the long ear hair swing
• Pawing at an ear or rubbing the face along the floor
• Snapping or growling when you touch the side of the head, if that is new for your dog
• A sour or yeasty odor coming through the ear feathering
• Wet, clumped or discolored hair near the ear opening
• Redness or dark wax when you part the hair and lift the flap
• Tilting the head to one side
• Restless sleep or repeated repositioning of the head

Jot down when you notice these changes and on which side. A short record helps your vet spot a pattern.

What usually causes Pekingese ear problems

Narrow canals and hair. Less space plus hair at the opening make it easy for wax and moisture to build up.

Matting. Tangles behind and under the ears hold dampness against the skin and pull at it.

Allergies. Itchy skin from environmental or food triggers often shows up in the ears and can lead to repeat episodes.

Yeast and bacteria. These live on normal skin and can overgrow in a warm, damp, inflamed canal. Your vet can identify them from a swab.

Ear mites. More likely in puppies or in homes with several pets. Mites cause intense itching and a dark, crumbly debris. Our guide to ear mites in dogs explains what to look for.

Bathing water. Water that seeps under the flap during baths can linger in a narrow canal.

When to see your vet

Home cleaning is for healthy ears. If something looks or smells wrong, have your vet examine the ear before you clean. Call if you notice:

• Pain: your Pekingese 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

A Peke's narrow canal is easy to injure. Do not use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or homemade oil drops, and do not insert cotton swabs. Ask your groomer or vet before removing hair from inside the canal.

A gentle routine for a toy dog with a flat face

Short, frequent sessions suit a Peke better than long ones. Brush the ear feathering and check the ears a few times a week, wipe the nose wrinkle daily, and clean the ears about once a week or as your vet recommends. Always check and dry the ears after a bath.

1. Use a table or your lap. Place your Peke on a non-slip mat on a table, or on a towel in your lap, so you do not have to bend over a low dog.
2. Comb the feathering. Gently work through the ear hair and the mane behind the ears with a wide-toothed comb, holding the hair near the skin so you do not pull.
3. Wipe the nose fold. Clean and dry the wrinkle over the nose before you move to the ears.
4. Part and look. Lift the flap and part the hair at the opening. Stop and call your vet if you see redness, swelling or discharge.
5. Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner and massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds. Keep the touch light on such a small dog.
6. Let your dog shake. Allow a good head shake.
7. Wipe and dry. Wipe the inner flap and the opening with a cotton pad, then blot the feathering dry.

Grooming tip: A groomer can keep the hair around the canal opening short and tidy, which makes your home checks easier.

Heat tip: Keep your Peke indoors in a cool room during hot spells and avoid grooming sessions when it is panting.

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.

Pekingese ear FAQ

Should I pluck the hair from my Peke's ear canal?

Not at home. Some vets prefer to leave canal hair alone unless it is causing problems. Ask your vet or an experienced groomer what suits your dog.

My Pekingese hates having its ears touched. What can I do?

Start with a few seconds of handling and a small treat, then stop. Build up slowly. Sudden resistance in a dog that used to allow handling can be a sign of pain.

Does a puppy cut help with ear care?

A shorter trim makes it easier to see and dry the ears and reduces matting. Many pet Pekes are kept in a puppy cut for comfort.

Is the nose wrinkle connected to ear problems?

Not directly, but both areas trap moisture, and both can flare up when a dog has allergies. Cleaning them together keeps the whole face in check.