Cavachon Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Cavachons win people over with a teddy-bear face, a soft wavy coat and a temperament that seems built for laps. Crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Bichon Frise produces a cheerful companion, but it also brings together two sets of ears that both need care. If your Cavachon has started shaking its head or scratching, you are not alone, and a little routine maintenance makes a real difference.

Here we cover why Cavachon ears are prone to trouble, signs that deserve your attention, the most common causes, when to see a vet and a grooming-friendly routine sized for a small dog.

What makes Cavachon ears tricky

Because the Cavachon is a cross, individual dogs vary. Most, though, inherit a mix of the following:

• Feathered drop ears. From the Cavalier side come long, soft, hanging ears covered in wavy hair. The flap lies over the canal and keeps it shaded and warm.
• Hair in and around the canal. The Bichon side often adds hair that grows near or inside the canal opening, where it can hold wax and moisture.
• A soft, low-shedding coat. Cavachon coats range from wavy to curly and tend to shed little. Loose hair stays in the coat instead of falling out, so it tangles behind the ears unless it is brushed.
• Allergy-prone skin. Both parent breeds can have sensitive skin, and itchy skin often shows up as itchy ears.
• Frequent grooming and baths. Regular bathing keeps that light coat looking good, but it also means more chances for water to reach the ear canal.
• Close companionship. Cavachons go everywhere with their people, which makes ear checks easy to slip into the day, as long as you remember to do them.

If you have owned one of the parent breeds, some of this will be familiar. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ear guide describes the long, silky ears your Cavachon may have inherited. The Bichon Frise page covers the curly coat and canal hair. And if you are comparing doodle-type crosses, the Cockapoo article looks at a slightly bigger Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix. The Cavachon usually ends up between its parents: softer and wavier than a Bichon, with ears that hang like a Cavalier's but carry a little more hair.

Signs your Cavachon's ears need attention

Cavachons are affectionate, so you will often notice changes during cuddle time. Look out for:

• Shaking the head or flapping the ears more than usual
• Scratching at an ear, then whining or looking at you
• Rubbing the face against your lap, the couch or the carpet
• A yeasty or stale smell when you stroke its head
• Reddish-brown staining or damp clumps in the ear hair
• Dark wax or a moist look at the canal opening
• Shying away from head pats it normally enjoys
• A head tilt or holding one ear differently

Common causes of Cavachon ear problems

Trapped moisture. Water from baths, rain or a romp through wet grass can sit under the flap and in the canal hair.

Canal hair and wax. Hair at the opening catches wax and limits airflow, so buildup happens faster.

Allergies. Skin allergies inherited from either parent can inflame the ear canal and lead to repeat itching.

Yeast and bacteria. These are part of normal skin life. In a warm, damp or irritated ear they can multiply, and your vet can identify them with a quick swab.

Mats behind the ears. A low-shedding coat tangles easily, and mats near the ear base hold moisture against the skin.

Ear mites. Puppies and dogs that spend time with other pets are more likely to pick them up.

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 Cavachon 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

Small ears can be hurt easily. Steer clear of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and homemade oil remedies, and do not push cotton swabs into the canal. Leave hair removal inside the canal to your groomer or vet.

Ear care that fits a Cavachon's grooming schedule

Most Cavachons are brushed several times a week and see a groomer every month or two. Fold the ears into that rhythm: check them at every brushing, clean them about once a week, and always dry them after a bath. Your vet may advise more frequent cleaning if your dog has allergies or a history of ear trouble.

1. Settle your dog. Hold your Cavachon in your lap or stand it on a non-slip mat on a table at a comfortable height.
2. Brush the ears. Use a soft slicker brush and a comb on the ear feathering and behind the ears to clear tangles before they turn into mats.
3. Check the opening. Lift the flap and look. If you see redness, swelling or discharge, stop and contact your vet.
4. Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner and massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let it shake. Give your dog a moment to shake its head.
6. Wipe and dry. Wipe the inner flap and the visible opening with a cotton pad, then pat the ear hair dry with a towel.
7. Reward. Finish with praise and a small treat so the next session goes smoothly.

Groomer tip: Ask your groomer to keep the hair around the canal opening short and to trim the underside of the ear feathering. More air under the flap keeps the area drier.

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.

Cavachon ear FAQ

Does my Cavachon have Cavalier ears or Bichon ears?

Usually something in between. Most have the hanging shape of a Cavalier's ears with the denser, wavier hair of a Bichon. Look at your own dog's ears to decide how much brushing they need.

When can I start cleaning my Cavachon puppy's ears?

Handle the ears from the first week at home so your puppy gets used to it. Use an ear cleaner only from the age stated on its label, and ask your vet about any discharge.

Should the groomer pluck my Cavachon's ear hair?

Opinions differ. Some vets prefer trimming over plucking unless hair is causing problems. Talk it through with your vet and groomer.

Is a Cavachon the same as a Cavapoo for ear care?

Both crosses have a Cavalier parent and feathered drop ears. The Cavapoo's Poodle side tends to add more canal hair and a curlier coat, but the basic routine of brushing, checking and drying is the same.