I Love My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel…But Oh, That Ear Smell!

Congratulations! You’ve discovered just what great dogs Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are.

The Noble Cavalier

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with beautiful ears.
(Photo by Galleytrotter)

These dogs are probably the most gentle and caring breeds around today. Surprisingly, it has only been in the last couple of decades that the world discovered the breed. Before this time, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were known primarily in England where the dogs enjoyed great popularity. In fact, the dogs were so beloved that Kings Charles II decided to give them his name. No word on whether or not any of the affection for the breed transferred to the king. However, the dogs became so treasured that doctors even prescribed them as lap warmers. For many years, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels could only be owned by England’s royalty and elite.

Fortunately, that is no longer the case. Today, anyone can enjoy these terrific dogs. With all that being said, there can be a slight problem. You may notice that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ears smell bad from time to time. Keep reading for some ideas about solving this problem.

So why do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’ ears smell bad like an old sock sometimes? The answer is simple. Cavaliers tend to suffer from an accumulation of bacteria and dirt within the ears because of their positioning which prevents the circulation of air to clear out debris. You will find that a Cavalier needs to its have ears cleaned frequently. Of course, a trip to the vet isn’t always convenient or even possible. Don’t worry, there are other ways to keep your Cavalier’s ears clean at home.

Before attempting to clean your Cavalier’s ears, it is important to be aware of how the ears of a dog differ from those of a human. Your dog’s ear is unlike the human ear, which is a virtual maze of passages protecting the eardrum and allowing for safe cleaning. A dog ears consist of just three parts – inner, middle, and outer. This means that the eardrum is vulnerable and can easily be damaged if cleaning is not done carefully.

Cleaning Options for your Cavalier’s Ears

There are effective ear cleaning solutions available from your vet or local pet store. You can buy one of these or try using a homemade formula. A couple of homemade ear-cleaning formula that appear on Internet pet-care sites follow:

• A mixture of 8 oz minted witch hazel, 2 drops of clove oil, and 5 drops of tea tree oil, or
• A 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar

Before trying such solutions, please research their safety.  If you prefer an easier option, you can try all natural EcoEars for Dogs which allows you to safely clean and treat your Cavalier’s ears at home with a tested formula.

How to Use a Cleaning Solution on your Cavalier’s Ears

Whether you choose to buy a cleaner or make your own, be sure to put a substantial amount in your dog’s ear. Be prepared for the dog’s likely jump in reaction to the feeling of cold medicine. Once you pour the solution into your dog’s ear, fold your Cavalier’s ear over to keep the medicine from pouring out. Then, with the ear still folded, rub it gently to work the cleaning solution inside the ear canal. You should be able to hear the fluid moving in the ear. After rubbing the ear for a couple of minutes, you dog will want to shake his head. Let your Cavalier shake and hopefully it will produce the loosened wax and dirt.  Once this is done, use a ball of cotton to wipe away any excess wax and dirt.

How often should you clean your Cavalier’s ears?  There is not a simple answer. Only you can decide. The cleanliness of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s ears depends on how well they were cleaned previously, the living environment, length of time spent outdoors, as well as other factors.

If you have any questions on your pet’s care, always consult your vet.

Further Reading: 

• "Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes Treatment, Prevention," American Kennel Club (AKC)
• "Dog Ear Infection Symptoms and Treatment," petMD
• "All Ears," American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, Inc