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The two little pansy faeries say: Ears need regular inspection and occasionally, very gentle cleaning.

Which dogs need their ears cleaned?
All puppies and dogs need their ears inspected a least once a week. Breeds with floppy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels, are more at risk of irritation or infection.

Why? What can go wrong?
Have you ever seen a Cocker Spaniel prick his ears up?

No, they can’t seem to lift their ears up at all.
That’s because the Spaniel’s floppy ears are designed to cover the ear canal, which means moisture, along with bits of dirt and grime, can irritate the ear, making it feel uncomfortable and itchy.

And the ears can then become infected?
Yes, easily. Bacterial infections may make the ears smell very bad, and leak pus and infected material.

Yuk!
Yes, it’s terrible to look at, and even worse for the poor dog, who can suffer a great deal of pain.

I never want this to happen to my dog. How do I prevent it?
Ears need to be cleaned regularly. Dip a ball of cotton wool into lukewarm water, and thoroughly remove all the dirt and grime from within the ear. Be very gentle and, while it’s necessary to remove all the grime, don’t push the cotton ball too far into the ear canal.

Can I use a cotton bud?
No. Cotton wool cleans the ear better without damaging the eardrum.

But what if the dog’s ears look and smell like they might be infected?
Take him to the vet, immediately. He will need a proper ear examination, and may be given antibiotics. Remember—if your dog does have to take antibiotics, he will only get better if you give him the right amount of medication at the right time.

In other words, read the directions on the medicine box and follow the instructions?
Yes. Then your dog will recover. But remember, when he is well again, to start cleaning his ears regularly, so he doesn’t get another infection.

All dogs’ ears, regardless of size or shape, need regular cleaning to prevent disease.

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The Toothbrush Pixie, who has very good teeth, says: Did you know that dogs’ teeth need to be kept clean, too? Dirty or rotten teeth and gum disease can result in a lot of pain. Bad teeth can even cause fatal heart valve disease.

Well, Toothbrush Pixie, how can I prevent my dog from having dirty teeth?
Choose a toothbrush just the right size for your dog’s mouth. Then buy toothpaste made especially for dogs.

But why can’t I use people toothpaste?
Because dogs can’t spit out used toothpaste or rinse their mouth, and swallowing people toothpaste makes them sick. That’s why you need to buy them doggie toothpaste!

OK. So, when do I start cleaning their teeth?
It’s best to start when puppies have lost their milk teeth and the adult teeth first appear.

What if they don’t like it?
Teeth cleaning does take a little getting used to, but most don’t really mind.

How often do I clean their teeth?
Regular cleaning, as this prevents plaque build up.

What prevents bad breath?
Clean teeth and gums prevent bad breath; it's also helpful to add chopped raw parsley to their meals.

While raw bones and commercial dog chews help prevent dental diseases in dogs, it helps to clean your dog’s teeth with a brush and toothpaste.