All You Need To Know About The Dog Ear Anatomy

  Summary: In this blog, learn all about your dog’s ears! We’ll go over the dog ear anatomy and what you need to know about dog ears as a pet owner… Dog Ears Did you know that the average dog can hear around x4 better than a human, including sounds at incredibly high frequencies that […]

Oct 04, 2023·3 min read
All You Need To Know About The Dog Ear Anatomy

 

Summary: In this blog, learn all about your dog’s ears! We’ll go over the dog ear anatomy and what you need to know about dog ears as a pet owner…

Dog Ears

Did you know that the average dog can hear around x4 better than a human, including sounds at incredibly high frequencies that human ears can’t pick up!? Your dog’s ears are kind of amazing, and far more sensitive and accurate than ours!

Dog ears – and human ears alike – are an organ that enables hearing and also contributes enormously to the ability to balance. Your dog’s ear is made up of three parts; inner, middle, and outer…

Dog Ear Anatomy

a blue and beige infographic detailing the inner ear anatomy of a dog

Inner Ear; the most complex and arguably important part of the ear. This area consists of the cochlea (which is directly responsible for hearing), and the vestibular system (which is directly responsible for balance).

Middle Ear; this area is made up of the eardrum, three tiny bones that are contained in a small, air-filled chamber called the hammer, stirrup, and anvil (collectively known as the ossicles), the oval window, and the eustachian tube. The eustachian tube connects the back of the nose with the middle of the ear, allowing air to flow through.

Outer Ear; this is the part of the ear that we can primarily see on our pups and they come in all shapes and sizes depending on a dog’s breed. The outer ear is called the pinna (or ear flap!), is made of cartilage, and is covered with our dog’s skin and fur. Its shape is designed to effectively capture sound waves and make sure they pass through the ear canal and the eardrum. The dog ear canal is much deeper than in human ears, and they have an outer, vertical canal followed by a horizontal canal too. Unlike people, canine pinnae can move independently of each other and freely. More than a dozen separate muscles contribute to the movement of a canine’s ear, and the entire area is dense with nerves and blood vessels.

As mentioned, the shape of a dog’s ear varies from breed to breed. For example, German Shepherds typically have erect and active outer ears, whereas a Cocker Spaniel’s ears are typically long and dropping.

Dogs Ears

Ears’ discomforts are fairly common in doggos. Because of this, your vet will examine a dog’s ears at every routine checkup and check for infection, mites, and/or foreign bodies.

Foul-smelling ears can be an indicator of further ear issues. If you notice your dog’s ears are starting to smell bad, contact your vet to get your pup looked over. 

Being on top of your dog’s hygiene, including cleaning their ears regularly will reduce the likelihood of them developing issues.

Sources

Author Moriello, Karen A. DVM DACVD “Ear Structure & Function Of Dogs” MSD Manual: Veterinarian Manual, Oct 2020 https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/ear-disorders-of-dogs/ear-structure-and-function-in-dogs

Author Kidd, Randy “Structure Of The Canine Ear” Whole Dog Journal, Apr 22. 2019 https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/structure-of-the-canine-ear/

“Let’s Hear It For Dog Ears!” Coronado Veterinary Hospital, Feb 05. 2019 https://nadovet.com/blog/103982-lets-hear-it-for-dog-ears

Sarah MiltonS
WRITTEN BY

Sarah Milton

Comes from a family of animal lovers and got to grow up with a menagerie of pets! I believe owning a pet is a privilege and I love researching and creating informative, fun content for fellow pet owners to help their furry friends have the happiest and healthiest lives. When I’m not writing blogs, you can find me sharing a walk with my pet dachshund or at a yoga class!

Stay up to date

Get notified when I publish something new, and unsubscribe at any time.

🧬 We are on socials

Related posts

newsletter

Join Our Mailing List For Pupdates & Access To Special Discounts!

facebookinstagramyoutubetiktok

Pay Securely With

Visa card
Mastercard
American Express card
PayPal
Disover card
Google pay
Apple pay

© 2024 PetLab Co.

The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice. PetLab Co. is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your pet has, or you suspect your pet has any medical condition, you are urged to consult your veterinarian. Medical conditions can only be diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Results May Vary. Not intended for human consumption. Please consult your veterinarian regarding any change in treatment or supplementation.
*In Amazon Pet Health Category in 2022
Back to top button