Widely famous for their flat skulls, Frenchies are also popular for their erect and wide opened ears. As you may guess, these tiny body parts require special attention and care to stay healthy and clean. However, what to do if your French bulldog’s ears are down and they don’t want to stand up? Read on and discover the main reasons and how can you solve this problem.
Understanding French Bulldog Ear Development
Typical Growth Stages for French Bulldog Ears
The journey to upright ears begins the moment a French Bulldog puppy is born. And, if you’ve just brought a tiny gremlin to your home, you should not worry why his ears are still floppy. It’s a natural process that is common in dogs with wide opened ears.
In the first days of their lives, the ears of Frenchies are firmly folded against their head. As puppies grow over the first few weeks, you might notice the ears start to lift and flutter, indicating the muscles and cartilage are strengthening. Most French Bulldogs have erect ears by the time they are 5 to 14 weeks old. However, what to do when the French bulldog ears are still down even after this period?
Factors Affecting Ear Position and Their Standing Up
Several factors can influence whether a French Bulldog’s ears will stand up. Genetics plays a crucial role. some dogs may inherit naturally floppy ears. This also depends on the fact whether your Frenchie pull genes from an English bulldog in his family. As we all know, Frenchies can have rose and bat-shaped ears. Rose ears are common in English bulldogs, while bat ears are considered for the standard of this breed.
Another reason that can influence your French bulldog’s ear development is the shift in calcium distribution in the body. This usually happens in during the teething phase of French bulldog puppies. Therefore, we recommend you to ask your vet to include calcium supplements into your dog’s diet during this period.
Practical Tips to Encourage Upright Ears in French Bulldogs
1- Nutrition and Supplements for Ear Health
A balanced diet rich in proteins and essential nutrients is fundamental for ear cartilage development. Supplements like gelatin and vitamin D can also support cartilage health, ensuring the ears have the necessary support to stand upright. Some experts recommend putting egg shell powder in the dog’s diet because it’s rich in calcium. It can fix your French bulldog ear down in a few weeks.
2- Exercises and Massages to Strengthen Ear Muscles
Gentle massages and exercises can stimulate blood flow to the ears, strengthening the muscles and cartilage. This section will explain simple techniques that owners can perform at home to promote ear health.
3- Frenchie Ear Taping
Another way to help your Frenchie’s ears to go up is to tape them. Gently wrap a skin-friendly tape around their ears and leave them wrapped for a few hours. This should be practiced daily in order to give results. This method should be done cautiously and ideally under the guidance of a veterinarian or an experienced breeder to avoid any discomfort or damage to the ears. Taping can help train the cartilage to hold the desired erect position.
How To Tape French Bulldog’s Ears?
Taping a French Bulldog’s ears is a method sometimes used to encourage them to stand upright, especially if the natural process is taking longer than expected. If you decide to tape your Frenchie’s ears, it’s essential to do it correctly to prevent discomfort or damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Choose the Right Tape:
Use a soft, breathable tape that’s designed for use on skin, such as surgical tape or a specialized pet tape that can be easily removed without irritating the ear.
Prepare the Ears:
Ensure the ears are clean and dry. Remove any hair that might stick to the tape to ensure it adheres properly and comfortably.
Cut the Tape:
Cut several strips of tape. You will need enough to wrap around each ear and possibly a bridge piece to connect the two ears, depending on the method you choose.
Taping Technique:
Gently wrap one strip of tape around the base of one ear, making sure it’s secure but not too tight. You want to support the ear in an upright position without cutting off circulation. If using a bridge, gently connect the tops of the two ears with another strip of tape to help keep them upright and aligned.
Monitor Regularly:
Check the tape at least once a day to ensure it’s not too tight and isn’t causing any irritation or discomfort. Replace the tape every few days to maintain cleanliness and prevent any potential skin issues.
Duration:
Typically, the ears are taped for a few days to a few weeks. It’s essential to monitor the progress and stop taping if the ears remain upright on their own or if any health concerns arise.
4- Teething phase
As we already mentioned, teething phase can be very tricky for the French bulldog’s body. During this time, it’s important to provide chew toys and possibly supplements to help manage this natural process without affecting ear development adversely. Keeping an eye on their overall health and ear position during this critical growth phase is essential.
Should I Crop My French Bulldog’s Ears?
According to the AKC, the ears of Frenchie should not be cropped. Ear cropping is a painful procedure that is often seen in Dobermans. If you own this little gremlin, it’s not advisable to cut their ears because it can lead to infections and adverse reactions to anesthesia. In many countries, including most of Europe and parts of Australia and Canada, ear cropping is illegal under animal cruelty laws. In the United States, the legality varies by state, and while it is still legal in many places, there is a growing movement against it.
Will My French Bulldog’s Ears Ever Go Up?
If your French Bulldog’s ears haven’t stood up by the time they are around 6 months old, they might stay softer and more floppy, which could be a trait inherited from their genetic lineage.
While most breeders aim for the characteristic bat ear, not all French Bulldogs will have perfectly erect ears, and that’s perfectly okay. If the appearance of your dog’s ears is a concern, particularly if you are considering showing your dog, consult with your veterinarian.
There are some interventions, like proper diet adjustments or even taping for short periods under veterinary guidance, which might help in encouraging the ears to stand up if done at the right developmental stage. However, it’s important to love and accept your French Bulldog regardless of ear status, as this does not affect their ability to be a wonderful companion.
French Bulldog Ears Down: When To Consult a Vet?
If you think that you already done everything to fix your French bulldog ears down, then you need to know this too. Sometimes, your Frenchie can have an underlying issue going on inside his ears that needs to be fixed. Therefore, if you’re suspecting something else is hiding, make sure you pay attention to these signs:
- Persistent drooping or floppiness: While it’s normal for puppies’ ears to take time to stand up, ears that remain floppy beyond the typical teething phase might indicate underlying issues.
- Redness or swelling: These could be signs of infections or allergic reactions.
- Unpleasant odor: A bad smell emanating from the ears is a common sign of infection.
- Discharge: Any unusual discharge, such as pus or a black, waxy substance, can indicate an infection or infestation of ear mites.
- Excessive scratching or pawing at the ears: This could suggest the presence of irritants or discomfort. To prevent any infection in your dog’s ears, we recommend you regular cleaning with the ear-cleaning solution. We recommend you to check our French Bulldog Ear Cleansing Oil that features natural ingredients such as Aloe vera and Marigold.
- Head shaking: Frequent and vigorous head shaking is a typical sign of ear discomfort.
French Bulldog Ears Down: Wrapping up
Owning a Frenchie can bring so many wonderful moments to your life. So, when it comes to dealing with floppy ears in French bulldogs, it isn’t even not considered for an issue. Such a dog will be a wonderful pet to your household no matter what.
Flopped ears in Frenchies are not the problem. They’re just the part of the aesthetic. So, if you’re planning to buy a French bulldog puppy, make sure you check its genes. They will reveal you whether your pooch is a purebred or a mix of a Boston terrier, Pug, or an English bulldog.
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