It’s best to have your dog’s ears cropped around three months of age. At this stage, puppies are generally healthier and better able to handle the surgery. Plus, the earlier you get the surgery done, the quicker the recovery, and the easier it is to get those ears to stand up. Keep reading below to dive deeper into the best timing for ear cropping and what you need to watch out for.
1. The Best Time to Crop Your Dog’s Ears and What to Keep in Mind
The goal of ear cropping is to make the ears of breeds that naturally have floppy ears stand up straight. This not only makes your dog look better but also can make it easier for working dogs to do their jobs. However, not every dog is a good candidate for this surgery. Breeds like Great Danes, Dobermans, Boston Terriers, Corgis, and Schnauzers are commonly chosen for ear cropping.
Generally, the best time to crop your dog’s ears is when they’re around three months old, but the exact timing can depend on your dog’s breed. By three months, their bones are well-developed, making them more capable of handling the surgery without affecting bone growth. It’s not a good idea to wait too long because as dogs get older, the surgery becomes more challenging and the chances of successfully cropping the ears decrease.
On the flip side, you shouldn’t do it too early either. Puppies younger than three months still need their vaccinations and deworming, and their bodies might not handle the anesthesia required for the surgery well. Since anesthesia carries some risks, it’s best to have a professional vet handle the procedure at a reputable animal hospital.
In summary, having your dog’s ears cropped too early or too late isn’t ideal. If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, aim to do it when your puppy is between three and four months old.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that ear cropping isn’t a necessity. In the past, it was mainly done to help working dogs perform better, but today it’s mostly for cosmetic reasons. If you’re not particularly concerned about how your dog’s ears look, there’s no need to have them cropped, especially considering the risks and discomfort involved.
2. Post-Surgery Care for Your Dog’s Ears
- First Week After Surgery: For the first week after the surgery, you’ll need to follow standard post-op care. This means disinfecting your dog’s surgical wounds daily and giving them antibiotics to prevent infections. To stop your dog from scratching the wounds and causing an infection, make sure they wear an Elizabethan collar (cone) consistently.
- Healing Timeline: About three days after the surgery, the stitches should start to heal, and by around ten days, the healing should be going well. However, if you want your dog’s ears to stand up fully, you’ll need to keep them bandaged for a while longer. During the recovery period, keep an eye on any signs of infection and feed your dog a balanced diet, avoiding too many rich or meaty foods.
- One Week After Surgery: Once a week has passed and the wounds have healed, you’ll need to apply bandages to your dog’s ears to keep them upright. Before you do this, disinfect the entire ear area to prevent skin infections or injuries. Regularly check and adjust the bandages every five to seven days to avoid issues like bruising or sores from the long-term bandaging. If the ears still aren’t standing up, continue the bandaging process. This can take a while, so be patient and consistent with your dog’s care to ensure the best results.
That’s all from me about the best time to crop your dog’s ears, what to watch out for, and how to care for them after surgery. I hope this helps you better understand ear cropping for your furry friend. And remember, if you’re not too picky about how your dog’s ears look, there’s no need to go through the surgery.
