You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Excessive hair growing out of the ears can be unsightly ...but what should you do about it ?

Excessive hair growth in the ears is cosmetically unattractive in humans and in dogs. Some breeds are more likely to grow excess hair than others - for example poodles and spaniels. 

Large amounts of hair do not cause any problems by themselves, but they can become matted and cause problems if the ear becomes infected. Hair will hinder the administration of antibiotics and other liquid medications down the ear canal, and they can act as a focus of infection.

Dealing with unsightly hair can be difficult if you have a dog that is not co-operative. Providing the dog is co-operative and stays still the hair can be trimmed regularly using a fine pair of scissors or electric hair trimmers. Care must be taken not to catch the structures of the ear which will bleed profusely if cut. Some owners "pluck" the hair out of their dogs ears with their fingers...but this does cause discomfort and is not recommended.

If the dog is not co-operative sedation or even general anaesthesia may be needed . Whether one should put a dog through a general anaesthetic procedure for a cosmetic problem is questionable....particularly as the hairs will grow back again.

In the presence of infection in the ear canal (otitis externa) proper cleaning is essential and ear hair should be removed as part of that process. Your veterinarian will do this if it proves  necessary.

Updated October 2013