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Dog of the Day:
Princess!
Meme of the day: That’s the truth!
The Mystery of the Warm Ear: Why Your Dog's Ears Get Hot
Every dog owner knows the feeling: you stroke your beloved canine companion, and their ears feel distinctly warmer than the rest of their body. It’s a common occurrence that can sometimes spark concern. But what's the reason behind that cozy, sometimes even hot, sensation?
The good news is that often, a dog’s warm ears are completely normal and part of their clever biological design. However, as responsible pet parents, it’s also important to know when that warmth might be a sign to consult your veterinarian.
Here’s a look into the fascinating world of your dog’s toasty-warm ears!
The Body's Air Conditioner: Temperature Regulation
The primary reason your dog's ears can feel warm is their role in keeping your pup cool. Unlike humans, dogs don't have sweat glands all over their body. They primarily cool down through panting and through areas where blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin—like their paws, nose, and, yes, their ears!
Vast Blood Supply: A dog's ear flaps (pinnae) have a rich network of blood vessels.
The Cooling Process: When your dog's body temperature rises (from exercise, excitement, or simply being in warm weather), the blood vessels in their ears dilate (widen). This process, called vasodilation, pushes warm blood closer to the skin's surface, allowing heat to escape into the air. This rush of warm blood is what you feel when you pet their ears.
In short, a warm ear is often a sign that your dog's built-in cooling system is working perfectly!
A Higher "Normal" Temperature
It's helpful to remember that dogs run a little warmer than we do. A human's average body temperature is around 98.6∘F (37∘C), while a dog's normal range is higher, typically between 100∘F and 102.5∘F (37.8∘C and 39.2∘C).
Because their ears have relatively thin skin and a lot of blood flow, they are a spot where you're likely to feel that higher internal warmth more acutely.
Everyday Life: Excitement and Activity
Did you just get home and are being greeted with a happy dance? Did your dog just finish a rousing game of fetch?
Just like a person might "blush" or feel warm after physical exertion or an emotional spike, a dog's excitement or physical activity increases their overall body temperature and heart rate. This triggers that vital vasodilation in the ears, making them warm to the touch. It’s a completely normal, short-term reaction to a wonderful or exhausting moment!
When to Pay Closer Attention
While warm ears are often harmless, an unusually hot or persistent warmth, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, can signal an underlying issue that requires a veterinarian's attention.
Sign to Look For | What It Might Mean |
Hot, Red, or Swollen Ears | This is a classic sign of inflammation, which most commonly points to an ear infection (bacterial or yeast) or allergies. |
Shaking, Scratching, or Pawing | Your dog is trying to relieve discomfort, which could be from an infection, ear mites, or a foreign object (like a grass seed) lodged in the canal. |
Odor or Discharge | A foul smell or visible discharge (dark, waxy, or pus-like) is a strong indicator of an active ear infection. |
Lethargy or Loss of Appetite | When hot ears are paired with general sickness, it could indicate a systemic fever from an infection elsewhere in the body or, in extreme heat, heatstroke. |
Only One Ear is Hot | Heat localized to a single ear can be a sign of a localized issue like an injury, a bug bite, or a condition called an aural hematoma (a blood blister caused by forceful head shaking). |
Your dog's ears are more than just floppy or perky sound catchers; they are sensitive and essential parts of their health monitoring system. So, the next time you feel that pleasant warmth, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating biology of your best friend—and be sure to give them a thorough ear scratch for all their hard work!
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Wild Coast Raw - Frozen Boneless Free-Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, for possible bird flu exposure.
The Smile Section
Family Photo of the Day:
Lefty!
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Meme of the day: @chaos_the_doxiepoo
