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Do you have a french bulldog with floppy ears? If so, you might wonder why it happens and what you can do to help.
So why do French Bulldogs have floppy ears?
French Bulldog ears can stay or become floppy for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is hereditary, which implies it’s passed down from their parents. Other causes of floppy French Bulldog ears include infections, trauma, teething, breeding issues, diet, or hygiene.
In some cases, there are ways to help a French Bulldog’s ears stand up! However, sometimes it is permanent.
In this article, we will cover the fundamental reasons why french bulldog ears might be down and floppy and five ways to help them stand up!
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Do All French Bulldog Ears Stand Up Straight?
No, not all French Bulldog ears stand up straight. In fact, some Frenchies have floppy ears that may never stand up completely erect. Roughly 10% of French Bulldogs will end up with floppy ears.
A common reason French Bulldogs’ ears don’t fully stand up is that the cartilage in their ears is not strong enough. This can be due to genetics, nutrient deficiencies, parasites, or an ear injury that has damaged the cartilage. More on this below.
If your French Bulldog has floppy ears but is healthy in every other way, there is no need to worry. Their ears may just always remain slightly droopy.
When Do French Bulldog Ears Stand Up?
When French bulldogs are puppies, they have large floppy ears. Around one to four months old, their ears will start to stand up. By the time they are four months old, most Frenchies’ ears will be completely upright. However, some can take 7-8 months to fully develop.
If your French Bulldog’s ears have not started standing up by the time they are four months old, there may be an underlying issue. If a Frenchie is four months old and has a floppy ear, you might want to consider some methods for supporting their ear development (more on these below).
However, not all French Bulldog ears will ever stand up.
So why does your French Bulldog have floppy ears? Let’s find out.
Why Are My French Bulldog’s Ears Floppy And Down? (8 Reasons)
When a French Bulldog is a puppy, they can have large floppy ears. For them to fully stand up can take time. In fact, during development, their ears can stand up just to randomly fall back down again.
So why does this happen?
There are a few reasons your French Bulldog’s ears may be floppy. Let’s discuss them.
#1 Not Fully Developed Yet
If your Frenchie is less than a year old, their ears may not fully develop.
Just as it takes time for human babies to grow and strengthen, the same is true for French Bulldog puppies. So if they have floppy ears, the best course is to wait.
In most cases, their ears will stand up on their own. However, Suppose your French Bulldog is over 8 months with no sign of their ears standing. In that case, there may be another underlying reason why their ears are floppy.
#2 Genetic Predisposition
Floppy ears in French Bulldogs could be due to genetics. It’s pretty typical if you know both of their parents had floppy ears. If this is the case, you’re out of luck. You’ll just have to cope with the fact that their ears will always be flopping down.
#3 Puppy Teething
Another potential reason for a french bulldog to have floppy ears is teething. During the teething process, a puppy’s gums and teeth are growing, which impacts their ears.
In fact, you might see their ears standing up, only to fall down again when teething begins. Teething can occur between the ages of three to six months. So if your Frenchie’s ears are down during this time, it may be due to teething and not a cause for concern.
In addition, only one ear might be down while the other stays upright. But, again, this is entirely normal and nothing to worry about.
#4 Negligent Breeding
In some cases, floppy ears are the result of negligent breeding. For example, assume a French Bulldog’s parents were not bred correctly. This might lead to health issues with a puppy’s ears.
Some breeders want to sell ‘show-quality’ Frenchies and can often make their ears too big. When Frenchies’ ears are too big, they become heavy. So heavy that the Frenchies’ ears never fully stand up on their own.
In addition, sometimes a French Bulldog will develop naturally large ears at no fault from the breeder.
The health of your French Bulldog depends on the breeder you select. Choose a reputable one to avoid any future health problems for your pup. In addition, a good breeder can tell you if floppy ears are common in the parents or grandparents of the puppy you are interested in.
#5 Injury Or Trauma
If your French Bulldog’s ears are floppy, it might be due to an injury. This is most likely to occur if they catch their ear on something or someone accidentally pulls on their ear.
It’s also possible for French Bulldogs to injure their ears during play. If they are running and jumping to catch a ball, they could hit their head on something and damage their ear.
#6 Diet & Nutrition
Another potential cause of floppy ears is poor nutrition. If a French Bulldog does not get enough of the proper nutrients, this can affect their overall health and development.
So make sure your Frenchie is eating high-quality dog food containing their required vitamins and minerals. This will aid in the proper nutrition of your puppy and guarantee they will acquire all of the necessary nutrients to remain healthy and develop properly.
If a dog’s diet is insufficient, the cartilage in their ears may not develop correctly, resulting in drooping ears. So if you want to ensure your French Bulldog has healthy, erect ears, feed them a nutritious diet.
#7 Poor Hygiene
If you don’t clean your French Bulldog’s ears regularly, this can lead to ear infections. Ear infections are a common cause of floppy ears in dogs. When ear infections are left untreated, they can damage the cartilage in the ears and cause them to flop.
When a French Bulldog’s ears are not cleaned, they accumulate dirt, wax, and grime, causing their ears to become heavy. When this happens while a Frenchie grows, its ears may be unable to stand up correctly.
To avoid ear infections, clean your French Bulldog’s ears regularly with a dog-safe ear cleaner. This will help remove any dirt, wax, or debris that could cause these issues.
A good indicator they may have an ear issue is If you notice your French Bulldog scratching their ears frequently or shaking their head.
Further Readings: How To Clean Dog’s Ears When They Hate It: 9 Simple Steps
#8 Infection Or Parasite
Another potential cause of floppy ears is an infection or parasite. For example, if your French Bulldog has an ear infection, this can damage the cartilage and cause their ears to flop.
Ear mites are a kind of parasitic insect that may live in a dog’s ear canal. If your Frenchie has ear mites, they will scratch their ears repeatedly, leading to ear ailments.
Infections and parasites could be causing your Frenchies floppy ears, so make sure to check them.
If you think your French Bulldog has ear mites on an infection, take them to the vet for treatment.
Why Have My French Bulldog’s Ears Flopped Suddenly?
For both French Bulldogs’ ears to suddenly become floppy after being upright, there are a few potential causes.
The most likely is teething, parasites, or hygiene issues. For example, if your French Bulldog has ear mites, it will cause them to scratch their ears constantly, leading to ear infections and other problems. This can result in your pup’s ears becoming floppy.
Teething is also a common cause of a Frenchies ear suddenly dropping after they were already standing up.
Lastly, If a French Bulldog’s ears are not cleaned regularly, this can lead to a build-up of debris or ear infections. Ear infections are a common cause of floppy ears in dogs. When ear infections are left untreated, they can damage the cartilage in the ears and cause them to flop.
Why Is One Of My French Bulldog’s Ears Floppy?
When just one ear of a French Bulldog starts to flop is usually indicative of three things. The first is that there may be an infection in the ear that’s flopping. The second possibility is that something has happened to damage the ear. Finally, the third is teething! Teething can cause just one ear to flop down.
Either way, teething, infections, or injuries can all cause just one ear to flop. These are the most likely reasons for an isolated floppy ear.
How to Make My French Bulldog’s Ears Stand Up?
To begin with, floppy ears on French Bulldogs are not always a health concern. You shouldn’t be concerned if your French Bulldog’s ears are flaccid and otherwise healthy.
Sometimes they may need fixing and help to stand. However, so long as the dog is happy and healthy, that is all that matters.
Here are 5 methods to help your French Bulldogs’ Ears stand up:
#1 Muscle Strengthening
The first thing you should try is the chewing method. It helps develop French Bulldogs’ muscles around their ears to help them perk up.
Chew toys are one of the best things to get a French puppy to help strengthen the muscles in a French Bulldog’s face, jaw, and neck. This helps their ears stand up.
There are a variety of chew toys on the market, so make sure you choose one that is appropriate for your French Bulldog’s age and size.
#2 Supplements For Cartilage Growth
Another method you can try to help your French Bulldog’s ears stand up is to give them supplements.
There are a few different supplements on the market that can help with this issue. However, speaking with your vet before giving your French Bulldog any supplement is important. After speaking with Dr. Littlejohn, he recommended Glucosamine as one of the best products to help with French Bulldogs’ ears.
Glucosamine is a supplement that is typically given to dogs with joint pain. However, it also helps with cartilage and connective tissue development. So if you want to try supplements, Glucosamine is excellent for Frenchie ear development.
Here are some great options for Glucosamine supplements on Amazon:
- Zesty Paws Glucosamine for Dogs
- VETRISCIENCE Glycoflex
- Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Chewable Dog Supplements
Even though these are top-rated products for dogs, it’s still best practice to consult your vet before giving your French Bulldog any supplement.
#3 Nutrition And Diet
What your French Bulldog eats can also affect how their ears develop. This goes without saying, but a high-quality diet is something essential for all dogs.
Especially for growing puppies, certain nutrients are essential for developing cartilage and connective tissue.
Some of these essential nutrients include:
- Vitamin C
- Protein
- Omega-Fatty Acids
- Zinc
If you want to ensure your French Bulldog gets all the nutrients they need for their ears to develop, you can feed them high-quality kibble or go a more natural route. Both can work.
You can also add supplements to their food to give them added nutrients. Dr. Wendell O. Belfield wrote a book on how to have a healthier dog. This book discusses supplementing puppies’ food with vitamin C to help their development.
I discussed this with our veterinary consultant to find out his perspective, and he agreed.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for cartilage and connective tissue development. So adding this to your pup’s diet can help their ears!
I recommend Pure Synergy Pure Radiance C. You can put it in their water bowl or pour some onto their food.
#4 Surgical Procedures
Another method I will discuss is a surgical option. However, be aware this is an extreme measure and should only be done as a last resort.
For surgical solutions, some people opt to have their French Bulldog’s ears surgically implanted.
This invasive and expensive procedure should only be done as a last resort. It requires your Frenchie to be put under anesthetic by a vet.
I recommend trying all the other methods I’ve discussed before even considering this option.
#5 Taping French Bulldog Ears
Taping is common for people to help the French Bulldog’s ears stand up. This approach is popular because it is non-invasive and inexpensive.
However, you should wait until your French Bulldog is at least 4 months of age before taping them.
To tape your Frenchie’s ears, you will need:
- Medical tape (I prefer medical grade over other tapes that can cause irritation)
- A friend to help (optional but recommended)
How to Tape A French Bulldog’s Ears
I have found that the easiest way to tape my French Bulldog’s ears is with help from a friend. Having someone hold your Frenchie while you tape can make the process much smoother.
If you don’t have anyone to help, that’s okay! You can still do it by yourself. Just be prepared for your Frenchie to move around a lot.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to tape your French Bulldog’s ears:
Step One: Prep The Ears
The first step is to prep your Frenchie’s ears. I like to do this by cleaning them with some ear wipes. This helps to remove any dirt or wax that might be on their ears.
Step Two: Apply The Tape
Now it’s time to apply the tape. First, make sure it s breathable tape that is not too sticky. Start by folding your Frenchies ear and holding it at the base.
Next, attach the tape to the back of your Frenchie’s ear. Then start to wrap it around your Frenchies ears, so it holds the ear folded in place. Make sure the tape is tight but not too tight. You don’t want to cut off circulation.
Now do the same thing on the other ear.
Step Three: Remove The Tape
After 3 days, remove the tape from your Frenchies ears to see if they are standing up. If not, wait a day, then re-apply the tape for another 3 days.
Repeat this process until their ears are finally standing.
Step 4: Inner Ear Taping (Optional)
If your Frenchies’ ears are mostly standing but have a few wrinkles or creases, you can try taping the inner part of their ear.
To do this, start by taking a small piece of tape and placing it on the inside of your Frenchie’s ear. Then, take another piece of tape and place it over the first piece, so it forms an “X.”
The tape should help remove the wrinkles and creases in their ear.
Here is a great video breakdown of both of these tapping methods for Frenchies’ ears:
Is Taping Frenchie Ears Safe?
Now you might be wondering whether taping dog ears is safe or not.
The answer is yes, it’s perfectly safe. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when doing it.
First of all, as I mentioned earlier, you want to make sure you’re using medical tape or something similar. This is because regular tape can be harsh on their skin and cause irritation.
Definitely avoid duct tape and any other really sticky tape.
Secondly, you want to ensure the tape is not too tight and is flush with their ears. This will avoid cutting off circulation and creating creases in your Frenchies ears.
Taping is a safe method for getting the French Bulldog’s ears to stand up. It will be uncomfortable for them at first but overall safe.
Final Thoughts
Write me a conclusion paragraph about french bulldogs with floppy ears.
Overall, French Bulldogs with floppy ears can be perfectly healthy. However, many people prefer their ears to be up.
Some common causes of floppy ears include teething, infections, trauma, parasite, nutrient deficiencies, and genetics. If you’re looking to get your Frenchie’s ears to stand up, you can try a few methods. Taping is the most popular and effective method. Just be sure to use medical tape and not tape them too tightly.
We hope this guide helps you understand why French Bulldogs have floppy ears and how to fix them!
If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to best advise you on how to help your Frenchie. Thanks for reading!
Other posts you might find interesting:
French Bulldog Ears: Growth Stages, Problems, Cleaning & More\
French Bulldog Ear Positions Chart With Meanings & Images