As of: March 31, 2024, 3:00 p.m
By: Sandra Barbara Furtner
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Do you know that? As soon as you scratch your dog's ears, he really leans in and lets out a happy sigh. Why is that?
Massaging your ears can produce an intense and almost euphoric reaction. But why do dogs react so strongly to it? The ears are filled with a variety of nerve endings. These nerve endings are extremely sensitive and can produce strong reactions when stimulated. Endorphins are released and a relaxation signal is sent to the body.
Massaging the ears helps with relaxation
An ear massage can have a relaxing effect on dogs. (Symbolic image) © Imago/Panthermedia
The gentle touch and massage of the ears can trigger deep relaxation in the dog. Similar to humans, soothing touch helps reduce stress, relax muscles, and promote a sense of well-being. Massaging your ears is believed to release endorphins - the body's "happy hormones" that trigger a feeling of euphoria and well-being. This makes the dog feel “high” or extremely relaxed. However, mistakes can also be made when petting a dog, as a video on TikTok shows.
How to properly massage a dog's ears
Find a quiet place and in a calm voice invite your dog to sit or lie down.
Start by gently stroking your dog's ears. Make sure you make slow and steady movements.
Take the dog's ear between the thumb and remaining fingers and move the thumb in gentle circular movements from the pinna outwards along the ears. Be careful not to press too hard.
Some dogs also like having the tips of their ears gently massaged. They also find scratching behind their ears pleasant and calming.
Massaging the ears also improves blood circulation. This can help relieve tension, loosen muscles and promote general well-being. Dirty and warm ears can be an indication of mites.
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Massaging your ears can be a wonderful way to build a close bond. It promotes trust and connection and strengthens the relationship.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.