The ear and eye of an Alaskan Malamute needs as much attention just like when it comes to routine coat care. Maintain them now when they are healthy, and you’ll prevent problems that may occur down the road.

The Malamute boasts an acute hearing ability, evident in the shape of her ears. The breed is fortunate in that its prick ears are not typically candidates for the problems and infections that can affect floppy-eared dogs. The following tips will help keep them that way:

• Look inside the ears periodically to ensure they remain clean, and, more importantly, smell them. Get to know what your dog’s healthy ear smells like so you will be able to detect an abnormal odor should one ever develop.
• To clean your dog’s ears, resist the temptation to stick cotton swabs or similarly dangerous objects into the ear canal. Keep to the open, visible ear flaps, cleaning them occasionally with mineral oil on a cotton ball.
• If, during the routine care of the ears, you come to suspect a problem—or if you notice your dog scratching incessantly at one ear or shaking her head violently—contact the veterinarian.

Eye Care

Like the Malamute’s ears, her eyes, too, should require little care, yet remain vigilant in your observations and observe the following protocols:

• Become familiar with what the dog’s eyes normally look like so you will be able to detect such abnormalities as an unusual cast to the cornea or a sudden increase in tearing.
• Clean the corners of the dog’s eyes as needed with a damp washcloth. If the eyes appear red or irritated, do not treat them with drops or medications meant for humans unless instructed by the veterinarian to do so.
• Should you notice a sudden change in the eyes, consult the veterinarian. Sometimes a simple pollen allergy can be the cause of tearing, but don’t rely on do-it-yourself diagnosis and treatment. The eyes are too important for shortcuts, and sometimes serious problems elsewhere in the body manifest secondarily as changes in the eye.