Horses evolved to spend almost all day grazing — using their teeth to chew up hay, grass or other forage as the first step in the digestive process. In fact, horses have adapted to long hours of grazing in some unique ways. They have what’s called hypsodont teeth, which are teeth that continuously erupt at around 3-4 millimeters per year to compensate for the continuous grinding of forages.
Our pets occasionally scratch at their ears and shake their heads, and it’s perfectly normal. However, if your dog is constantly shaking his head or your cat is always scratching one of her ears, that’s an indication of discomfort and the presence of an underlying problem.
There are many causes of ear disease in dogs. Some common examples are:
Do you have a dog who seems uncomfortable, insecure or fearful about certain things? Fear, insecurity and trepidation in dogs can manifest in different ways. Some lunge and bark at whatever is frightening them, some hunker down and freeze until the scary thing goes away, while others give more subtle signs of discomfort. If you become familiar with your dog’s body language, you’ll know when he’s distressed.