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Originally Posted by geo78  why is there an obsession with taping ears? i live in the uk and we don't do it how do ears go up naturally on there own? my little lady tilly is 4 months and one ear just shot up and the other is floppy. is there anything i can add to her diet to help the othrr one go up? |
I don't think there is an obsession here at all! The only taped ears I have ever seen are in pictures on YT. A lot of whether a dog's ears stand or not are genetic. If you have a good well-bred line, their ears are going to stand with no more help than to maybe keep the hair cut off the tips of them. I have never taped a dogs ears. All of my pups had their ears standing nicely before 12 weeks old, actually I think about 8 weeks.
Taping the ears is merely a method offered when people ask (as you are doing) what can be done when their ears are not standing on their own by this time. Before considering taping, I would definately make sure to shave the top third of the ear triangle -- both sides. That takes the weight off and ears that are not as well muscled will be able to stand. Some may still not stand and then taping may help. Soem just never stand -- as I said -- genetics.
As far as diet -- not sure about adding anything -- just be sure the pup is on a premium puppy food. I have read that calcium supplements, even adding a TUMS (for yorkies it would probsbly be more like a 1/4 of a tums a day), adding glucosomine, can possibly help -- but I would ask your vet before giving anything other than puppy food to a 4 month old yorkie. I have my suspicions people say these things work because the ear stood up when it would have also stood if nothing was added. Teething can make their ears flop even if they were previously erect-- so maybe there is something about calcium being redirected to teeth. IDK.