Do Dogs' Ears Pop During Altitude Changes? What You Need to Know

Ear popping is a familiar, though not exactly pleasant, sensation for those of us who travel by air, hike in the mountains, or embark on road trips across areas of differing elevations. And if your dog has ever traveled along with you, you may have wondered, do dogs' ears pop when experiencing a change in altitude?

Similar to the way that some people chew gum to keep their ears from clogging, you can give your pup a chew treat during altitude changes. The licking and swallowing will relieve pressure in their ears and prevent clogging. Plus, it will also distract them and keep them from getting anxious in the unfamiliar environment of a plane.

You can also consider giving your pup earmuffs to wear during the flight. While these won't prevent clogging, they will muffle the loud noises of the plane. This could help lessen your dog's anxiety while flying.

Helping a dog with altitude sickness

Just as dogs' ears are more sensitive to sound than ours, many dogs' ears can also be extremely sensitive to elevation changes. Vets recommend that we gradually expose our dogs to changes in elevation, allowing their ears adequate time to become accustomed to air pressure changes.

Dogs, like humans, are also prone to suffering from altitude sickness, the symptoms of which include rapid breathing, panting, dry cough, drooling, pale gums, and refusing to walk. If you notice these symptoms, the dog should be taken to a lower altitude as soon as possible, given an oxygen mask if available, and then immediately brought to the vet for care.