A Pet Parent’s Guide to Canine Ear Infections: How to Spot Trouble Before It Starts

There are several telltale signs that an ear infection is on the way for a dog. Here’s what to look for and how to stop it in its tracks.

Key takeaways:

• Ear infections are a common problem for dogs.

• At least one in five dogs will experience an ear infection.

• Some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others.

• Chronic ear infections can be a sign of more severe issues.

There’s a lot to love about being a pet parent. Our fur family provides immeasurable benefits – from boundless affection to comedic relief – and we want to make sure they’re always feeling their best.

Keeping them healthy and happy includes routine care to prevent injury or illness. Ear infections are a common problem for dogs, and typically impact breeds with longer ears more than others. Several factors cause infections in the ear canal, including:

• Allergies

• Autoimmune diseases

• Buildup of wax

• Hormonal changes

• Nutrition

• Trapped moisture

Regularly inspecting your dog’s ears and performing routine care can help keep ear problems at bay, but they are bound to appear once in a while. At least one in five dogs will experience an ear disease in their lifetime, according to the American Kennel Club, and these conditions are more prevalent in the warmer months. Here’s what you need to know about ear infections and how to prevent them.

Why a dog’s ear shape matters

While human ear canals have a relatively horizontal path, dog ear canals are angled. This allows for a buildup of moisture, which leads to excess yeast and bacteria when it isn’t dried out. Experts recommend cleaning your dog’s ears at least once a month, more often for breeds with long ear flaps or excessively hairy ears. Dogs that swim a lot also require extra ear cleaning.

It’s not always easy to spot when an ear infection starts brewing. It’s important to learn the signs of ear infections and know what to do to head off trouble.

Signs of canine ear infection

Some of the most common signs of an ear infection are head shaking and smelly discharge. When these two signs appear, you most likely already have some infection setting in. There are other signs to look out for that might help pet parents catch a problem before it develops into infection, though, such as:

• Rubbing the ears on the floor – Dogs will often rub the sides of their heads on the carpet or furniture as a form of relief when their ears itch or hurt.

• Scratching at the ears – Obsessively scratching at the ears is another way to relieve pain and itching associated with ear infections.

• Avoiding contact near the ears – Dogs will typically shy away from touch around their ears when they hurt, so keep an eye out for ducking away.

These early signs of trouble let pet parents know it’s time to inspect their dog’s ears for redness, swelling, debris, and wax. It’s best to perform routine preventative care – such as cleaning and wiping away water or debris – to avoid such issues in the first place.

Cleaning your dog’s ears

Regular cleaning is the best way to keep ear infections away. The process is simple. Begin by gathering the necessary supplies, including:

• Ear wash

• Gauze

• Soft towel

Using a vet-recommended ear wash, fill the entire canal and gently massage the exterior to break up debris and help bring it to the surface. Wipe the canal with absorbent gauze, but avoid cotton swabs and paper towels (which can leave irritating fibers behind). Be careful not to clean a dog’s ears too often, though, as it can disturb the balance of bacteria and other beneficial organisms and lead to infection.

Routine care and grooming

A regular routine care and grooming visit is recommended to keep your pup’s ears in tiptop condition and their overall health in good shape. Thorough bathing with ear cleaning by a professional helps catch a problem you might have missed.

Recurring ear infections

Excess wax and debris such as dirt and grass are usually easy to fix, but ear infections sometimes have an underlying cause that indicate a more serious issue. Chronic ear infections, or those that reoccur regularly, are typically signs of something more troublesome.

Underlying causes of chronic ear infection include:

• Cancer

• Hypothyroidism

• Immune disorders

• Tumors

One often-overlooked cause of chronic ear infections is ear mites. These microscopic creatures infest the ear canal and cause pain, itching, infection, and eventual hearing loss. They are highly contagious and can survive anywhere on the body. This means they will regularly cause ear infections if not completely eradicated.

Treatment for canine ear infections

No matter how hard you try, your pup is bound to experience an ear infection or two in their life. Infections require antibiotics. Here’s what to know:

• Careful preventative care can avoid a lot of trouble, but a vet visit is sometimes the only option.

• Vets use various treatment options depending on the type and severity of the ear infection.

• Some treatments include a paste on the infected area and an oral antibiotic.

• Pastes effectively dry up the area where bacteria and yeast flourish, but antibiotics are necessary if the infection has traveled into the inner ear.

The least expensive and most effective way to make sure your dog’s ears stay healthy is to maintain a regular preventative care schedule. Cleaning their ears – especially after swimming or outdoor excursions – and regular routine care and grooming will help keep your pup’s ears healthy.

How Scenthound keeps your pup’s ears happy and healthy

Some dogs don’t like having their ears cleaned, but Scenthound can help. Our team is experienced in providing routine dog care for your pup’s skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth, and we help pet parents keep their dogs clean and healthy. We look for the signs of infections and other issues to help you spot them early, meaning you and your pup avoid the pain, discomfort, and cost of small issues becoming larger ones.

Use our Scenthound locator to find the Scenter nearest you!