Symptom · Dogs
Ear infection in dogs: what it means and when to call the vet
Head shaking, scratching at an ear, a smell or discharge usually mean an ear infection. See a vet within a day or two: ear drops only work for the right cause, and some damage the ear if the eardrum is broken.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Yeast or bacterial infection, often driven by allergies
- Grass seeds in the ear canal
- Ear mites (especially puppies)
- Floppy ears and swimming trap moisture
What you can do at home
- Don’t push anything into the ear canal
- Don’t use old drops without a check — the cause may be different
- Dry ears after swimming
What the vet may do
- Look at the eardrum with an otoscope
- Check a sample under the microscope
- Clean the ear and prescribe the right drops
- Remove grass seeds, sometimes under sedation
Prevention
- Weekly ear checks for floppy-eared breeds
- Manage underlying allergies
The details
Ear infections tend to come back when the underlying cause — most often an allergy — is not treated. Cleaning helps, but only with a cleaner your vet recommends and only once the eardrum has been checked.
Questions owners ask
Is ear infection in dogs an emergency?
Usually it is not an emergency, but your pet should see a vet within 24 hours. Go now if you see: head tilt with loss of balance or circling; sudden swelling of the ear flap (aural haematoma) — see a vet the same day; severe pain when the head is touched.
What causes ear infection in dogs?
Yeast or bacterial infection, often driven by allergies; Grass seeds in the ear canal; Ear mites (especially puppies); Floppy ears and swimming trap moisture.
What can I do at home?
Don’t push anything into the ear canal. Don’t use old drops without a check — the cause may be different. Dry ears after swimming.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts