In this blog post, we’ll go through what’s normal and abnormal for dogs who itch their ears, how to spot signs of an ear issue, common causes of itchy ears in dogs, and how to help prevent them from occurring.
Is ear scratching normal behaviour for dogs?
A lot of pet owners may think so. However, it depends on how frequently they are doing it, how the insides of the ears look, and if they have recently started scratching more often. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how to recognise if your dog might have an issue with their ears, common causes of ear problems, and how to reduce the chances of ear issues occurring.
Recognising signs of ear issues
Signs may vary depending on the dog and what the potential issue is. Common signs seen are:
- Frequent scratching of ears
- A full or part time head tilt
- Rubbing their ears on the ground or against other objects
- Ears and/or ear canals are red/inflamed
- Green or white fluid, or dark, thick wax within the ear canals
- An unusual smell coming from the ears
Rarely, the dog may have balance issues depending on how severe the problem is. This is due to the balance organs being located in the inner ear.
Common causes of itchy ears in dogs
- Allergies. An old misconception is that most ear issues are caused by ear mites. Nowadays, this is not the case. Surprisingly, allergies often account for majority of itchy ears in dogs, and this can even be without having itchy skin in other areas of the body! Allergies can vary from food, to environmental, or even a number of different causes. You can read more about allergies in dogs here .
- Parasites and infections. Parasite infestations such as ear mites can also cause ear issues, especially in younger dogs. Bacterial or yeast infections are common culprits, often caused by an overgrowth of the normal bacteria and yeast that live in the ear.
- Trapped material such as grass seeds. Depending on the time of the year and where your dog exercises, this could be a cause of their itchy ears.
Preventing ear issues
Preventing ear issues depends on being able to control the causes of ear issues.
- First and foremost, I would recommend keeping a regular schedule of checking your dog’s ears, at least on a weekly basis, and possibly even more regularly if they are starting to show any of the signs described above. If in doubt about any signs your dog may be displaying, let your vet take a look in their ears. Some dogs may be more predisposed to ear issues than others, depending on their breed, where you live, and also depending on how their ears and ear canals are formed.
- Finding out if your dog has any allergies can help prevent recurrent issues in the future. This will need to be done with the help of your vet, as there are so many different things which dogs can be allergic to.
- Parasite control can include using certain tick and flea medications which are also effective against ear mites, and keeping the ears clean by prevent build-up of excessive wax.
- Controlling the amount and type of wax in the ears can also help prevent bacterial and yeast infections. This can be done by cleaning the ears correctly with an approved ear cleaner.
You should speak to your vet to find out what effective ear cleaners are available in your area. It should be done on a regular basis, and especially after your dog has had a bath or been swimming, as there might be dirty water remaining in the ear canals.
NB: It is NOT recommended to use ear buds in dog ears, as it can cause damage within. You can watch a video courtesy of the PDSA on how to properly clean dog ears.
- Making sure your dog doesn’t run around in super long grass or other areas with lots of vegetation can help prevent foreign material from getting in their ear canals, as it can be a tricky job for the vet to remove it, and it may require your dog to be sedated also.
Well, I’ve now told you all the basics about itchy ears in dogs. Now it’s your turn to look out for the signs, take your dog to the vet when you think it is necessary, and use all the tips to prevent ear issues so that you should hopefully not have to take them to the vet for any ear issues in the future!
Note:The advice provided in this blog post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute veterinary advice. If in doubt always seek veterinary advice.