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Why Does My Dog Keep Scratching Their Ears?

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Quick Answer

Persistent ear scratching usually means an ear infection, ear mites, or allergies. Check for redness, discharge, or odor inside the ear. Ear infections won't resolve on their own and need veterinary treatment with appropriate ear drops.

What You Need to Know

Dogs scratch their ears occasionally, just as humans do. But persistent or intense ear scratching — especially if accompanied by head shaking, tilting, or visible discomfort — almost always indicates a problem that needs treatment.

Ear infections (otitis) are the number one cause. They come in three types: bacterial, yeast, and mixed. Yeast infections produce a distinctive dark brown, waxy discharge with a musty or sweet smell. Bacterial infections often produce yellow or green pus-like discharge. Both cause redness, swelling, and pain in the ear canal.

Allergies are the most common underlying cause of recurrent ear infections. Dogs with food allergies or environmental allergies (atopy) produce excess ear wax and have inflamed ear canals, creating a perfect environment for infections. If your dog gets ear infections repeatedly, allergies should be investigated.

Ear mites are tiny parasites more common in puppies and outdoor cats (dogs get them from cats). They cause intense itching and produce a dark, crumbly discharge that looks like coffee grounds. Ear mites are highly contagious between pets.

Water in the ears from swimming or bathing is another common trigger. Moisture in the ear canal promotes bacterial and yeast growth. Dogs who swim regularly need ear drying drops after every swim.

Common Causes

  1. Ear infection (otitis) — bacterial, yeast, or mixed; the most common cause
  2. Allergies — environmental (atopy) or food allergies cause chronic ear inflammation
  3. Ear mites — especially in puppies or dogs living with cats
  4. Foreign body — grass seed (foxtail) lodged in the ear canal
  5. Water in ears — after swimming or bathing
  6. Excessive ear wax — some breeds produce more wax than others
  7. Ear polyps or tumors — especially in older dogs
  8. Aural hematoma — blood-filled swelling on ear flap from aggressive scratching

Breed Variations

Breeds with floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Labs) are significantly more prone to ear infections — the ear flap traps moisture and reduces airflow. Poodles and Bichon Frises grow hair inside their ear canals, which also traps debris. Shar-Peis have narrow ear canals that are infection-prone. German Shepherds are predisposed to yeast ear infections.

When to Worry

See a vet if there is discharge (brown, yellow, or green) from the ear, if the ear smells bad, if the ear is red and swollen, if your dog yelps when you touch the ear, if their head is tilted to one side, or if they are losing balance or walking in circles (this can indicate inner ear infection).

When NOT to Worry

Occasional ear scratching with clean, pink ears that have no odor or discharge is normal. Some dogs scratch their ears more during allergy season. If the ears look clean and your dog scratches once or twice and moves on, it's usually nothing to worry about.

Home Care Tips

Do NOT put anything into an infected ear without vet guidance — you could rupture the eardrum. Clean visible outer ear gently with a damp cloth. For prevention: dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing, clean ears weekly with a vet-approved ear cleaner (not water or hydrogen peroxide), and keep hair around the ear opening trimmed.

When to See a Vet

If symptoms persist for more than 24–48 hours, worsen, or are accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, or pain, see your vet promptly.

When in doubt, call your vet. A quick phone consultation can help you decide if an in-person visit is needed.

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