Ear Infections in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Care

I have learned that a dog's "bad mood" is often a pain story in disguise. When ears hurt—deeply and constantly—even the gentlest companion can flinch, growl, or snap if someone touches the sore place. That isn't malice; it's survival. Our job is to notice early, act kindly, and get the right help fast.

This guide walks through the signs and common causes of canine ear infections, what to do (and what not to do) at home, and when to see your veterinarian. It is calm, practical, and rooted in welfare: relieve pain, fix the cause, and protect trust between you and your dog.

Pain Can Look Like Aggression

Ear infections often begin quietly, then become excruciating. A child's hug, a quick head pat, or a collar grab can land on that pain—and a frightened, hurting dog may react defensively. If your dog's behavior changes suddenly, treat it as a medical clue, not a character flaw.

Separate dogs and kids until a veterinarian has examined the ears. Do not punish; it adds fear to pain. Once discomfort is treated, many "behavior problems" melt away because the trigger was physical all along.

Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Early outer-ear (otitis externa) signs often include head shaking, ear scratching, foul odor, redness, swelling, waxy or brown discharge, and sensitivity when the ear is touched. As infection or inflammation extends deeper (middle/inner ear), dogs can show head tilt, pain when opening the mouth, balance trouble, or even vomiting. Treat deeper signs as urgent: the inner ear helps with balance and hearing.

• Persistent head shaking or ear scratching, ear-rubbing on furniture or carpet
• Redness, swelling, foul smell, waxy/brown debris, or moist discharge
• Crying, flinching, or snapping when the ear is touched; holding the head to one side
• Neurologic clues: head tilt, stumbling, rapid eye movements, nausea/vomiting

Any severe pain, sudden behavior change, or balance problem deserves a same-day exam. Prompt care prevents complications and preserves trust.

What Causes Ear Infections?

Most cases involve a mix of factors. "Primary" triggers include allergies (atopic dermatitis or food hypersensitivity), ear mites (especially in puppies), endocrine disease, growths in the ear canal, and foreign bodies such as grass awns. "Predisposing" factors make ears easier to inflame—pendulous ears, narrow canals, excess moisture from swimming or bathing, excessive ear hair, and even over-cleaning. "Perpetuating" factors (bacteria and yeast) keep the cycle going once inflammation begins.

Everyday culprits include wet ears that aren't dried after water play, cotton swabs that push debris deeper, and ear-canal hair that traps moisture and wax. Underlying allergies are common drivers of repeat infections, so long-term success usually means treating the skin disease as well as the ear.

Some dogs also develop contact reactions to certain ear-drop ingredients (for example, neomycin). If redness or swelling worsens after starting a new medication, stop and call your veterinarian before giving more.

When to See the Veterinarian

Book an appointment promptly if you notice pain, persistent head shaking, odor, discharge, or if your dog tilts the head or seems off-balance. Seek urgent or emergency care if neurological signs (circling, falling, vomiting, rapid eye movements) appear—these can indicate middle/inner ear involvement.

Until the exam, avoid putting anything deep into the ear canal. Do not use cotton swabs, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or home remedies inside the canal. If you suspect a grass awn or foxtail, do not attempt removal—these barbed seeds can migrate and require veterinary tools and, at times, sedation to extract safely.

I steady his head gently as morning light warms the kitchen tiles.

Diagnosis and Treatment Basics

Your veterinarian will examine the ear with an otoscope, check whether the eardrum is intact, and often perform cytology (a quick smear) to see which organisms are present. Chronic or complex cases may need cultures or imaging. Treatment usually combines pain relief and anti-inflammatory care with targeted therapy (topical drops; sometimes oral medication) and a plan to address underlying causes such as allergies.

Expect rechecks. Ears often feel better before they are truly healed. Follow the full course of therapy, return for cytology to confirm resolution, and work with your vet on allergy control or other triggers to reduce recurrences.

Cleaning Ears Safely at Home

Use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleanser. Fill the canal as directed, gently massage the base of the ear to loosen debris, let your dog shake, then wipe the outer canal with cotton or gauze wrapped around a finger. Never insert cotton swabs; they can push debris deeper and risk injury. If cleaning is painful, stop and ask your vet—initial medication may be needed first to reduce inflammation.

For water-loving dogs, dry ears after swimming or baths with a vet-approved drying solution or gentle towel work around the outer canal. Over-cleaning can also irritate; your veterinarian can set the right schedule for your dog.

Prevention and Everyday Care

After wet activities, dry the ears; manage allergies to keep ear skin calm; and check ears weekly for odor, redness, or debris. Keep nails trimmed to reduce self-trauma from scratching, and schedule grooming that respects ear health.

If infections keep returning, ask about an allergy workup and a long-term maintenance plan. Many chronic ear problems quiet once the skin disease driving them is under control.

Grooming Notes: Hair, Mats, and Foxtails

Routine plucking of healthy ear-canal hair is no longer widely recommended; it can cause micro-trauma and inflammation that invite infection. Pluck only if your veterinarian advises it for a specific medical reason (for example, a dense mat blocking airflow), and have deep mats in the canal addressed by a professional.

After hikes or play in dry grasses, check ear flaps and around the opening for awns. If you suspect a foxtail deeper in the ear—signaled by sudden head shaking, pawing, yelping on touch, or head tilt—seek veterinary care immediately rather than trying to retrieve it at home.

Safety With Children and Dogs in Pain

Supervise closely and teach kids to avoid faces and ears, to invite rather than insist on touch, and to step away if a dog stiffens, turns the head, or shows the whites of the eyes. Use gates and quiet zones while your dog heals.

Remember: treating pain and infection is the most compassionate "training" you can do. When the body feels better, behavior often follows.

References

Merck Veterinary Manual—Otitis Externa; Merck Veterinary Manual—Otitis Media/Interna; VCA—Instructions for Ear Cleaning in Dogs; Cornell Riney Canine Health Center—How to Clean Your Dog's Ears; UC Davis—Foxtails and Dogs; Bajwa J. (2019), Canine otitis externa—Treatment and complications; AAHA (2023) Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats.

Disclaimer

This article offers general information and is not a substitute for an in-person veterinary exam, diagnosis, or treatment. Ear disease can worsen quickly; if your dog shows signs of pain, discharge, balance problems, or sudden behavior change, contact your veterinarian promptly.