A Guide to Ear Infections in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

That frantic head shaking at 3 AM. The distinct, sweet-yet-sour smell coming from your dog's ears. The constant scratching that leaves red, raw patches behind. If you're a dog owner, you've likely faced an ear infection, or otitis externa as vets call it. It's one of the top reasons dogs visit the vet. After years working in pet care and fostering dogs with chronic issues, I've seen the full spectrum—from simple, one-time fixes to complex, recurring nightmares. This guide cuts through the generic advice. We'll cover what you actually need to know: recognizing subtle signs, understanding the three main types, executing effective treatment (both at home and with your vet), and implementing a prevention plan that works for real life.

The Real Signs of a Dog Ear Infection (Beyond the Head Shake)

Everyone knows about head shaking and scratching. But early detection can stop a minor issue from becoming a major, painful ordeal. Look for this combination of clues.

Odor is a huge one. A healthy dog's ear has a mild, neutral smell. An infected ear often smells yeasty (like baking bread) or pungent and foul. If you get a whiff and think "something's off," trust your nose.

Visual changes are key. Gently fold back the ear flap. Look for:

• Redness or swelling in the ear canal.
• Discharge: This can be waxy, yellow, brown, or black. Yeast often produces a dark brown, waxy discharge. Bacteria can create a yellow-green pus.
• "Cobblestone" skin: The skin inside the ear may look thickened, rough, and bumpy from chronic inflammation.

Behavioral signs are often missed. Your dog might tilt its head to one side consistently, hold one ear slightly lower, or become head-shy, pulling away when you try to pet near its ears. They may rub their head along the carpet or furniture. A drop in energy or appetite can signal the infection is causing significant pain.

The Three Types of Canine Otitis: Yeast, Bacterial, or Mites?

Not all ear infections are the same. Treating a yeast infection with an antibiotic meant for bacteria does nothing. Your vet will use an otoscope to look deep into the ear and often take a swab to examine under a microscope (cytology). This is crucial. Here’s how they differ.

Many infections are mixed—both yeast and bacteria. That's why many prescription drops contain both an antifungal and an antibiotic. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes accurate diagnosis as the first step in effective treatment.

How to Treat a Dog's Ear Infection: A Step-by-Step Plan

Treatment is a partnership between you and your vet. Skipping steps or stopping early is the fast track to a resistant, chronic problem.

Step 1: The Veterinary Diagnosis & Professional Clean

This isn't optional. Your vet needs to confirm the eardrum is intact before any medication goes in. If the drum is ruptured, certain cleaners and meds can cause deafness or severe balance issues. They'll often do a deep clean in the clinic to remove debris so the medication can actually reach the infected skin. Ask to see the cytology slide—it's fascinating to see the yeast or bacteria up close.

Step 2: At-Home Medication & Cleaning Protocol

You'll get prescription drops. The success mantra is: Clean first, medicate second.

1. Clean: Squeeze a generous amount of vet-recommended cleaner into the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear for 20 seconds—you should hear a squishing sound. Let your dog shake (stand back!). Then use cotton balls or gauze to wipe out the loosened gunk from the folds you can see. Never use cotton swabs (Q-tips); you'll just pack debris deeper.
2. Medicate: Wait 10-15 minutes for the canal to dry. Then apply the exact number of drops prescribed. Massage the base again.

Complete the entire course of medication, even if your dog seems better in 3 days. Stopping early leaves the toughest microbes alive to come back stronger.

Step 3: Addressing the Root Cause (The Part Most People Miss)

If your dog gets recurrent ear infections, you're just treating symptoms. The real work is detective work. In probably 80% of chronic cases, the root cause is allergies—either to something in their food (beef, dairy, chicken are common) or in the environment (pollen, dust mites).

This means treatment might expand to include allergy testing, a strict hypoallergenic diet trial for 8-12 weeks, or medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint. It's a longer road, but it's the only way to break the cycle.

Preventing Future Ear Infections: It's More Than Just Cleaning

Prevention is about managing your dog's unique risk factors. A one-size-fits-all approach fails.

For all dogs: Check ears weekly for odor or redness. Keep ears dry after baths and swimming. I use a dedicated absorbent ear cloth and a low-heat pet dryer on the ear flap.

For floppy-eared or hairy-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Poodles): Regular ear hair plucking is essential. This improves airflow. Ask your groomer or vet to show you how to do it painlessly. Use a maintenance cleaner weekly as your vet advises.

For dogs with known allergies: This is your primary battlefield. Work with your vet on a consistent allergy management plan. You might notice their ears flare up seasonally, giving you a clue.

Let me share a case. Buddy, a Labrador I fostered, had constant ear infections. We treated them, they came back. We did a food trial, switching to a novel protein (duck), and within 6 weeks, the ear redness vanished. His issue wasn't water or anatomy—it was chicken. Finding the trigger changed his life.

Your Ear Infection Questions Answered

Can I use human ear drops or hydrogen peroxide for my dog's ear infection?

Never use human ear drops or hydrogen peroxide in your dog's ears without explicit veterinary instruction. Human medications can contain ingredients like steroids or antibiotics that are inappropriate or dosed incorrectly for dogs and can worsen certain conditions. Hydrogen peroxide can damage the delicate ear canal lining, causing significant pain and delaying healing. Your vet will prescribe a medication specifically formulated for canine ear anatomy and the type of infection present.

My dog has chronic ear infections. Should I stop bathing them permanently?

Stopping baths entirely isn't the solution and can lead to other skin problems. The key is moisture management. Use a high-quality, dog-specific ear dryer after every bath and swim. Insert a cotton ball gently into each ear canal before bathing to block water. The real focus should be on identifying and managing the underlying cause, which is often allergies (food or environmental). Working with your vet on a long-term allergy management plan is far more effective than avoiding water forever.

How can I tell if my dog's ear infection is an emergency?

Seek emergency care if you see signs of a ruptured eardrum or a severe systemic reaction. These signs include a sudden head tilt, loss of balance, walking in circles, rapid and uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus), or vomiting. These indicate the infection may have spread to the middle or inner ear, affecting balance and neurological function. Extreme lethargy or a head so painful your dog won't let you touch it also warrants an immediate vet visit.

Are some dog breeds more prone to ear infections, and what can I do?

Absolutely. Breeds with floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds), hairy ear canals (Poodles, Schnauzers), or narrow ear canals (Shar-Peis) are predisposed. For these dogs, proactive care is non-negotiable, not optional. This means a strict schedule of plucking hair from the ear canal (learn from a groomer or vet), using a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaner weekly, and thorough drying after moisture exposure. Think of it as essential breed-specific maintenance, like brushing a long-haired dog.

Ear infections are a pain, literally and figuratively. But with a sharp eye for early symptoms, a commitment to proper treatment, and a focus on the root cause, you can get your dog relief and keep those ears healthy. Start with that vet visit—it's the most important step you can take.