Ear Infections in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment 🐶✨

By Dr Duncan Houston

🔎 Quick Answer

Dog ear infections are often caused by yeast, bacteria, allergies, moisture buildup, wax, or foreign material. Signs include head shaking, scratching, smell, discharge, and pain. Proper treatment requires both medicated drops and effective ear cleaning with vet-recommended products such as Epi-Otic® Ear Cleanser, along with options like MalAcetic®, TrizEDTA®, or Douxo®, as cleaning removes debris and allows medication to work properly.

If your dog is shaking their head, scratching their ears, or you catch that unmistakable “something’s off” smell, an ear infection is very likely.

Ear infections are one of the most common things I see in practice, and they’re often more complex than people realise. Treating them properly is not just about drops. It’s about cleaning, diagnosing, and fixing the cause.

🧠 Why Dogs Get Ear Infections

Dogs are set up for ear problems.

Their ear canals are:

• long

• narrow

• L-shaped

This traps:

• moisture

• wax

• debris

Perfect environment for:
👉 yeast
👉 bacteria

Some dogs are more prone, especially:

• floppy-eared breeds

• swimmers

• dogs with allergies

• dogs with hairy ear canals

🔍 Signs of an Ear Infection

Watch for:

• head shaking

• scratching ears

• rubbing ears on surfaces

• redness

• discharge (brown, yellow, black)

• bad smell

• pain when touched

• head tilt

If it smells bad, there’s usually something going on.

📋 Common Causes

Allergies

One of the biggest causes of recurring infections

Often seen with:

• paw licking

• red skin

• repeated ear issues

Moisture

Swimming or bathing can trap water in the ear canal

Wax buildup

Some dogs produce excess wax, which feeds infection

Foreign material

Grass seeds and debris can trigger sudden, painful infections

Ear mites

Less common in dogs but still possible

🩺 How Vets Diagnose Ear Infections

Diagnosis matters because treatment depends on what’s in the ear.

Your vet may use:

• otoscope exam

• cytology (microscope exam of debris)

• culture for chronic cases

👉 Not all ear infections are the same
👉 Guessing treatment is where things go wrong

💊 Treatment Options

1. Medicated Drops

Most infections need:

• antibiotic

• antifungal

• anti-inflammatory

Some are daily
Some are long-acting

2. Ear Cleaning (This Is Critical)

Cleaning is not optional.

If the ear is full of debris:
👉 medication won’t reach the infection

This is where a lot of treatments fail.

🧴 Ear Cleaning Products (What Actually Works)

A proper ear cleaner is just as important as the medication.

✔️ Epi-Otic® Ear Cleanser
https://virbac.com/home/products/ear-care/epiotic.html

A commonly used veterinary ear cleaner designed to:

• remove wax and debris

• help dry the ear canal

• reduce odour

• support a healthy ear environment

It’s:

• pH balanced

• gentle

• suitable for regular use

👉 Often used before applying medication
👉 Helps medication work properly

🧪 Other Vet-Recommended Options

Other commonly used veterinary ear cleaners include:

• MalAcetic®
  https://www.dermapet.com/product/malacetic-otic-ap/

• TrizEDTA®
  https://www.dermapet.com/product/trizedta-aqueous-flush/

• Douxo®
  https://douxos3.com/products/douxos3-care-ear-cleanser/

These are designed to:

• break down wax

• control bacteria or yeast

• improve treatment effectiveness

👉 Cleaning first is what allows treatment to actually work

🚫 What NOT to Use

Avoid:

• hydrogen peroxide

• alcohol

• random home remedies

These can:

• irritate the ear

• worsen inflammation

• delay healing

🧼 How to Clean Ears Properly

Basic method:

• Fill the ear canal with cleaner

• Massage the base of the ear

• Let your dog shake

• Wipe out debris with cotton

👉 Do NOT stick anything deep into the ear

⚠️ What NOT to Do

• don’t self-diagnose

• don’t use leftover medication

• don’t stop treatment early

• don’t skip rechecks

• don’t dig in ears with cotton buds

🧼 Prevention Tips

• dry ears after swimming

• clean ears when appropriate

• manage allergies

• check ears regularly

• act early if signs appear

🚨 When to See a Vet

• symptoms last more than 48 hours

• strong smell or discharge

• visible pain

• repeated infections

• head tilt or balance issues

Ear infections don’t fix themselves well.

💬 Final Thoughts

Ear infections are common, but they’re also:

👉 painful
👉 frustrating
👉 often recurring

The winning formula is:

• proper diagnosis

• good cleaning

• correct medication

• fixing the cause

Because treating the infection is only half the job.

Stopping it from coming back is the real goal.

❓ FAQ

Can I use human ear drops on my dog?
No. They can be unsafe and inappropriate for canine ear conditions.

Are ear infections contagious?
Usually no, but mites can spread between animals.

How often should I clean my dog’s ears?
Depends on the dog. Some need weekly cleaning, others only occasionally.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?
Often due to allergies, moisture, or underlying chronic issues.

If your dog’s ears keep flaring up or you’re unsure which cleaner or treatment is right, the ASK A VET™ app can help you figure out what’s actually going on and what to do next.