Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by James Bascharon, DVM | Last reviewed: April 2026
Ear infections in dogs happen when moisture, debris, or allergens get trapped in the ear canal and bacteria or yeast take hold. The signs show up fast — scratching, head shaking, a foul smell, and discharge — and the fix depends on which of the three infection types is in play: outer ear (most common and most treatable), middle ear, or inner ear (rarest and most serious).
Key Takeaways
Ear infections occur when foreign materials or pathogens enter the ear and cannot drain or be removed. The three types are otitis externa (outer ear — most common), otitis media (middle ear), and otitis interna (inner ear — rare but serious).
Common causes include trapped water or moisture, environmental debris, allergies that cause inflammation and wax buildup, and floppy ear anatomy that prevents airflow.
At-risk breeds include Shih Tzus, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Coonhounds, Irish Setters, and Dachshunds — primarily breeds with floppy or furry ears.
Symptoms include ear scratching, redness, foul odor (sweet/musty for yeast, putrid for bacteria), discharge (yellow, brown, or bloody), rubbing ears on surfaces, and head tilting.
Untreated ear infections can lead to aural hematomas from excessive scratching, hearing loss from trauma and blockages, and balance and coordination problems from inner ear involvement.
Prevention focuses on regular ear cleaning after water and outdoor play, using ear wipes and flushes, and thorough drying of floppy ears after bathing or swimming.
Table of Contents
What Causes Dog Ear Infections?
Which Dog Breeds Are Most at Risk?
Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infections
Common Ear Infection Treatments and Relief
At-Home Tips for Preventing Dog Ear Issues
Is your dog's ear red, tender to the touch, and making them miserable? That combination points squarely at otitis externa — the most common ear infection in dogs, and the one I see weekly in practice. This guide covers how to identify ear infection symptoms, how to prevent them from recurring, at-home treatment options, and everything else owners need to know.
A dog ear infection is a signal that foreign materials or pathogens have entered the ear and either stayed too long or can't find a way out. There are three types: otitis externa (outer ear), otitis media (middle ear), and — rarely — otitis interna (inner ear).
When a dog is experiencing ear pain, otitis externa is the culprit the vast majority of the time. Here are the common underlying causes I see in my caseload.
Water that sits in a dog's ear for too long creates the perfect conditions for yeast and bacteria to multiply. This is why infections spike in the weeks after swimming season starts — the warmth and moisture are exactly what opportunistic organisms need.
A dog's ears make contact with dirt, plants, dander, and saliva from other animals on a regular basis. Cleaning the ears after outdoor activity is the single most effective preventive habit most owners skip.
Allergies are one of the most common causes of recurring ear infections I see in practice. Food, pollen, and environmental allergens cause inflammation and wax buildup in the ear canal, which creates the exact conditions bacteria and yeast need to overgrow. Dogs with chronic allergies almost always have chronic ear issues to match.
Floppy ears don't cause infections directly — they trap the moisture that causes infections. If a floppy-eared dog doesn't get their ears completely dried after bathing, water gets locked in the canal. No airflow, no evaporation, lots of bacterial growth.
Shih Tzu. Affected by both floppy, furry ear anatomy and a predisposition to allergies — two independent risk factors stacked on one breed.
Bloodhound. Long, floppy ears trap moisture inside the canal and make natural drying nearly impossible.
Basset Hound. Like Bloodhounds, Bassets struggle with moisture retention in the ear canal after any water exposure.
Coonhound. A long history of swimming and outdoor work means frequent exposure to the conditions that promote infection. Routine cleaning after outdoor time is non-negotiable for this breed.
Irish Setter. Floppy ears combined with a tendency toward atopy creates ideal conditions for chronic ear issues. Keeping Irish Setter ears clean and dry after any water or outdoor activity matters more than for most breeds.
Dachshund. Both long- and short-haired Dachshunds have folded ears prone to wax buildup. Monthly ear cleaning is the baseline for this breed in my practice.
If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, these are the signs to watch for — roughly in the order they tend to show up.
In the early stages of an infection, your dog tries to fix it on their own. The most common self-treatment attempt is pawing or scratching at the ear to remove the irritant. The ear is delicate tissue and cartilage — pawing at it causes real pain, which is why some dogs whine while they scratch.
Redness is inflammation, and inflammation is the body's way of signaling that something is wrong. It's also one of the easiest signs to spot. Redness inside the ear flap or around the canal is a clear call to action.
A healthy dog ear has no noticeable smell. An infected ear smells unmistakable. Sweet and musty usually means yeast. Putrid means bacteria and likely pus. The smell alone often tells me what I'm dealing with before I pull out the otoscope.
Yellow, brown, or bloody discharge means the infection is active and needs treatment. It's easy to miss in furry or floppy-eared breeds, which is why a regular cleaning schedule with OticBliss Cleansing Ear Wipes helps catch the early signs before they become a vet visit.
Discharge plus redness plus a sickly-sweet smell is the classic yeast infection presentation. For more on ear-yeast specifically, see our guide on yeast infections in dogs.
Dogs desperate to relieve pressure or itch will rub their ears along furniture, carpet, or their owners. It's an obvious distress signal and shouldn't be missed.
A lesser-known symptom, and one I consider a red flag. Head tilting usually means the infection has moved deeper — middle or inner ear involvement — and the case is more serious than outer-ear otitis.
Otitis externa is infection of the outer ear and the most common type by a wide margin. It's usually caused by trapped water, environmental debris, or allergens. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and foul odor. Regular cleaning and thorough drying — especially after baths or swimming — prevents most cases.
Otitis media is infection of the middle ear, typically developing when untreated outer-ear infection spreads past the eardrum. Symptoms include pain when opening the mouth, reluctance to chew, and head shaking. Prescription medication and veterinary treatment are usually required to resolve it.
Otitis interna is infection of the inner ear. Rarest, most serious. Inner-ear infections can affect balance and coordination and can cause permanent hearing loss if untreated. Symptoms include loss of balance, circling, nausea, and abnormal eye movements (nystagmus). This one needs immediate veterinary attention — same-day.
When ear issues go untreated, the complications stack up fast. Early detection isn't optional.
Injury and scarring from scratching. A dog scratching raw and bloody damages skin, cartilage, and fur. In serious cases, aggressive scratching causes an aural hematoma — blood pooling in the ear flap, making it thick and spongy. Hematomas require surgery to correct.
Persistent head shaking. Causes stress, disrupts sleep, and in extreme cases injures the neck muscles or triggers aural hematoma.
Hearing loss. Trauma and canal blockages are the two causes I see most. Untreated otitis externa is the most common path to permanent hearing loss in dogs.
Balance and coordination problems. When infection reaches the inner ear, balance goes with it. Even agile dogs become injury-prone, and the longer it persists, the more likely the damage becomes permanent.
A mix of home and veterinary care prevents the serious complications.
Medicated ear drops are one of the most effective ways to target bacteria in the ear canal. A few drops can dramatically reduce inflammation and microbial load. OticBliss Vet Strength Ear Drops contain hydrocortisone and MicroSilver BG for targeted antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory relief.
Ear flushes work at the first sign of infection and also preventively after any high-risk exposure — swimming, dog parks, muddy outdoor play. OticBliss Antibacterial & Antifungal Ear Flush uses medicated active ingredients that rinse debris while treating irritation deep in the canal. For routine cleaning and drying, OticBliss Cleansing & Drying Ear Wipes remove debris and moisture after water exposure.
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics if the cause is bacterial, especially when symptoms persist after home-level interventions. Oral or topical formulations are both common.
Clean your dog's ears after water play, outdoor play, or social play. Gently wipe the inside of the ear flap, entry to the canal, and the fur surrounding the ear. For floppy-eared breeds, this step is non-negotiable.
Inspect ears after outdoor activity for dirt, thorns, ticks, or anything that doesn't belong. If you suspect debris in the canal, use a gentle ear flush to rinse the area.
Wipe ears down after dog-park visits or any interaction with other animals. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens transfer easily and are invisible to the naked eye.
The easiest way to clean a dog's ear is with an ear wipe. Breed shape determines the right product. Short or upright ears do well with standard OticBliss Cleansing Ear Wipes. Long, floppy breeds like Bassets and Bloodhounds need XL wipes to reach every fold and surface.
Ear flushes work as first-line treatment for a suspected infection. The basics:
Create a calm environment first. Wipe the external area down to prevent additional debris from entering the canal — the wipe step also helps your dog acclimate to your touch, which matters when the area is already tender. Apply the flush bottle tip to the canal and fill it fully, then gently but firmly massage the base of the ear. Your dog will usually shake out the excess fluid on their own. Wipe out remaining fluid with a cotton swab or soft cloth and dry the ear flap to prevent residual moisture from lingering in the canal.
Browse the full OticBliss ear health collection for ear drops, flushes, wipes, and XL wipes.
If you've tried every at-home remedy and your dog is still struggling, it's time to call your veterinarian.
At the visit, your vet will gently palpate the area to assess pain, check for inflammation, discharge, and redness, and likely use an otoscope to see inside the canal. They may also swab the ear to examine under the microscope — a technique called cytology that diagnoses whether the cause is bacterial or yeast.
In advanced or chronic cases, your vet may prescribe topical ointments or oral antibiotics. In some situations, they may schedule video otoscopy — a thin flexible camera inserted into the canal. Depending on comfort level, your dog may be sedated for the procedure.
CT scans can rule out foreign objects or tumors in more serious cases. Biopsy may be recommended if the ear lesions are sterile, to rule out conditions like cancer.
Most ear infections show early warning signs. Regular hygiene using ear wipes, flushes, and medicated drops prevents the majority of cases before they need professional intervention.
The most common causes are water or moisture trapped in the ear (leading to yeast and bacterial overgrowth), environmental debris from outdoor play, allergies that cause inflammation and wax buildup, and floppy ear anatomy that prevents airflow and traps moisture.
Breeds with floppy, furry ears are highest risk because the ear flap blocks airflow and traps moisture. The most commonly affected are Shih Tzus, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Coonhounds, Irish Setters, and Dachshunds.
Common signs include scratching or pawing at the ear, redness inside the flap or canal, a foul sweet or musty smell (yeast) or putrid smell (bacteria), yellow/brown/bloody discharge, rubbing the ear on furniture or carpet, and holding one ear lower than the other or tilting the head.
Otitis externa is infection of the outer ear and by far the most common. Otitis media is middle-ear infection, typically a progression from untreated outer-ear otitis. Otitis interna is inner-ear infection — rare but serious, with risk to balance, coordination, and hearing.
Clean ears after water play, outdoor play, or social time with other dogs. Dry the inside of the ear flap and canal entry after baths or swimming. Inspect ears for dirt, thorns, and ticks. Use cleansing ear wipes or a gentle ear flush to remove debris. Floppy-eared breeds benefit from monthly routine cleaning at minimum.
Call your vet if home treatments haven't resolved symptoms, if there's yellow/brown/bloody discharge, if your dog has scratched the ear raw, if there are signs of hearing loss or balance problems, if the ear is severely swollen (possible aural hematoma), or if infections keep recurring despite regular cleaning.
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