To prevent dog ear infections, keep ears clean and dry, especially after water exposure, use vet-approved cleaners, trim excessive ear hair, manage allergies, and get regular vet check-ups to catch issues early, focusing on gentle cleaning of the outer ear and avoiding deep insertions like cotton swabs.
The single most effective way to prevent ear infections in dogs is to clean their ears regularly and to clean them well. Fill both ear canals with solution and vigorously massage into the base of the ear (on the head itself below the ear flap.
Bacterial ear infections in dogs are the most common, but, yeast, fungus and ear mites can all cause your pup's ears to become infected and painful. Some other causes of dog ear infections include foreign objects lodged in the ear, trauma, and tumors or polyps.
Yes. Food allergies and sensitivities are a common trigger for ear infections in dogs. When a dog's immune system reacts to certain ingredients in their food, it can lead to inflammation throughout the body, including the ears.
Some breeds, particularly those with large, floppy, or hairy ears (e.g., cocker spaniels, miniature poodles, Old English sheepdogs) are more prone to ear infections, but they can occur in any breed.
For a dog with healthy, normal ears, a routine ear clean is only needed if dirt or debris is noted, as overcleaning the ears can also lead to irritation of the ears. A routine ear cleaning is recommended if the ears get wet, such as after swimming or bathing.
Most often, a dog ear infection will not go away on its own. All types of otitis require a veterinarian to evaluate the infection and the eardrum. If the eardrum is ruptured, certain cleaners and medications can be damaging to a dog's middle ear.
Common allergens for dogs include proteins from dairy, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, and gluten. These ingredients are eliminated first, then slowly introduced in small quantities one at a time until the offending ingredient is found. This can help you to pinpoint which foods are causing your allergy symptoms.
The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins, especially those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten.
If your dog has an ear infection, their ears will likely be itchy to some degree. Your dog may also show other signs, including: Shaking their head frequently throughout the day. Scratching at their head, neck, and ears with their back paws.
Consider supplementing your dog's diet with antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, Coenzyme Q-10, or any number of the culinary herbs, including rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and oregano (Origanum vulgare).
Food or environmental allergies — Food and environmental allergies cause skin inflammation, which can trigger ear infections when the sensitive skin inside the ear canal becomes irritated and inflamed. This moist, swollen environment creates the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria inside the ear.
An ear mite infection will cause your dog's ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also cause your dog's ears to: produce wax. become irritated, causing them to look red and inflamed.
Here are options to try:
Allergic Otitis: One of the most common sources of ear infection is allergies. Allergies cause inflammation of the skin lining the ear canal which then can lead to the overgrowth of infectious agents like yeast and bacteria.
Use gauze or tear a cotton ball in half and wrap the cotton around your finger, and gently wipe away any debris as far into the ear canal as you can comfortably reach—but no deeper than one knuckle. Use your pinky for the easiest access, and wipe all the crevices.
Breeds with a known predisposition to allergies include Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, West Highland white terriers, Scottish terriers, bull terriers, boxers, dalmatians, Chinese shar-peis, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and others.
If the main meaty component of your dog's food is chicken protein, you may have found your culprit. Chicken allergy is the second most common food allergy in dogs after beef, and as much as 15% of dogs suffer from it, according to BMC Veterinary Research.
Novel proteins are meats that dogs aren't often exposed to – such as pork, fish, venison, or duck. It's less likely that dogs are allergic to novel proteins that aren't in their normal diets. That's why you can find novel proteins like lamb, rabbit, or turkey in the best food for dogs with allergies.
Here are some home remedies you might want to try:
In dogs, food allergies most often cause itchy skin and ears. This can lead to secondary infections of the skin and ears. In order to be allergic to a particular protein, a dog must be repeatedly exposed. Most dogs have ingested the protein they are allergic to, for months to years prior to developing an allergy.
Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved DuOtic (terbinafine and betamethasone acetate otic gel) for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs, associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis).
Treating ear infections in dogs usually consists of your vet cleaning your dog's ear with a medicated cleanser and prescribing any antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications required. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a topical medication and instruct you on how and when to apply it to your dog's ear at home.
To date, two natural antibiotics stand out from the pack: manuka honey and turmeric. Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation.
Dark brown earwax may simply be a build-up of healthy wax. Your dog's ear may just need cleaning. Gently wipe away the dirt and debris with a warm, damp cloth and dry afterward. Yeast infections (candida or Malassezia spp) commonly cause earwax to turn greasy, dark brown or reddish-brown.