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why is my dog scratching their ear?
How to tell when it’s more than just an itchy ear.
Dogs get little tickles just like you do, but a dog clawing at their ears may need veterinary attention.
Causes of itchy dog ears
- An ordinary itch
- Ear infections
- Ear mites
- Fleas or ticks
- Something stuck in their ear
When to see the vet for scratching
- Constant pawing at ear
- Head shaking
- Whining
- Ear discharge
- Ears that smell bad or weird
- Tender ears or ear pain
- Walking with head tilted
How can I help my dog’s itchy ears?
Is your dog scratching their ear, shaking their head, or whining?
It’s normal for a dog to scratch and then go about their regular routine. However, constantly stopping and pawing at their ears with their front or back feet is a sign your doggo needs to see the vet for an infection, infestation, or other ear issues.
Dog ear infections are caused by overgrowth of bacteria or yeast, which can inflame the ear canal and make it super irritated and itchy.
Ear mites are actually teeny little bugs that can cause huge itchiness deep inside dog (and cat) ears.
Barbed grass awns, seeds, and other objects can get stuck in the ear and cause your poor pupper to paw and scratch as they try to get it out.
Fleas and ticks don’t usually infest dog ears, but they can be so itchy it’s always worth ruling them out.
What can the vet do to treat itchy dog ears?
If your dog has new habits of scratching their ears and shaking their head, or has ear discharge or ear pain, it’s time to see your veterinary team.
We can examine your dog’s ears, check their eardrum for damage, and take a swab to examine under a microscope. (Infected dog ears are very tender, so we may also recommend a light sedative or pain reliever for your pal so we can get a safe look.)
Depending on the cause of the itch, your veterinary team may recommend a few courses of action. Carefully following our instructions for at-home care can help ensure that your dog’s ear scratching gets back to normal.
Ear infections: If your dog has an ear infection, their ears will need to be regularly cleaned and treated with an antibiotic or antifungal medication.
Mites: Like treating ear infections, treating mites typically involves cleaning pet ears and applying a topical mite-killing prescription medication.
Fleas or ticks: If your pet has fleas or ticks, talk to your veterinary team about parasite control options for your pet’s location and lifestyle.
Foreign object: Your dog may be understandably unhappy about anyone probing in their ears, so we may need to sedate or anesthetize them to safely inspect and remove any object in their ear canal. We may also prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and treat infection.
Mentioned in this article
Does your dog have an ear infection?
Symptoms of ear infections in dogs.
All about fleas and pets
Yikes! Info for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.
How to treat a dog ear infection
What works to treat ears, plus what can hurt your pet.
Does your dog have ear mites?
What "coffee grounds" in ears might mean.
Worried about your pet? Ping Pet Chat™!
Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans®!
Log in to start chattingHow Banfield can help with ear care for cats and dogs
We take happy, healthy pet ears seriously! Our vets can help you find out what’s causing your pet’s ear issues, work with you on a treatment plan, and prescribe safe and effective medications to help treat your pet. We can even work with you to help prevent future problems.
We can work with you to help manage chronic ear infections. If you notice your pet is getting ear infection after ear infection, let’s discuss underlying causes, solutions, and possible prevention for your pet’s issues.
We can provide guidance for cleaning and medicating dog and cat ears. Infected ears can be tender, which may make it rough to treat them at home. Let us know if your pet absolutely refuses to cooperate — we’re here to help!
We can help identify and manage food or environmental allergies that can cause ear infections and skin itchiness and irritation. If you suspect an allergy is causing your pet to sneeze, wheeze, itch, or scratch, we’re here with professional guidance to help your pet.
Any other health concerns?
Just let us know. We’re here to help with loving veterinary care, including your pet’s adorable ears.
