ear care for dogs

Know the signs of an ear infection — or when it’s just a little itch.

Are your dog’s ears looking or smelling funny, or are they constantly scratching their ears? Here’s help finding out what’s up, plus our recommendations and advice to help your dog’s lovable ears be happy and healthy.

All about dog ear issues

Does your dog have ear mites?

What "coffee grounds" in ears might mean. Ear mites in dogs

How to treat a dog ear infection

What works to treat ears, plus what can hurt your pet. What vets recommend

Why is my dog scratching their ear?

Sometimes a scratch is more than a little tickle. Decode ear scratching

A corgi puppy laying in their owner's lap

Treating dog ear infections without a vet

What to know about popular home remedies. Help ear infections

Commonly asked questions about dog ear care

Q:

When will my German Shepherd’s ears stand up on their own?

It really depends. Final ear positions can vary from dog to dog, especially in German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes. If your dog’s cute ears are fated to stand up, it will probably happen before they’re 10 months old.

Q:

Does ear cropping hurt dogs?

Ear cropping is a cruel and unnecessary surgery that is often painful, complicated, and challenging to heal. It’s a purely cosmetic procedure that does not benefit your dog in any way. Banfield does not perform this surgery at any of our locations.

Q:

Is my dog deaf, or just stubborn?

Hearing loss can be very hard to evaluate on your own, even in the best-trained and most obedient doggos. You can try seeing if they respond to noises when sleeping or focusing someplace else — but even that isn’t a true test, since their hairs are sensitive to air flow! If you’re concerned, we recommend you consult with your veterinary team.

Q:

How often should I clean my dog’s ears?

A:Liquid ear cleaners should only be used at the direction of your veterinary team — too often can inflame ears, dry them out, and lead to increased wax production, all of which can then lead to ear infections.
You can wipe your pet’s ear and the entry to their ear canal with a soft tissue or cotton ball as often as once a week. But never use a cotton swab inside the ear — it’s just too easy to damage those delicate ear structures.

Q:

How can I tell if my dog has an ear infection?

Many pets will hide their symptoms, even if their ear infection is actually quite painful. If your dog’s ears are itchy, stinky, or have any kind of discharge, or if they react negatively when you touch them, bring them in to see the vet.

Q:

I got water in my dog’s ears — should I be worried?

Are they acting normally? You’re probably okay. Are they prone to ear infections? Keep a special eye out for symptoms of ear infections, like discharge, bad ear smells, and pain. If you see anything worrisome, check with your veterinarian about your concerns.

Q:

Is this thing on my dog’s ear a wart, a tumor, or a tick?!

Unfortunately, many bumps on dog ears can look alike, especially if your pet is too wiggly to give you a good look. Your best bet is to consult your veterinarian for next steps to help put your mind at ease.

Q:

Can Banfield help me with my dog’s ear problems?

Our vets can help you find out what’s causing your dog’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! Make an appointment

Q:

How can I clean my dog's ears?

For a step-by-step play on how to clean (and medicate, if prescribed by a vet) dog ears, check out our page on dog ear infections. Clean those ears

Q:

How to treat a dog ear infection without a vet?

A:Ear distress can be caused by everything from ear mites to allergies to ear infections, each of which needs a different kind of treatment. “Treating” your dog with a home remedy for the wrong thing won’t help and can even lead to other problems. Never put anything in your dog’s ear without veterinary instruction. That includes internet cures for dog ear infections like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol, which can cause additional ear issues.

Q:

How do dogs get ear infections?

Some dog ear infections are bacterial. Others are caused by a kind of yeast, Malassezia pachydermatis, that normally lives on your dog’s skin and in their ears. When the inside of your dog’s ear gets a little too moist, their ear canal becomes a perfect dark and cozy hollow for yeast (and bacteria too) to go wild and cause a full-blown ear infection.

Illustration of a smartphone with chat bubbles

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^®!