Why Do My Dogs Ears Stink

If you've noticed a foul odor coming from your dog's ears, you're not alone. Many dog owners encounter this issue, and it's often a sign that something isn't quite right with your pet's ear health. In this article, we'll explore the common causes of smelly dog ears, how to address the issue, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

Why Do My Dog's Ears Stink?

Common Causes of Smelly Dog Ears

1. Ear Infections

   • Description: Ear infections are one of the most common causes of bad-smelling ears in dogs. These infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both. Moist environments, allergies, and underlying health conditions can contribute to the development of an infection.
   • Symptoms: In addition to a foul odor, you may notice redness, swelling, discharge, and your dog scratching or shaking their head.

2. Yeast Infections

   • Description: Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments, making your dog’s ears an ideal breeding ground. Yeast infections are particularly common in dogs with floppy ears, as these types of ears trap moisture more easily.
   • Symptoms: A yeast infection typically produces a distinct, musty smell, along with dark brown or yellow discharge.
     

     Also Read: Dog Yeast Infection Home Remedy

3. Ear Mites

   • Description: Ear mites are tiny parasites that can infest your dog's ears, leading to irritation and infection. These mites are more common in puppies but can affect dogs of any age.
   • Symptoms: Besides a bad smell, you might see dark, crumbly discharge resembling coffee grounds and notice your dog scratching their ears excessively.

4. Excessive Ear Wax

   • Description: Some dogs naturally produce more ear wax than others. This wax can build up over time, trapping dirt and bacteria, which can lead to a bad odor.
   • Symptoms: You may notice a waxy buildup in the ear canal, accompanied by a mild to strong odor.

5. Allergies

   • Description: Allergies to food, environmental factors, or other allergens can cause inflammation in the ears, leading to infections and odors. Dogs with allergies often have recurrent ear problems.
   • Symptoms: In addition to a bad smell, allergic reactions can cause itching, redness, and discharge in the ears.

6. Poor Ear Hygiene

   • Description: If your dog’s ears aren’t cleaned regularly, wax, dirt, and bacteria can accumulate, leading to a foul smell and potential infections.
   • Symptoms: Build-up of debris in the ears, bad odor, and possibly some discomfort for your dog.

Are Stinky Dog Ears an Otitis Media?

Smelly dog ears can indeed be associated with otitis media. Otitis media is an inflammation that occurs in the middle ear area, and this condition is usually accompanied by the production of a purulent discharge that may emit an odor. Otitis media can be caused by a number of things, including untreated otitis externa, water in the ear canal, ear mite infections, allergic reactions, or invasion by other pathogens. If your dog shows symptoms such as frequent head shaking, scratching of the ears, redness and swelling of the ears or increased discharge, it is recommended that you take your dog to your veterinarian for examination and treatment in a timely manner!

Common symptoms of otitis media in dogs 

• Earache

The dog may show signs of pain by frequently shaking its head and scratching its ears.

• Behavioral changes

Due to the discomfort, the dog may appear agitated or depressed.

• Ear canal discharge

There may be a purulent or foul-smelling discharge from the ear canal.

• Hearing loss

Otitis media may cause your dog's hearing to be affected.

• Balance problems

Severe otitis media may cause your dog to develop movement disorders or loss of balance.

• Fever and headache

In some cases, dogs may have systemic symptoms such as fever and headache.

What to Do About Stinky Dog Ears?

• Clean your dog's ears with a pet-specific ear wash to help remove earwax and reduce odor.

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• If an ear mite infection is suspected, it can be treated with medication that specifically targets ear mites. 
• Keep your dog's ears dry and thoroughly dry the inside of the ears after bathing to avoid residual moisture. 
• Check your dog's ears regularly to detect and treat problems.

If your dog's ear problem is serious or ineffective on its own, you should take your dog to the veterinarian in a timely manner. 

Please note that you should be gentle when dealing with your dog's ear problems to avoid damaging the ear canal or eardrum. Also, make sure the products used are suitable for your dog's breed and health condition.

Related:  Effective Tips to Get Rid of Dog Smell

How to Properly Clean Dog's Ears with a Special Ear Wash for Pets?

• Preparation

Make sure your dog is in a comfortable environment, prepare tools such as pet ear wash, cotton balls or swabs, and towels.

• Check the ears

Check your dog's ears for redness, swelling, discharge or odor before cleaning, and consult your veterinarian first if there is any abnormality.

• Apply ear wash drops

Gently tilt your dog's head so that the ear to be cleaned is facing upwards and drop an appropriate amount of ear wash into the ear canal, but do not overdo it.

• Massage the base of the ear

Gently massage the base of your dog's ear with your fingers to help the earwash mix with the earwax, usually for about 10 seconds.

• Let your dog shake his head

After massaging, allow your dog to shake his head freely to dislodge any fluid and loose earwax from the ear canal.

• Wipe the ears

Use a cotton ball or swab to gently wipe the outside of your dog's ears and the opening of the ear canal to remove any remaining earwax and earwash.

• Blow-dry the ears

Blow dry your dog's ears using a hair dryer on the cool setting to ensure the inside of the ear canal is dry and to prevent bacteria from growing.

• Check and reward

After cleaning, check that your dog's ears are clean and free of residual moisture, and reward and reassure them appropriately.

Please note that the use of the ear wash should follow the instructions in the product manual and remain gentle during application to avoid causing damage to your dog's ears. Regular cleaning of your dog's ears, usually once a week, can help prevent ear infections and keep the ear canals healthy. If your dog is experiencing persistent problems with his ears, you should consult your veterinarian.

Also Read:  How to Groom A Dog ?

Do I Have To Treat My Dog's Ears With Medication When They Have An Odor?

When your dog's ears develop an odor, you can use the following steps to determine if medication is needed.

• Observe the symptoms

Check your dog for symptoms such as frequent head shaking, ear scratching, redness and swelling of the ear canal, abnormal earwax or foreign objects. These may be signs of an ear infection or parasitic infection. 

• Ear Wax Inspection

Gently clean the outside of your dog's ears using an ear canal cleaner and a cotton ball and observe the color and texture of the earwax. Normal earwax is usually brown or black, dry and has no particular odor. Abnormal earwax may be yellow, green or have an odor, which may indicate an infection. 

• Ear Canal Examination

If your dog allows it, you can use an otoscope to examine the inside of the ear canal for redness, discharge or foreign objects. If you are unsure how to perform the examination, or if your dog is exhibiting pain, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

• Professional Diagnosis

If your at-home examination indicates that your dog's ear problem may require medication, or if your dog is reacting strongly to ear discomfort, you should take your dog to your veterinarian immediately for professional examination and treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend an earwax microscopy or earwax bacterial culture test to determine the specific pathogen and prescribe the appropriate medication based on the diagnosis. 

Keep in mind that you should not self-administer human ear canal cleaners or medications to your dog, as this may cause damage to your dog's ear canals. Always follow your veterinarian's recommendations for treatment.

When to Vet?

When your dog's ears are smelly, you should determine if you need to take your dog to the hospital based on the following symptoms

Frequent head shaking and ear scratching

This can be a sign of ear discomfort or infection. 

Red, swollen ears or discharge

Especially if the discharge is purulent or colored (e.g. reddish-brown), this may indicate an infection or other problem. 

Sensitive or painful ears

If your dog shows a painful reaction to touching the ear, there may be inflammation or other problems within the ear. 

Hearing loss or behavioral changes

Ear problems may affect your dog's balance and hearing, and you should seek medical attention if you notice these changes. 

Foul odor from the ears

A healthy dog's ears should be dry and odorless; if you smell a foul odor, this is a clear warning sign.
 
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian for an examination as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may perform an ear canal examination, microscopic examination of the earwax, or a bacterial culture test of the earwax to determine the cause of the condition and provide treatment accordingly. Do not attempt to clean deep into your dog's ears on your own, as this may push the earwax deeper into the ear canal or injure your dog's ears. Prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment is critical to prevent ear problems from worsening.

FAQs

Why Should I Not Clean My Dog's Ears with Cleaners Containing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide?

Cleaning your dog's ears with cleaners containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is not recommended as these substances may irritate your dog's ear canals and eardrums. Alcohol is volatile and may cause discomfort and pain in the ear canal, especially if your dog's ear canals are narrow or inflamed, and its use may lead to drying of the ear canal or even damage to the eardrum. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, may cause burns to the tissues within the ear canal, especially if your dog has an open wound in the ear canal, and its use may exacerbate the damage. Therefore, in order to protect the health of your dog's ears, you should choose a pet-specific mild ear wash for cleaning.

Does Smelly Dog Ears Always Mean Ear Mites?

Smelly dog ears don't always mean ear mites. Ear mites are one of the common causes of smelly ears in dogs, and they can cause itchy, red, swollen ears with a specific odor. However, smelly ears can also be due to other reasons such as ear canal infections, earwax buildup, and moisture getting into the ear canal during bathing and not being cleaned out in time. In addition, dogs with inflamed ears, such as otitis media or otitis externa, can also develop an odor. Therefore, if your dog's ears have an odor, you should carefully examine the exterior and interior of the ears and consider possible other causes. If the problem does not improve after self-cleaning and treatment, it is recommended that you take your dog to the veterinarian promptly for professional diagnosis and treatment. 

Why Should You Trim My Dog's Ear Hair Regularly?

• Prevents blockage of the ear canal

Long ear hairs may block the ear canal, leading to a buildup of earwax and dirt, which not only affects your dog's hearing, but can also cause ear infections. 

• Reduce moisture in the ear canal

Ear hair can help keep the ear canal dry, and a moist ear canal is an ideal environment for bacteria and parasites such as ear mites to thrive. Trimming ear hairs helps reduce moisture in the ear canal and reduces the risk of infection. 

• Improved Cleaning Efficiency

Trimming ear hair makes the ear canal easier to clean, allowing for more efficient removal of earwax and possible foreign bodies, keeping the ear canal hygienic. 

• Prevents ear infections

Clean and dry ear canals help prevent ear diseases such as otitis media and otitis externa, which can cause discomfort and pain in dogs. 

• Improve your dog's comfort

Long ear hairs can be uncomfortable for your dog, especially when moving around, and the wiggling of the hairs may irritate the ear canal, and trimming the ear hairs can improve your dog's comfort level. 

Therefore, regular trimming of your dog's ear hair is an important measure to maintain its ear health, especially necessary for those breeds with long ear hair. When trimming ear hair, professional tools and techniques should be used to avoid harming your dog's ears or skin. If you are unfamiliar with ear hair trimming, it is recommended that a professional pet groomer perform the procedure.

Conclusion

A bad smell coming from your dog's ears is often a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention. Whether it's an infection, mites, or just a buildup of wax, addressing the problem promptly can prevent more serious health issues down the line. Regular ear care and monitoring can keep your dog’s ears healthy and odor-free. If you notice any persistent symptoms, be sure to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.