Spring has sprung and dogs are in the water! That means a surge in ear infections. There are of course other causes of ear infections, but adding water to the situation certainly doesn’t help. Dietary allergies are also a huge culprit for ear infections, especially those stubborn ones that just keep coming back.
Watch for These Signs of an Ear Infection
- Redness and swelling of the ear
- Frequent head shaking
- Scratching at ears
- Rubbing ears on the floor or furniture
- Sensitive or painful ears
- Bad odor from the ears
- Noticeable discharge
If you see any of these, lift the ear flap and take a look. A yeast infection tends to smell like sweet rot, while a bacterial infections smell more like rotten eggs. If the ear is red and gunky, you’re likely dealing with an infection—and at that point, a vet visit is in order. Don’t clean the ears before a trip to the vet; your vet may need a sample to determine the exact type of infection and choose the right medication.
Here are a few tips and tricks you can implement at home to try to stay on top of them.
1. Use a dependable ear-cleaning solution
There are plenty of pet ear cleaners on the market—about as many as there are skincare products for people. Sure, there are over-the-counter options, but they often aren’t as effective. If I know a dog’s ears are prone to infection, I don’t take chances with weak products that might not get the job done. The best bet? Get one from your vet or ask them which brand they recommend, some of those products may be available over the counter.
2. Clean your dog’s ears every 1–4 weeks as needed
Outside of hunting season, I clean my dogs’ ears roughly every two weeks. That works for them, but some dogs might need more frequent cleaning, especially if they produce more ear wax or gunk. If you’re seeing a lot of discharge every time you clean, it might be time to increase frequency or consult your vet.
3. Always clean ears after any water exposure
Even clean water throws off the natural balance in a dog’s ear. The warmth, moisture, and darkness in the ear canal create ideal conditions for bacteria and yeast to grow, leading to inflammation and discharge—and eventually, infection. So, after every swim, bath, or splash through the marsh, my dogs get their ears cleaned.
4. At the first sign of infection, head to the vet for treatment
How to Properly Clean a Dog’s Ears
Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly and thoroughly is hands down the best way to prevent infections. Here’s the method I use.
- Fill each ear canal with ear-cleaning solution.
- Gently but firmly massage the base of the ear to work the solution into the canal. You’re trying to loosen up any built-up gunk.
- Let your dog shake their head—this helps expel the debris.
- Use cotton balls or pads to wipe out what you can without going any deeper than your finger can reach.
Never use Q-tips. They can push debris further down and make things worse and can rupture the ear drum if you go too deep. Repeat the process until the ear wipes come out clean.
