Ear infections in dogs: causes & treatment

Ear infection is a common problem in dogs. Among other things, it can be recognised by frequent scratching of the ears. This scratching can lead to bleeding. Treatment is annoying for both the dog and the owner and is also not entirely without risk. We therefore say, prevention is better than cure!

What are the symptoms of ear infection in a dog?

Ear infection can be recognised by the following symptoms:

Shaking the head
Scratching the ear
1 ear ‘hangs’ differently
Beeping on hard touch of the ear
Stinky ears
Visible abundance of earwax in the auricle

What are the causes of an ear infection?

Food or environmental allergy
Many ear infections are caused by an underlying skin problem, usually an allergy. Bacteria that live in and around this weakened skin thus have a chance to cause an infection. By feeding your dog food that your dog is not allergic or hypersensitive to, you can strengthen the skin and thus reduce or even prevent the risk of ear infections.

Race/anatomy
Some dogs produce more earwax than others like a Labrador. Droopy ears like in a Cocker Spaniel, a very narrow ear canal like in the Sharpei or a lot of hair in the ear canal like in the Poodle have an increased risk of developing an ear infection.

Swimming/wetness
Dogs that swim a lot or come into frequent contact with water, such as when the owner cleans the ear too much, are more prone to ear infections than other dogs.

A foreign object in the ear
Foreign objects, such as a grass cataract, can irritate the ear to such an extent that it causes inflammation. This is particularly common in the warmer seasons.

An ear mite infection
An ear mite is a microscopic critter that lives in and around the ear canal of dogs, among others. The mite's saliva causes irritation, causing sebaceous glands to produce more earwax. This occurs mainly in puppies.

A tumour or polyp
In a few cases, there is a tumour or polyp.

How to prevent ear infections in dogs?

You can reduce the chances of an ear infection by using the following tips:

Tip 1: Always have a new puppy or kitten checked by a vet first.
This allows any health problems to be identified and immediate action taken before they become serious.

Tip 2: Give high-quality nutrition.
Good food ensures healthy skin. The inner part of the ear consists of skin, good food therefore reduces the risk of ear infections. In case of recurring ear infections, there is a good chance that your dog is hypersensitive to certain food ingredients.

Tip 3: Give a preventive flea treatment.
Dogs that are hypersensitive to fleas get itchy bumps that the dog will then scratch, lick or bite. This damages the skin, which can lead to an ear infection. When treating fleas, make sure you also treat the dog's environment properly.

Tip 4: Maintain your dog's ears properly.
If your dog suffers from a lot of earwax, you can clean the ears weekly or every other week with a mild ear cleaner. To do this, use an ear cleaner specially designed for dogs. Never use a cotton swab. With this, there is a chance that you will only push the earwax deeper into the ear and that, if your dog moves unexpectedly, you will even damage the ear.

If your dog has clean ears, do not touch them too much. By doing so, you can cause irritation or trigger the production of too much earwax. In addition, make sure the ears are always dried well after they have been in contact with water (such as when washing or swimming).

What should I do if my dog has an (incipient) ear infection?

Do you suspect your dog has an ear infection? Then always take your dog to the vet. The vet will check that the ear infection has not spread to the middle ear. A middle ear infection is very painful and will throw your dog completely off balance. A severe ear infection requires treatment with antibiotics.

After reading this article, do you suspect that your dog has ear infections because of a food allergy?

We have several products in our range for skin/coat problems in dogs. Not sure what the best product is for your dog? Then feel free to contact us. We will give you personal advice on the best food for your dog.