Have you ever noticed that your dog’s ears smell? Have you ever wondered why your dog’s ears smell?
If so, your puppy may have problems with his ears. These problems can range from earwax buildup to ear infections.
Find out everything you need to know about smelly ears in dogs, from what causes the odor to tips for cleaning them and preventing ear problems.
Why do my dog’s ears smell?
There are a few reasons why your dog’s ears may smell.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of smelly ears in dogs.
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Earwax buildup— Earwax can build up when the normal self-cleaning process of a dog’s ears is disrupted. Your dog may not seem bothered by this at all. Earwax should be yellow in color.
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Yeast infection—Fungal ear infections are very common and can cause a noticeable odor in your dog’s ears.
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Yeast infections often cause a sweet or musty odor (often described as a “Frito® chip smell”) and may also cause red ears and a brown discharge from the ears.
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Bacterial ear infection–Bacterial ear infections usually cause the most severe symptoms. Don’t clean your dog’s ears at home before taking him to the vet. Certain types of bacteria can make the ears smell even from across the room.
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Ulcers may form in the ear canal, causing increased discharge, fluid, and pain.
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Mixed ear infection—Mixed ear infections (where both bacteria and yeast are present) are common.
How to get rid of dog ear odor
For most dogs, cleaning their ears regularly is the best first step to getting rid of the odor.
Dogs with too much ear hair are prone to smells and ear wax buildup, so it’s a good idea to ask your groomer to remove some of the ear hair.
Do not attempt to clean your dog’s ears yourself if the odor persists or is accompanied by other symptoms associated with an ear infection (redness, head shaking/scratching, pain) as this will prevent you from receiving a proper diagnosis at your vet’s office and may cause your dog further pain.
Be careful and seek veterinary advice on best practices. Ear cleaner.
Dogs with ear infections may have ruptured eardrums (although this is rare), so certain chemicals should not be used for this condition.
Should you clean your dog’s ears?
Dogs have a natural ear cleaning system that helps keep their ears clean, which means you should only clean their ears at home in the following circumstances:
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Your dog’s ears are visibly dirty.
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Your dog is Swimming or bathing (with a veterinarian-approved cleaning agent with a drying agent)
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The vet instructed me to do so while treating the ear infection.
However, some dogs, such as Cocker Spaniels, are known to produce more ear wax than others, so they may need more frequent ear cleaning at home.
A dog’s ears should be cleaned with a solution specially developed for this purpose.
Do not use home ear cleaning methods that contain hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or alcohol as they may irritate the ears or worsen existing problems.
Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your dog’s ears, as this can have the unintended effect of pushing earwax further inside the ear canal.
How to prevent smelly ears in dogs
To keep your dog’s ears healthy, you should check them at least once a week.
This allows you to spot problems early and address them before they become serious issues.
Some signs to look out for include:
Whenever possible, try to keep water out of your dog’s ears and always clean them after bathing or swimming.
Groom your dog regularly and trim his ears, especially if he has too much hair or a history of ear infections.
If your dog suffers from allergies, they may be at risk of having itchy, smelly or infected ears.
Keep your dog on an allergy treatment plan, which can range from special diets to daily medications to monthly injections.
By providing a proper and balanced diet Omega fatty acids will also help keep your dog’s ears as healthy as possible and increase their resistance to allergies.
If your dog suffers from recurring ear infections, talk to your veterinarian about treatments and potential causes.
