Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections & Problems

Dogs use their ears to explore the world around them, but ear infections and other ear issues can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. While some issues may start with mild itching or head shaking, others can progress and affect your dog’s balance, hearing and overall well-being.

Knowing what signs to watch for and when to seek veterinary care can help your dog get the treatment they need and return to feeling their best.

Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections & Problems

So, how can you tell if your dog has an ear infection? Dog ear infection symptoms can range from mild irritation to more serious neurologic signs. Recognizing the early warning signs of an ear infection in dogs can help prevent discomfort and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Common Signs¹

• Head shaking. Dogs with ear discomfort often shake their heads repeatedly in an attempt to relieve irritation or remove debris from the ear canal.  
• Scratching or pawing at the ears. Frequent scratching, pawing at the face or rubbing the ears on furniture or carpet may indicate pain or inflammation or that your dog has itching inside the ear.  
• Redness and swelling of the ear flap or canal. Inflamed ears may appear red, warm, swollen or tender. In some dogs, the ear flap may become thickened over time from chronic inflammation.  
• Dark discharge (brown, yellow, black, bloody). Abnormal discharge is a common sign of infection. The color and consistency can vary depending on the underlying cause.
• Unusual odor (yeasty, foul, “corn chip like”). A strong or unpleasant smell from the ears is often one of the first signs owners notice.
• Crusting or scabs inside or around the ear. Skin irritation can lead to crusting, scabs, hair loss or thickened skin around the ear opening or on the ear flap itself.  
• Pain or sensitivity when touching the ear. Some dogs may pull away, cry out, resist handling or become defensive when their ears are touched because of discomfort or pain.

Signs of a More Severe or Inner Ear Infection

• Head tilting. A persistent tilt of the head can occur when infection or inflammation affects the deeper structures of the ear responsible for balance.  
• Loss of balance or coordination (ataxia). Dogs with inner ear involvement may appear unsteady, stumble, lean or have difficulty walking normally.  
• Circling. Some dogs may walk in circles or seem disoriented due to problems affecting the vestibular system within the inner ear.  
• Unusual eye movements (nystagmus). Rapid, involuntary eye movements may develop with severe inner ear disease and are often accompanied by dizziness or balance problems.  
• Facial nerve issues (drooping eyelid or lip). Inflammation near the nerves surrounding the ear can sometimes cause facial weakness, drooping or changes in blinking ability.  
• Partial or complete deafness. Severe inflammation, swelling or chronic disease may interfere with hearing and can sometimes lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.  
• Changes in behavior (lethargy, irritability). Dogs in pain may become less active, withdrawn, restless or more irritable than usual. Some dogs that are sick or have an infection may also lose interest in eating or interacting with family members.

When to See a Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian if your dog has itchy ears or you notice any of these other signs of a dog ear infection:

• Head tilt or balance problems
• Persistent scratching or shaking
• Severe pain or sensitivity
• Strong odor or thick discharge
• Symptoms in puppies, which can worsen quickly

Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog develops any of the following signs, because they may indicate severe inner ear disease, trauma, a ruptured eardrum or neurologic involvement:

• Bleeding from the ear canal  
• Extreme pain or sensitivity  
• Facial drooping or facial movement changes  
• Persistent head tilt or circling
• Rapid eye movements (nystagmus)  
• Severe swelling of the ear  
• Sudden balance problems or inability to stand or walk normally  
• Sudden hearing loss or deafness

What to Expect at the Veterinarian

Diagnosing ear problems in dogs involves more than simply looking inside the ear. Because many different conditions can cause similar symptoms to those of a dog ear infection, identifying the underlying cause is important for selecting the right treatment and helping prevent the problem from returning.

A proper diagnosis usually starts with a physical examination and an otoscopic exam. Using an otoscope, your veterinarian looks deep inside the ear canal to check for:

• Redness and inflammation  
• Discharge or excessive wax  
• Debris or foreign material  
• Swelling or narrowing of the ear canal  
• Growths or masses  
• Signs of a ruptured or damaged eardrum

Because dogs with painful ears may resist handling, sedation may sometimes be recommended to allow for a thorough and safe examination, especially in severe or chronic cases.

Your veterinarian may also perform ear cytology, which involves examining a sample of ear debris under a microscope. This helps identify whether yeast, bacteria or ear mites are present and can guide treatment decisions.

In chronic, severe or recurrent infections, your veterinarian may recommend a bacterial culture and sensitivity test. This test identifies the specific bacteria present and determines which medications are most likely to be effective, particularly if resistant infections are suspected. Additional testing may sometimes be recommended, especially if ear infections keep returning.

Breeds Prone to Ear Issues^1,2

Certain dog breeds are more prone to ear infections and chronic ear disease because of narrow ear canals (like Bulldogs, Chinese Shar-Pei and Pugs) or excess hair within the ear canal (such as Doodles and Poodles). Those with increased wax production, allergies or skin disease tendencies may also be more at risk.

Dogs with floppy, pendulous or V-shaped drop ears (like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels) are generally at greater risk of ear disease than dogs with erect ears because moisture and debris can become trapped more easily within the ear canal. Other breeds (including Boxers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) have genetic predispositions for dog ear issues.

How Your Veterinarian Can Help Your Dog’s Ear Infection Symptoms

Many dog ear problems can look similar at home, which is why an accurate diagnosis is so important. From infections and allergies to ear mites and other underlying conditions, identifying the cause helps guide the most effective treatment plan.

If you notice changes in your dog’s ears, behavior, balance or hearing, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Your veterinarian can evaluate your dog’s symptoms, recommend appropriate testing if needed and help develop a treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs.

For more expert tips on dog health, explore our other dog skin, fur and ear articles.

Nutrition Science sourced from the Purina Institute.  

References

1. Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2012:741-767.

2. O’Neill DG, et al. Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK – a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Med Genet. 2021;8(7).