Why Do My Dogs Ears Smell?

By :Barbara Rivers 0 comments

A dog has sensitive ears that are really its own unique environment. It is important for dog owners to regularly assess their dog’s health and ears. A smelly dogs ear could be an indication that something is wrong.

The answer to the question "Why do my dog's ears stink" can be complex. Make an appointment with your vet and follow the below steps to figure out the cause of the smell and reliable treatment solutions.

Why Does My Dog's Ear Smell?

The shape and form of a dog's ears make it easy for harmful bacteria, water and other debris to get caught on the natural structural coverings, called the pinna, that most dogs have over their ears.

A warm, moist and enclosed environment like this is a perfect petri dish for infections from harmful pathogens like viruses, bacteria and mould/yeast spores.

An odour in dogs ears could indicate an infection or other common problem, and it's crucial to quickly investigate why your dog's ears stink to ensure the health and well-being of your loyal furry friend.

Factors That Contribute to Smelly Dog Ears

There are several factors that could contribute to smelly dog ears. It is necessary to consider these factors to rule them out or in on the final assessment conclusion needed to determine the appropriate course of action and/or treatment.

These factors include:

Dirty Ears
Injury to the Ear
Inflammation of the Ear
Excess Wax Buildup in the Ear
Foreign Object Inside the Ear
Ear Infection
Ear Mites
Allergies that can lead to infection

Does a Smelly Ear Mean Infection?

In most cases, the cause of a dog's smelly ear is some type of infection. However, it is important to look for any additional factors that could have been the underlying factor that resulted in an eventual infection. Mites, debris or dirt can cause your dog to scratch, breaking the skin.

This can set the environment up for infection since any surface bacteria normally found on every surface will have an opening to enter the body. A festering injury or wound from a fight can also contribute to the development of an ear infection.

Most dogs will suffer from ear infections now and again, and even puppy ears stink on occasion. Keeping your dog's ears clean and checking them regularly can help prevent serious infections. Always consult with your vet if your dog has smelly ears.

What Does a Dog's Ear Infection Smell Like?

Ear infection in a dog can smell like sweet grapes, caramel, rancid garbage and rotten meat if the infection is caused by one or several species of bacteria.

A doughy or yeasty smell may be noticed if your dog develops a yeast ear infection. Some dog owners even think the ear smells like beer in which yeast is present!

However, it's also possible to have stinky dog ears with no infection present. This is usually caused by allergies. Some allergies give the ears a sweet caramel type of odour or a smell similar to rancid cheese if the allergies develop into a bacterial infection.

Ear mites cause extreme itchiness that causes the dog to scratch the area a lot. There may be a buildup of black debris in the ear that smells like old trash but not necessary like rotting food or other bacterial smell.

How to Treat Smelly Dog Ears?

Why Do My Dogs Ears Smell_The Healthy Dog Co

Since most cases of smelly dog ears do end up being an infection, always contact your veterinarian to be safe. If ear mites are suspected, there are treatments that can help rid them of your pet. If your dog has an ear injury, be sure to keep the ear area clean and dry.

If ear wax buildup is present, this could be the cause of the foul odour. Dirty ears and wax buildup will usually resolve themselves in a few days. It may help to gently clean your dog's ear with an approved product. If the odour or other ear symptoms persist, a visit to the vet is recommended.

Food and seasonal allergies are often an underlying cause of ear odour and a secondary bacterial infection could develop. Dogs naturally produce both yeast and bacteria in their ears. Some dog breeds have longer droopy ears that can make them more prone to ear problems and ear infections.

How Can I Treat My Dogs Ear Infection at Home?

Taking proper care of your dog's ears should be a part of the usual hygiene process. It's important to keep the ear area clean of debris and dirt. Always keep your dog's ears dry after cleansing or swimming.

Dog owners can find relief in our gentle ear drops for dogs that can help cleanse the ear and loosen any wax buildup at the same time. This treatment can be done at home. This product has been recommended by veterinarians and dog groomers.

The mild solution can also help ease red, inflamed or itching ears soothing your pet. This is an all-natural ear cleaning product that also helps keep normal yeast and bacteria populations in a healthy balance. The natural ear cleaner for dogs also helps eliminate mites.

Care for Your Dogs Ears With our Natural Dog Ear Cleaner

Conclusion

If you have asked yourself, "why do my dog's ears stink really bad," you are not alone. Smelly dogs ear cases are common pet owner complaints. Keeping your dog's ears clean using a vet-approved product, inspecting ears regularly and consulting your vet for ear-related problems can help keep your pooch healthy and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions: Why do dogs' ears stink?

Can I put peroxide in my dog's ear?

No, hydrogen peroxide shouldn't be used in your dog's ear unless given the green light by your veterinarian. Peroxide does contain antiseptic properties but the use of peroxide can upset the normal delicate balance of microorganisms including some bacteria and yeast.

This can result in more ear troubles. If swallowed, too much peroxide can harm your pet. Peroxide will only irritate the delicate skin and membranes inside of a dog's ear.

Can I use vinegar to clean my dog's ears?

Vinegar is also not recommended to clean out a dog's ears. Even with the recommended water dilution to vinegar ration, it can be irritating and drying to sensitive skin and membranes found in the ear of a dog.

In addition, it can be hard to keep this solution out of your pet's eyes which can sting. Vinegar can do tremendous ear damage if the ear membrane ruptures as it sometimes can with serious bacterial infections.

Can I use baby wipes to clean my dog's ears?

No, most baby wipes contain propylene glycol which can be dangerous for pets if licked. Other ingredients in the wipes disrupt the normal pH balance in dogs.

What are the best ear drops for dogs?

Most veterinarians will recommend a gentle ear cleansing solution made for dogs, such as ours. This is nice to have on hand when needed.

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