Why Do My Dogs’ Ears Smell All The Time?

Have you ever wondered why your dog’s ears smell? It could be that you intentionally smelt that (we’ve all done it) or you were cuddling your dog and noticed that they didn’t smell very nice.

This can be a very common experience but if you notice that your dog’s ears always smell, then there could be a sign that you need to have their ears checked out by an expert veterinarian. 

According to the dog experts at miniaturefriends.com, there can be several reasons for why your dogs ears may smell:

Built Up Wax Over Time

Dogs will build up earwax just like humans do and it’s a very common issue that most dogs encounter, however, for some, this can cause irritation, so it’s worth having a look at their ears if you do notice your dog scratching or trying to rub their ears against the floor.

We suggest cleaning your dogs each every few weeks to avoid wax build up.

Ear Infections

Ear infections, whether caused by bacteria or yeast should always be looked at by a veterinarian and shouldn’t ever be diagnosed or treated yourself. You shouldn’t try and clean your dog’s ears if you suspect the problem to be a bacterial infection, as this could cause further irritation and complications.

Bacterial ear infections are certainly the most difficult to treat and usually cause more severe symptoms.

Below are some of the symptoms your dog may experience if they have a bacterial infection:

• Redness in and around the ear
• Swelling
• Pain
• Irritation
• Discharge from the ear

If you suspect an infection, you should consult a veterinarian and they will be able to perform a cytology to confirm the presence of bacteria. If confirmed, your vet will be able to prescribe antibiotic ear drops for minor cases, however, if severe, your dog may need oral steroids to reduce the swelling and the pain.

If you dog has a mixed ear infection, which is a combination of both yeast and bacteria, they may have slightly different symptoms, including:

• Uncoordinated control of their body
• Off-balance and struggling to maintain posture
• Your dog may turn in circles

If your dog has any of the above symptoms, you should seek advice from a vet as soon as possible.

Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

Dogs are able to clean their ears themselves and have a mechanism that does this for them, so you shouldn’t need to clean their ears yourself very often. 

Cleaning your dogs ears to much can cause further irritation and will disrupt the process, so you should only clean their ears if the following applies:

• Their ears are visibility dirty and have a build-up of dirt
• Your veterinarian suggested that you clean their ears
• They recently went swimming or had a bath

You should only clean your dog’s ears with solutions that are specifically designed for dogs, do not use human shampoo. 

Below are some of the ingredients to avoid:

• Alcohol
• Vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide

If you have any questions regarding your dog’s ears, or your dog is having symptoms, you should consult a vet.