Reasons Behind Your Dog's Odorous Ears, as Explained by Veterinarian Tierra Price, DVM & Reviewed by Catherine Barnette, DVM, Updated on 05/16/2023.
Dog owners often notice a foul smell emanating from their pets' ears, which can be a cause for concern. This article aims to shed light on the common causes of smelly dog ears and potential solutions.
Bacterial Infections
One of the most common causes of smelly dog ears is bacterial infections. These infections often occur when moisture is trapped in the ear canal, from injury or wax buildup, creating an environment where bacteria thrive. Such infections typically cause foul odors, redness, swelling, and discharge.
Yeast Overgrowth
Another common cause is yeast overgrowth, particularly by Malassezia. This yeast normally lives in dog ears but can multiply excessively, especially in moist or allergy-prone ears, causing a strong, musty smell along with itching and irritation.
Ear Mites
Tiny parasites known as ear mites are another culprit. These parasites produce dark, crumbly, coffee-ground-like debris with a distinctive bad smell. Dogs with ear mites frequently scratch or shake their heads.
Excessive Ear Wax
While ear wax protects the ear by trapping dirt and microbes, too much wax can lead to irritation and infections, contributing to unpleasant odors.
Other Causes
Foreign bodies, growths, trauma, or allergies can predispose the ear to infections or wax buildup, indirectly causing odor problems.
Veterinary Intervention
A strong or unusual odor from your dog's ears usually indicates an underlying problem, often infection, which should be evaluated by a vet to prevent pain, discomfort, or hearing loss.
Veterinarians may take a swab from a dog's ear to examine under a microscope for mites, bacteria, or yeast. In some cases, radiographs, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary to examine the extent of disease in a dog's ear.
Treatment for smelly dog ears often involves topical treatments containing a steroid to decrease inflammation and itchiness, an antibiotic, and an antifungal to control the infection. Commercial pet ear cleansers have compounds such as cerumenolytics and drying agents that soften and breakdown ear wax, slow the growth of bacteria, decrease secretions, and reduce moisture.
Over-the-counter wound care products can be used to soothe the skin and promote healing in dogs with sores or scabs due to rubbing and scratching.
In cases where previous treatments have not been effective, bacterial cultures may be necessary to choose the most effective antibiotic. In some cases, surgery may be recommended for certain diseases such as chronic ear infections or masses.
Dog breeds such as Bulldogs, Spaniels, Retrievers, Terriers, and Poodles are more likely to have smelly ears than others due to their ear anatomy and susceptibility to allergies. The frequency of dog ear cleaning depends on factors such as the dog's health, history of ear infections, and exposure to water.
Allergies are another common cause of ear infections and odors in dogs, responsible for almost half of ear infection cases.
By understanding the common causes of smelly dog ears, dog owners can take proactive steps to maintain their pets' ear health and prevent unpleasant odors. If you notice a foul smell coming from your dog's ears, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
- A foul smell from a dog's ear might be due to bacterial infections, since these infections thrive in the ear canal when moisture is trapped, causing odors, redness, swelling, and discharge.
- Yeast overgrowth, often by Malassezia, can also cause smelly dog ears, especially in moist or allergy-prone ears, and it is characterized by a strong, musty smell, itching, and irritation.
