How Are Dog Ear Infections Caused?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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While

bacterial infections are the most common cause of ear infections in dogs, yeast, ear mites, and fungus

can all cause your dog’s ears to become infected and uncomfortable. Other causes of dog ear infections include foreign objects lodged in the ear, trauma, and tumors or polyps.

What foods cause ear infections in dogs?


An excess of grain and/or sugar

in the diet is a common causes of ear infections in dogs. Sugar feeds the yeast already in the body and causes an overgrowth, which results in the dark, yeasty-smelling buildup inside the ears.

Do dog ear infections go away?


In most cases, a dog’s ear infection will not go away on its own

. What’s worse, if you wait too long to treat the ear infection, it can become much more difficult to get under control. An untreated ear infection can lead to chronic issues, hearing loss, and sometimes the need for expensive surgery.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections in one ear?

Ear mites, foreign material such as grass awns and by far and away the most common is

food allergies

. Food allergies are one of the most common causes of recurrent ear infections in dogs. Food allergies in pets appear much differently than in humans and result in inflammation, often in the ear and GI tract.

Does chicken give dogs ear infection?

Dogs that suffer from allergies, either environmental, such as pollens (grasses, trees and weeds), dust mites, molds or food (beef, chicken, fish, soy, etc.) are predisposed to ear infections.

What does a dog ear infection smell like?

These types of ear infections usually involve more than one type of bacteria. These bacteria can cause ears to smell

sweet like grapes or caramel or rancid like rotten chicken or bad breath

. Dogs with bacterial infections in their ears may rub their ears on the ground or on furniture to relieve itchiness.

Can wet dog food cause ear infections?

This

extra moisture and wet, damp environment encourage pesky microorganisms to grow in the ear canal, which can then lead to infection

. Dogs that already suffer from food or environmental allergies can be more prone to ear infections.

Do ear infections hurt dogs?


Ear infections are painful

. Many dogs will shake their head and scratch their ears trying to relieve the discomfort. The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs.

What is the brown stuff in my dog’s ears?

A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an

ear infection

, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming (which can leave too much moisture in the ears), or other problems.

How often should you clean dog ears?

Wondering how often your dog’s ears need to be cleaned? In general,

once per month

is a good rule of thumb. Breeds with long, floppy ears or dogs who swim frequently may need to have their ears cleaned every other week, or even weekly. After bathing or swimming, be sure to properly dry your pup’s ears.

Why wont my dogs ear infection go away?

There can be many reasons your dog continues to get recurrent ear infections.

The most common cause is allergies, which are usually caused by food or environmental allergies

. But we’ll focus on those later. Endocrine (hormonal) disease can also be a trigger for recurrent otitis.

Can Dog Ear infection spread to humans?

Are ear infections in dogs contagious for humans or other pets?

Ear infections are not contagious for humans or other pets

.

How do I clean my dog’s ears if they are infected?

To clean the ears, tilt your dog’s head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside.

Can Rice cause ear infections in dogs?

Causes of Rice Allergies in Dogs

Every dog’s nutritional requirement of grains, including rice, varies. Some dogs need grains to have a healthy coat and skin,

another dog might get an ear infection every time he has grains

, or another may require grains in his diet to keep him at a healthy weight.

Does yogurt help with dog ear infections?

Greek yogurt is particularly helpful for dogs taking antibiotics, which kill off some of the good bacteria in a dog’s gut.

The probiotics in Greek yogurt also fight yeast infections, which can help dogs with recurring ear or skin infections

.

Is my dog’s ear dirty or infected?

How do you know if your dog has an ear infection? If your dog has an ear infection,

most likely you’ll see it shaking its head and scratching its ears, and you may notice a foul odor and discharge coming from its ears

.

Can I clean my dog’s ear with hydrogen peroxide?

You will need a gentle ear cleaning solution and gauze squares or cotton balls.

We do not recommend the use of cotton swabs, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog’s ears

. These products can cause inflammation to the ear canal and may worsen an ear infection.

Why is my dog’s ear red and stinky?


An ear infection (otitis externa)

is one of the most frequently diagnosed medical conditions in pets—especially dogs with floppy ears. Signs of an ear infection can include scratching at the ears, head shaking, ears that are red and/or painful to the touch, an unpleasant smell or a dirty discharge inside the ear.

Can carrots cause ear infections in dogs?

The symptoms of an allergy to carrots could include: Bald patches. Biting of paws.

Chronic ear infections

.

Can ear infections lead to death?

The ear can provide pathways for disease to attack the brain, positioned only a few millimeters from the middle ear. While

a fatal ear infection is a rare event

, especially when treated with the complete arsenal of modern medicine, other serious complications are possible, from extreme pain to deafness.

How much does it cost to treat a dog ear infection?

The cost of ear infection treatment varies depending on your location and veterinary practice — but otitis externa treatments, which usually include the exam, ear cleaning and medicine, typically cost

between $100 and $175

. Suppose the infection spreads to the internal part of your dog’s ear.

How can you clean a dog’s ears?


Squeeze a veterinarian-approved ear-cleaning solution to fill your dog’s ear canal and massage gently at the base of the ear for about 30 seconds

. You will hear a squishing sound as the product dislodges debris and buildup. Don’t let the tip of the applicator touch your dog’s ear, as this can introduce bacteria.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.