Why your dog keeps getting ear infections (the honest version)
Naja Yehia
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Honest Guides · Dog Health
Dog Ear Infections, Honestly Explained
Tuesday: bath, tidy, blow dry. Friday: a photo of a red, smelly, sore ear and the unspoken question.
01
How a dog's ear is actually built
Before you can understand why dogs get ear infections, you have to understand what makes their ears different from yours. Tap any number on the diagram below.
Tap any number to see what it is and why it matters.
1
The ear flap (pinna)
The outer flap of the ear. In floppy eared breeds (most spaniels, retrievers, hounds, oodle crosses) the pinna sits down over the canal opening, trapping warmth and moisture. In erect eared breeds (border collies, huskies, chihuahuas) the pinna stands up and lets air flow freely. This is the single biggest difference between high and low risk breeds.
2
The canal opening
Where the visible canal begins. This is the only part you should ever clean directly. Anything deeper than this and you are risking damage to the eardrum or pushing debris further in. If you can see it from outside, it is fair game for a cotton wool wipe. If you cannot, leave it alone.
3
The L shaped bend
Unlike a human ear canal which is roughly straight, a dog's canal makes a sharp turn from vertical to horizontal. Gravity cannot drain water, wax, or debris on its own. The dog has to physically shake them out, or they sit at the bottom of the L and ferment. This is the structural reason dogs get ear infections so much more often than humans.
4
Wax glands and hair
The canal lining is dense with wax (ceruminous) glands and oil (sebaceous) glands, plus a layer of hair. In a healthy ear this is a clever self cleaning system, the wax moves outward carrying debris with it. In an inflamed or allergic ear, the glands go into overdrive and the canal becomes a feeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
5
The eardrum
A thin membrane at the end of the horizontal canal. When the eardrum is intact, infections stay in the outer canal and are usually treatable with drops. When it perforates from chronic inflammation or a grass seed, the infection can move into the middle ear, which is far harder to treat and can cause balance issues and hearing loss.
A dog's ear is not a passive tube. It is warm, moist, glandular skin folded into a one way trap, and that is true whether the ears are floppy or erect.
02
Quick symptom check
Catching an ear infection in the first 48 hours can be the difference between a single course of drops and a chronic case that takes months to resolve. Tap any symptoms you have noticed in your dog. The result updates as you go.
symptoms selected
No symptoms reported
Tap any symptoms above to see what they likely mean and what to do next.
Keep an eye on the ear
A single mild sign on its own is often passing irritation rather than infection. Watch the ear closely for the next 24 to 48 hours. If a yeasty smell, redness, or discharge develops, or if more signs appear, book a vet visit this week.
Watch closely and check daily
Two mild signs together is worth taking seriously. It is often the very early stage of an infection, when treatment is simplest. Check the ear daily, and if any sign worsens or a smell or discharge appears, book a vet visit this week rather than waiting it out.
Book a vet visit this week
Three or more signs together is a strong pattern for an active ear infection. The earlier this is treated the simpler it is. A first time, uncomplicated infection is usually resolved with one course of medicated drops over 7 to 14 days. Do not start cleaning or trying home remedies until the vet has examined the ear, the wrong product on a ruptured eardrum can cause permanent damage.
Book a vet visit today
You have ticked at least one urgent sign. Head tilt can mean middle ear involvement. Sudden pain can mean a ruptured eardrum or foreign body. A flare within 48 hours of long grass is a classic grass seed presentation, and those seeds travel one way only. Do not start cleaning or trying home remedies until the vet has examined the ear, the wrong product on a ruptured eardrum can cause permanent damage.
03
Find your dog's risk profile
The biggest study ever done on this followed 22,333 UK dogs in primary care for a year. 7.3 percent developed an ear infection in that single year, making it the most common medical issue in dogs full stop. Here is where your dog sits.
Pick your dog's ear shape
4.52.20.3×
Risk vs an average crossbreed
Chihuahua 0.20×
Your dog
Basset Hound 5.87×
Lowest riskHighest risk
High risk profile
Floppy ears physically cover the canal opening, trapping warmth, moisture, and reducing airflow. Combined with the L shaped canal underneath, this creates near perfect conditions for yeast and bacteria to overgrow. These dogs benefit from weekly ear checks and careful drying after any wet activity. If there is also any sign of skin allergy (paw licking, itchy belly, frequent infections), that underlying issue is the real lever to pull.
Moderate to high risk
The ear flap is shorter and more open than fully floppy breeds, but it still covers the canal opening to a significant degree. Active swimmers and dogs with skin allergies in this category benefit from a weekly maintenance routine with a drying cleaner. This is the most common ear shape on the Australian east coast thanks to the oodle cross boom, and also the most common ear infection profile we see.
Low risk profile
Erect ears allow constant airflow into the canal, keeping it dry and well ventilated. These dogs rarely develop ear infections unless there is a significant underlying issue (severe allergies, a deep foreign body, or a mass). Routine cleaning is usually unnecessary. If your erect eared dog develops a sudden ear infection, take it seriously, it almost always means something else is going on.
Important nuance
Ear shape is a predisposing factor, not a cause. It makes the environment more friendly to infection. It does not, on its own, cause one. A floppy eared dog with no underlying skin or allergy issue can go a lifetime without a single ear infection. We see this every week.
04
The groomer myth, said plainly
A bath does not cause an ear infection in a dog with healthy ears. Almost every flare blamed on the groomer was actually triggered by one of these six things, and the trigger is never the cause.
💧
WaterBath, swim, rain, humid air
🥩
DietNew food, treats, scraps
🌡️
EnvironmentHeat, cold, humidity, dust
😰
StressKennel, visitors, schedule
🌿
AllergensPollen, dust mites, fleas
✂️
The groomBath, dryer, plucking
Things groomers can occasionally get wrong
In the interest of being honest in both directions, here is the short list. None of these will cause an infection in a dog with healthy ears, but they are worth knowing about.
✂️✕
Plucking ear hair when there is no infection
Tap to read more
+
Modern veterinary dermatology consensus is to leave ear hair alone unless it is a clinical problem. Plucking creates microscopic tears that can light up an already inflamed ear.
💨✕
Forced air drying directly into the canal
Tap to read more
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A good groomer angles airflow across the ear, not into it. High pressure air aimed straight down the canal stirs up debris and can be uncomfortable.
🧪✕
High alcohol or homemade ear cleaner
Tap to read more
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Alcohol heavy products dry the canal too aggressively and strip the natural protective oils. Reputable salons use vet recommended cleaners only.
👂✕
Cotton tips pushed deep into the canal
Tap to read more
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No professional groomer should be doing this. It pushes wax deeper and can cause damage. Cotton wool on the visible part of the ear flap only.
05
What actually causes ear infections
Veterinary dermatologists divide the causes into four tiers. Knowing which tier you are dealing with is the difference between treating a symptom and actually fixing the problem.
Tap any stage to read more about it
The disease driving inflammation
Most often allergies (atopic dermatitis or food allergy), behind 43 to 75 percent of recurring cases. Also mites (mainly puppies), grass seeds (Australian summers), thyroid disease, and autoimmune conditions. This is the layer everyone skips, and it is the answer to recurring infections.
Things that raise the risk
Factors that make the ear more vulnerable but do not cause infection on their own. Floppy ear shape, narrow canals (common in shar pei), excess hair in the canal, frequent swimming, high humidity. A healthy ear with all these factors can still go a lifetime infection free.
The visible flare you can see and smell
The actual bacteria and yeast overgrowth. Yeast (Malassezia) gives the sweet musty smell. Bacterial (Staph, Pseudomonas) often gives a more pungent or pus like discharge. This is the layer ear drops target, and treating only this is why infections come back.
Why it gets stuck
Changes to the ear itself that keep an infection going even after treatment. Thickened canal walls, scar tissue, ruptured eardrums, biofilms that resist medication. These develop after weeks or months of chronic inflammation. Catching infections early prevents this stage.
The honest takeaway
Three or more ear infections in 12 months means the answer is not stronger drops, it is finding the primary cause. In Australia that means an allergy workup, a thyroid panel for older dogs, and a careful check for grass seeds.
Grass seed alert
Sudden head shaking within 48 hours of walking through long grass is a vet today situation. Spear Grass, Barley Grass, and Wild Oats produce barbed seeds that travel one way only. They do not work themselves out and can perforate the eardrum.
06
Prevention that actually works
Most prevention advice on the internet is either harmless or actively counterproductive. Here is the version we give clients at the salon. Tap any card to flip it and read the detail.
Do this
Do not do this
07
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my dog groomed if they have an ear infection?
It depends on severity. A mild, recently diagnosed infection that is being actively treated is usually fine for a careful groom, with the ear protected and not flushed. A severe, painful, actively flaring infection should wait until the dog has finished treatment. Always tell your groomer in advance. At Dog Love we adjust the bathing approach for any dog with a known ear issue, and we will reschedule rather than aggravate an actively painful ear.
Should I pluck the hair out of my dog's ears?
Modern veterinary dermatology consensus is to leave ear hair alone unless it is causing a clinical problem. Plucking creates microscopic tears in the canal lining, and in an already inflamed ear it can accelerate a flare. The old groomer rule of plucking every dog every visit is outdated.
What is the best ear cleaner for dogs?
For routine maintenance in a healthy dog, vets in Australia commonly recommend Epi Otic Advanced, PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner, or similar pH balanced drying cleaners. For active infections, your vet will prescribe a specific medicated product matched to whether the infection is yeast, bacterial, or both. Avoid anything containing high alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar as a primary ingredient.
How often should I clean my dog's ears?
For a low risk dog with normal ears, almost never. A monthly check is usually enough. For a high risk dog (floppy eared, frequent swimmer, or one that has had a previous infection), once a week with a drying cleaner is reasonable. Daily cleaning is not necessary, even after a swim. Drying the ear surface with cotton wool is enough.
Is swimming bad for my dog's ears?
For a dog with no underlying ear issue, swimming is fine as long as the ears are dried properly afterwards. For a dog with a history of ear infections, swimming is one of the strongest known triggers, and these dogs benefit from a drying ear cleaner used after every swim. The water is a trigger, not a cause.
How much does ear infection treatment cost in Australia?
A first time, uncomplicated ear infection in a general practice clinic in Adelaide typically runs in the range of $150 to $300, including consult, cytology, and medication. A chronic or recurrent case can easily run into the thousands across multiple consults, repeat medications, allergy workups, and possibly specialist referral. This is the financial argument for treating the underlying cause once, properly.
My dog gets an infection every time after grooming. Is the groomer doing something wrong?
Almost certainly not. As covered above, a bath does not cause an ear infection in a dog with healthy ears. If your dog flares every time, your dog has an underlying chronic issue (most often allergies) and the groom is one of several possible triggers. Switching groomers will not fix it. An allergy workup will.
Can ear infections cause permanent damage?
Yes, if untreated or repeatedly mistreated. Chronic inflammation causes the canal walls to thicken and narrow (stenosis). Ruptured eardrums can lead to middle ear involvement, balance issues, and in severe cases hearing loss. Some end stage cases require surgical removal of the ear canal (TECA). All preventable by treating the underlying cause early.
Worried about your dog's ears?
If you are in Adelaide and your dog is overdue for a groom, or if you have noticed early signs and want a second pair of eyes, book a visit. We check ears as part of every appointment and we will tell you honestly what we see.
Research and references
O'Neill DG et al. Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK, a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 2021. RVC VetCompass. · Saridomichelakis MN, Farmaki R, Leontides LS, Koutinas AF. Aetiology of canine otitis externa: a retrospective study of 100 cases. Veterinary Dermatology, 2007. · Paterson S. Discovering the causes of otitis externa. In Practice (BVA), 2002. · Hicks A et al. Epidemiological investigation of grass seed foreign body related disease in dogs of the Riverina District of rural Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 2016. · Koch SN. The Challenge of Chronic Otitis in Dogs. Today's Veterinary Practice, 2022. · Merck Veterinary Manual: Otitis Externa in Animals.
