Your dog has been shaking its head all morning. It keeps scratching at one ear, and something smells off when it leans in for a cuddle.
Ear problems are a top reason dogs visit the vet, and most dogs show clear warning signs first. You just need to know what to look for.
This guide covers the key signs, a gentle at-home ear check, and when to call your vet.
One important note: only a vet can diagnose an ear infection. The signs below are clues, not a diagnosis. Use them to decide when your dog needs professional care.
Why Some Dogs Get Ear Infections More Often
A dog’s ear canal is shaped like the letter L. This shape traps warmth and moisture deep inside, where yeast and bacteria love to grow.
Some dogs are more prone to ear trouble. Floppy-eared breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds get less airflow in their ears. Dogs that swim or get bathed often may hold moisture in the ear. Dogs with skin allergies are also at higher risk, because the same inflammation that bothers their skin can bother their ears too.
If your dog is in one of these groups, regular ear checks help you catch problems early.
Sign 1: Constant Head Shaking
Repeated head shaking is one of the earliest signs of an ear problem. A shake or two a day is normal. Shaking several times an hour, or shaking so hard the ears flap loudly, is not.
Dogs shake their heads to clear out whatever feels wrong: itching, a feeling of fullness, or mild pain. Note the pattern. Does it happen after meals, playing outside, or baths? When did it start? These details help your vet later.
For more on frequent shaking, read our guide on why your dog keeps shaking its head and what it could mean.
Sign 2: Scratching or Pawing at the Ears
A dog with an uncomfortable ear will scratch at it with a back paw or rub the side of its head along the floor, the couch, or your leg. Some dogs tilt their head to one side and walk around like that.
This scratching is different from an occasional itch. It is repeated, focused, and often aimed at just one ear. You might hear soft whimpering while your dog scratches, which suggests the ear feels sore as well as itchy.
Check for redness around the ear: the flap and the area behind it may look pink or raw. Hard scratching can even cause a swollen, puffy ear flap, which needs prompt vet attention.
If your dog is scratching all over, not just the ears, fleas may be the real issue. Our article on the signs your dog has fleas and how to handle them can help you check for that.
Sign 3: A Bad Smell Coming From the Ears
Healthy dog ears have little to no smell. An ear that smells strong, sour, or musty is one of the clearest warning signs that something is wrong.
Many owners notice the smell first, often when the dog rests its head on their lap. If a bad odor follows your dog’s head, take a look at the ears.
A strong odor often goes with a buildup of waxy or dark discharge, caused by an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. Do not try to mask the smell with sprays or powders. They will not fix the underlying issue and may irritate the ear further.
Sign 4: Redness and Swelling Inside the Ear
Gently lift your dog’s ear flap and look at the skin inside. Healthy ear skin is pale pink and calm. Skin that is bright red, dark pink, or visibly swollen may be inflamed.
It can appear in one ear or both, on the outer flap or deep in the canal, sometimes with small bumps, scabs, or crusty patches from ongoing irritation. If the flap feels hot compared to the other ear, that warmth is another clue.
If your dog pulls away, flinches, or snaps when you lift the ear, do not force it. Pain when touched is itself a sign — just tell your vet.
Sign 5: Discharge or Wax Buildup
A little earwax is normal. Normal wax is light brown and not too heavy. Watch for a change: much more wax than usual, or discharge that looks different from your dog’s normal wax.
Problem discharge can look yellow, dark brown, greenish, or even bloody. It may be thick and pasty or thin and watery. You might see it coating the inside of the ear flap or find crusty bits around the ear opening.
Never dig deep into the ear canal yourself. The canal is delicate, and going too deep can push debris further in or injure the eardrum. Your vet has the right tools to examine it safely.
Sign 6: Tilting the Head to One Side
A quick, playful head tilt when you talk to your dog is normal. A tilt that stays put, especially always toward the same ear, is not.
A lasting tilt can mean that ear hurts or feels blocked, or point to a deeper middle- or inner-ear problem that can affect balance. If your dog tilts its head and also stumbles, walks in circles, or has trouble standing straight, contact your vet right away.
A persistent head tilt deserves a professional opinion, not a wait-and-see approach.
Sign 7: Pain or Sensitivity Around the Ears
Dogs hide pain well, but ear pain is hard to hide. Watch for yelping or flinching when you pet your dog’s head. Some dogs duck away when you reach for their ears. Others may growl or snap when the sore ear is touched, even if they are normally gentle.
You might also notice less playfulness, more sleeping, or a drop in appetite. Ear pain can make chewing uncomfortable, so some dogs eat slowly or drop food from the painful side.
Do not press around the ear to find the sore spot. Visible pain is reason enough to call the vet.
Sign 8: Changes in Behavior
A dog in discomfort often acts differently. Your cheerful dog may seem grumpy, withdrawn, or restless. It may pace, struggle to settle down, or keep getting up to scratch.
Some dogs become clingy; others want to be left alone. Less interest in walks and a dull, tired look can also go with ongoing ear discomfort.
Behavior changes alone do not prove an ear infection. But combined with one or two of the signs above, they paint a clearer picture. Trust your instincts. If your dog just does not seem like itself, a checkup is never the wrong choice.
How to Do a Gentle At-Home Ear Check
A quick ear check once a week takes two minutes and helps you catch problems early:
Pick a calm moment. Check when your dog is relaxed, like after a walk. Never check ears when your dog is excited, scared, or in pain.
Use good light. Sit near a window or lamp so you can see the outer ear clearly. You only need to look at what is visible.
Lift the flap gently. Fold the ear flap back and look at the inner surface and canal opening for redness, swelling, extra wax, discharge, scabs, or bad smell.
Compare both ears. If one ear looks or smells different from the other, that difference is worth noting. Many ear problems start in just one ear.
Check after water exposure. After swimming or baths, do a quick check and gently dry the outer ear with a soft towel. Trapped moisture is a common trigger.
Write down what you see. “October 9, right ear redder than left, mild smell” is exactly the kind of note a vet appreciates.
For step-by-step routine ear hygiene, see our article on cleaning your dog’s ears safely at home. An at-home check is an early warning system, not a diagnosis.
What NOT to Do
Do not put anything deep into the ear canal. No cotton swabs, fingers, or tweezers. The L-shaped canal is delicate, and objects pushed inside can pack debris deeper, scratch the skin, or damage the eardrum.
Do not use home remedies from the internet. Vinegar, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils can burn already-inflamed skin and cause real pain.
Do not use leftover ear drops or medications. Drops prescribed for a past problem, or for another pet, may be wrong for this situation and can mask symptoms your vet needs to see.
Do not flood the ear with water. Trying to “rinse out” the ear traps moisture deep in the canal, which is one of the things that causes infections.
Do not ignore it and hope it goes away. Mild irritation sometimes settles on its own, but true infections rarely clear without treatment. Waiting can let a simple outer-ear problem spread deeper, where it becomes more painful and harder to treat.
Do not assume it is “just wax.” Heavy wax and infection can look similar. If wax keeps coming back quickly, or comes with odor, redness, or pain, let your vet decide what it is.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Head shaking or ear scratching lasting more than a day or two
- A strong, unpleasant smell from one or both ears
- Redness, swelling, or discharge inside the ear
- Crying, flinching, or snapping when the ear is touched
- A head tilt that does not go away
- Balance problems, stumbling, or walking in circles
- A swollen, puffy ear flap
- Loss of appetite or unusual tiredness with ear symptoms
- Any ear symptom in a puppy, a senior dog, or a dog with a weakened immune system
Treat balance problems, severe pain, or a badly swollen ear flap as urgent. When in doubt, call your vet’s office, describe what you see, and let them decide whether your dog needs to come in today.
Your vet will examine the ear with a special instrument and may take a small sample to find the cause, so skip home treatments beforehand. Afterward, follow instructions exactly and finish the full course of treatment — stopping early is a common reason ear problems come back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell the difference between dirty ears and an ear infection?
Normal earwax is light brown, not too heavy, and has little smell, and your dog will not be scratching or in pain. An infected ear usually brings extra signs: bad odor, redness, swelling, heavy or oddly colored discharge, and discomfort. When several signs appear together, see your vet rather than just cleaning.
Are some dog breeds more likely to get ear infections?
Yes. Dogs with long, floppy ears that block airflow, such as Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, tend to get more ear infections. Dogs with hairy inner ears like Poodles, dogs with allergies, and dogs that swim often are also at higher risk. Weekly ear checks are especially worthwhile for these dogs.
Can I prevent ear infections in my dog?
You cannot prevent every ear infection, but you can lower the risk. Keep ears clean and dry, especially after swimming or baths. Manage allergies with your vet’s help, since allergies are a common trigger. Do gentle weekly ear checks, avoid over-cleaning, and never put harsh products inside the canal.
Will my dog’s ear infection go away on its own?
Mild irritation sometimes settles by itself, but a true infection usually needs veterinary treatment to fully clear. Waiting can let it spread to the middle or inner ear, where it becomes more painful and harder to treat. If symptoms last more than a day or two, see your vet.
Is a dog ear infection contagious to other pets or people?
Most dog ear infections are not contagious to people or other pets. They usually come from an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria already living on your dog’s skin. The exception is ear mites, tiny parasites that can spread between animals. Your vet can tell the difference with a simple test.
A Final Word
Learning how to tell if your dog has an ear infection is one of the most useful skills a dog owner can have. Your dog cannot say its ear hurts, but it shows you in small ways: the head shake, the scratch, the tilt, the smell, the flinch when you touch the wrong spot.
You do not need to become a vet — just be a good observer. Check the ears regularly, note changes early, resist the urge to treat it yourself, and let your vet do the diagnosing. Caught early, most ear problems clear up quickly.
Your dog trusts you to notice when something is wrong. Now you know exactly what to look for.