My Dog’s Ears Stink

Let’s face it: the life of a pup parent can get a bit smelly from time to time.

If you notice a smelly ear, you shouldn’t ignore it. Take the time to inspect your dog’s ears, so you always know if something changes.

As much as we love them, dogs do tend to be a smelly bunch. Most often, it’s wet or dirty hair or some unkempt teeth that’s got your dog smelling a certain way. From picking up poop and scooping out (less-than-fragrant) food cans to trying to determine what in the world your dog just rolled in, the job of a pet owner should sometimes include a set of nose plugs!

But when the odor comes from their ears, it’s a different matter. Normally, dog ears do not have an odor. But smelly ears are a common problem most pet parents experience. Smelly dog ears are caused by bacteria and yeast that has fermented inside the canal. “A dog’s ear canal is made up of three parts: the external, middle, and inner ear. The external ear—the part of the ear we can see—is called the pinna and protects the inner parts of the ear that house the important structures our dogs use to hear.

Well, no one wants to deal with a full-on ear infection, or the smell that comes with it. So it’s important to know how to clean dog ears and maintain dog ear care to prevent odor from developing in the first place.

Now take a look inside his ears. The skin should be nice and pink with a light coating of pale yellowish wax. A small amount of wax is part of the ear’s self-cleaning system. If the ears look red or have a dark brown or black discharge, or if your dog frequently shakes his head, paws at his ears or rubs them against the carpet or furniture, he needs a visit to the veterinarian to see what’s causing the problem.

Inflammation of any parts of the inner ear in dogs can cause irritation and lead to changes that cause a malodorous smell. Sometimes the smell is foul—like garbage or morning breath. Other times, it may smell pungent like cheese or sweet like caramel.

You should see your veterinarian in order to resolve the smell coming from your dog’s ears. Long-term ear infections can lead to a rupture of the eardrum and consequently a loss of hearing.

Inflammation of any parts of the inner ear in dogs can cause irritation and lead to changes that cause a malodorous smell. Sometimes the smell is foul—like garbage or morning breath. Other times, it may smell pungent like cheese or sweet like caramel.

Below are some common reasons your dog’s ears may smell unpleasant.

Yeast Infections

Yeast Infections – Smelly yeast infections in a dog’s ears are caused by Malassezia, a type of yeast. You might smell an odor similar to bread baking or beer. These types of ear infections are the itchiest for dogs. You may notice your dog rubbing his ears along the floor or scratching intensely at them.

Excess wax — Some dogs just produce more wax than other dogs. This wax attracts bacteria and produces odors without the presence of dirt or infections. Cleaning the wax regularly will help your dog stay more comfortable and remove odors.
Your vet can advise you on what a normal amount of wax would be to protect the ear and show you how to efficiently clean out your dog’s ears when it’s time. Develop a plan and stick to it to help keep extra wax in check.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are tiny and hard to see with the naked eye. They are very itchy and uncomfortable for dogs. Oftentimes, you will see build up in your dog’s ears that resemble coffee grounds. This build up can cause your dog’s ears to smell foul, but not rancid. This smell is usually similar to old trash.

Ear mites should be treated immediately as they are able to spread from dog-to-dog. You might notice signs similar to ear infections such as ear scratching, head shaking, redness and head tilting. In the case of ear mites, medications can be used to kill the parasites.

Foreign Objects

Surprisingly, it’s not uncommon for dogs to get things in their ears that don’t belong there. Plant awns, hair, grass seeds, or anything else your dog may have gotten into can end up in their ear. Your dog may also develop a mass or growth in his ear. Growths, polyps, or enlargement of the glands that secrete ear wax can also create the same trouble.

Changes like these decrease ventilation to the ear. The ear canal cannot dry properly and humidity within the ear canal increases, which favors overgrowth of yeast and bacteria.

Your dog may be more likely to get things stuck in his ear during the summer months. You may see him scratching his ears, shaking his head and—depending on where the object is—there may be a small amount of blood.

Allergies

Allergies are another very common cause of ear infections and odors in dogs— responsible for almost half of ear infection cases. Your dog may be allergic to something in the environment such as pollen or food; come into contact with an irritating substance; have generalized allergies, or experience a local drug reaction. Infections caused by allergies may not have a smell or may take on the rancid or sweet smell of a bacterial ear infection.

Common signs of allergies include ears that are red or warm to the touch, rubbing ears along the floor or scratching at ears, discharge from the ears or sores/scabs on the ear. For severe or chronic cases, the ear canal may become firm and thickened.

If your dog has recurrent ear infections, you should consult with your veterinarian about a treatment and cleaning regimen, and discuss potential underlying causes. It should be noted that a dog that has recurrent ear infections often has an underlying condition that should be addressed.

Mixed Ear Infections

Mixed ear infections (where bacteria and yeast are present) are common. The symptoms can vary, depending on the types and numbers of organisms present, and they may appear similar to yeast and/or bacterial infection.

Signs of a severe middle ear infection include:

1. Your dog appears to be off-balance.
2. Your dog seems uncoordinated.
3. Your dog turns in circles.

This is a serious infection that should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Watch his behavior. How do you know if your dog’s ears need to be cleaned? If they look and smell good, leave them alone. Your dog can’t tell you when something is wrong, but you can still be your dog’s advocate. Ear odor is just one indication that your pup may have developed a problem. Whether they’re short and pointy or big and floppy, be sure to check your pup’s ears often and be aware of any unusual dog behavior.

Is your pet paying more attention than usual to his ears? “An infected ear can become a source of torment for a dog, which can lead to scratching and even bleeding inside the ear flap or the gradual closure of the ear canal,” explains Levy. “Other signs include scratching, head shaking and rubbing the ears along the floor.” If an infection is left untreated, surgery may be required.

Get an exam. Notice small signs, and be sure to check in with your vet. Be in touch with your veterinarian if you discover that your dog’s ears are smelly. Smelly ears could lead to otitis, which is an infection. Most ear infections are caused by inflammation from allergies. It’s this inflammation that allows the overgrowth of yeast or bacteria—and the resulting smell.

Flush away debris. Your vet can also prescribe a special pet ear-cleaning solution, which is the preferred method of cleaning dog ear wax. “Flush the ear with the wash according to the directions, and then massage the outside, following the path of the ear canal downwards to dislodge debris and dog ear wax.” Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner can be used to clean sensitive doggy ears and has a pleasant citrus scent. Or pick up Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash for your pooch. Be prepared for your dog to shake his head during this process. Some vets suggest wrapping a cotton ball around your finger to make sure that you don’t penetrate too deeply and not going any deeper than your first knuckle.

Use the following steps to clean your dog’s ear canal of debris:

• Step 1: Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner and massage for 60 seconds. Speak with your veterinarian if you’d like a product recommendation.
• Step 2: Allow your dog to shake his head to help remove excess solution and debris.
• Step 3: Residual solution and debris can be wiped from the ear canal and pinna with a tissue or cotton ball.

Note: Do not use cotton tipped swabs at home since they can push debris deeper into the horizontal ear canal.

Commercial pet ear cleansers can be found over the counter and have compounds such as cerumenolytics and drying agents that soften and breakdown the ear wax, slow the growth of bacteria, decrease secretions, and reduce moisture.

For dog’s with recurrent ear problems, it might be helpful to clean his ears once a week.

Not cleaning prior to applying medicine and cleaning too much are the most common reasons for treatment failure in dogs with ear infections.

Clean off dirt and keep the ears dry. Giving your dog the best chance to be healthy and comfortable starts with noticing the little things. If your dog likes to roll in grass and leaves, do your best to brush away dirt and debris after each walk or play session. Another way to prevent odor (and more serious consequences) is to avoid getting additional moisture in your dog’s ears. “Swimming, of course, can lead to excess water in the canal, so some pet owners put cotton balls in their dog’s ears before going for a dip.”

Need to remove water form your dog’s ears? You can’t physically remove water from your dog’s ear canal, but there are plenty of liquid products designed to dry out the water within the ear. It’s best to clean your dog’s ears immediately after she goes swimming, which can help reduce the amount of time that water sits in her ears, potentially preventing her from developing an ear infection. You can purchase these drying liquids at a pet supply store, or you can make your own by combining hydrogen peroxide or apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of purified water.

Be sure to watch for the signs of an ear problem and check out any unusual behaviors or odors. If you think your pet is in distress, visit the vet for an evaluation, as medication may be necessary to relieve his discomfort.

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