Hello Dear Pet Parents, it’s been a while since my last post. The last few months have been stressful for us as pet parents and even for our pets. But I’m back now, and this time I wanted to share with you some very useful information about why do dogs scratch their ears. It might seem nonchalant to us, but it could be due to serious reasons. So, pay attention.
We often see our pets scratching or shaking their ears quite frequently. Most dogs will shake to relieve minor itches or irritation; however, if head-shaking persists and becomes excessive, it should be a cause for concern. A close examination reveals immense wax deposition and inflammation in the ear.
Pet parents, this is nothing but a symptom of Otitis externa, meaning inflammation of the ear. Otitis externa may be acute or chronic (persistent or recurrent otitis lasting for 3 months or longer). If left untreated, it may lead to deafness, eardrum rupture, complicated infections, injury, or illnesses. With otitis externa, the ears may look red and swollen and become hypersensitive to touch. The pet may experience relief or pain when you massage their ears.
Otitis Externa in Dogs Ear
Otitis externa is very common in pets and as a Vet, I have experienced that many pet owners overlook this peculiar symptom and restrict to home measures of cleaning the ear with earbuds or any other home remedy. Dear Pet Parents DON’T DO THIS! Cleaning the ear with earbuds often predisposes your lap baby to more severe ear infections than you can imagine.
A Dog’s Ear
Dogs are more prone to ear infections than any other species, partially because of their conformation. A dog’s ear canal has a steep vertical portion and then a horizontal portion, almost creating the shape of the letter “L”. This peculiar shape of the ear canal makes it difficult for wax, oil, and other secretions to exit the canal and which in turn, gets accumulated. The prolonged presence of this organic material creates an environment that enhances the growth of the otherwise small amount of yeast and bacteria that normally reside in the ear canal.
Ear mites, allergies (to food, fleas, pollen, etc.), tumours of the ear canal, endocrine disorders (such as hypothyroidism), and foreign material in the canals predispose the ear to inflammation and increase waxy discharge, which contributes to an increase in local humidity and pH of the external ear canal, further generating a conducive environment for the infections to set in.
Read Also: How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Paw
The key to a healthy dog ear rests on regular vigilance as well as keeping your furry baby’s ears dry and clean or else, they may face recurrent ear infections which will be difficult to treat.
Recommendations
I’m sharing some recommended basics with all of you PAWPARENTS
- Your Furr balls’ ears should be cleaned at least once a month, more often if your dog is prone to ear problems.
- A SNEAK PEEK can be more than what the ear exposes.
- Check for dirt, scratches, parasites, excessive wax, or discharge.
- Working up a bit and give them a good sniff and Sniff around the scratchy ear for all that unpleasant odour.
- Moisten a cotton ball with mineral oil or normal saline and gently wipe out the ears, going no deeper than the first knuckle on your finger.
- Overcleaning can lead to maceration of the epithelium, preventing the restoration of the self-cleaning mechanism and so perpetuating the otitis.
- If your dog’s ear is difficult to clean or if it contains a lot of packed debris. It may need to be flushed. At times, an anaesthetic is required to perform this procedure. The Vet is the solution.
Final Words
So, PAW PARENTS, it is mandatory to have your dog evaluated if he or she is showing signs of an ear infection. Follow your vet’s treatment recommendations regarding the length of treatment and medications. Effective treatment early in the disease process and identification of the underlying cause will provide the best outcome for your dog and make it SCRATCH FREE!
We hope you found the above information useful about why do dogs scratch their ears. Please do share any other information that I might have missed that you might know of or your personal experiences or questions regarding why do dogs scratch their ears with us in the comments section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Dogs scratch their ears due to irritation, inflammation, or ear infections like otitis externa, which causes redness, swelling, and discomfort.
Otitis externa is inflammation of the ear canal, which can be acute or chronic. It leads to symptoms like redness, swelling, sensitivity to touch, and excessive wax buildup.
Dogs’ ear canals have an “L” shape, making it harder for wax and secretions to exit naturally, creating an environment for bacteria and yeast to grow.
Common causes include ear mites, allergies (to food, fleas, or pollen), foreign objects, endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, and tumors in the ear canal.
Look for symptoms like excessive scratching, head shaking, redness, swelling, unusual odor, waxy discharge, or sensitivity to touch around the ears.
Use a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil or saline to gently wipe the ear, avoiding deep cleaning. Overcleaning can damage the natural self-cleaning mechanism.
Using earbuds can push debris deeper into the ear canal, worsening infections and causing further damage.
Take your dog to the vet. The ear may need flushing, and in some cases, anesthesia might be required for proper cleaning.
Early treatment helps prevent complications like deafness, eardrum rupture, and chronic infections, ensuring a better outcome for your pet.
Occasional scratching is normal and could be due to minor itches or irritations. However, frequent or excessive scratching could indicate an underlying issue like ear infections, allergies, or ear mites.
Puppies may scratch their ears due to irritation, earwax buildup, allergies, or the presence of ear mites. Their developing immune systems make them more susceptible to infections.
Dogs rely on their sense of smell to understand their environment. After scratching, your dog may smell their paw to identify the source of irritation or detect any unusual scents from their ear.
Scratching at night can be due to increased irritation or discomfort when the dog is resting. It could result from ear infections, dryness, or allergies that worsen in a warm or quiet environment.
You should be concerned if scratching is frequent, accompanied by redness, swelling, discharge, a bad odor, or signs of pain. Consult a vet for proper evaluation.
Keep their ears clean and dry, avoid overcleaning, and ensure regular vet check-ups. Address any allergies or irritants promptly.
Yes, ear mites are a common cause of scratching. They cause intense itching, waxy buildup, and discomfort, requiring prompt veterinary treatment.
Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner or a cotton ball moistened with saline. Avoid deep cleaning and consult a vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
