Dog ear infection signs and home care

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet. The classic signs are head shaking, scratching at one or both ears, a dark waxy or yellow discharge, a yeasty or foul smell coming from the ear canal, and visible redness inside the ear flap.

Why dogs get ear infections

Dogs with floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Labradors) trap moisture and reduce airflow, creating an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to overgrow. Other triggers include allergies (food or environmental), water left in the ear after swimming or bathing, foreign objects like grass seeds, and ear mites (more common in puppies).

What you can do at home

- Gently clean the outer ear flap with a cotton ball moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. Never insert anything into the ear canal.
- Keep the ears dry after swimming or bathing — use a soft cloth and tilt your dog's head to each side.
- If your dog is prone to infections, ask your vet about a preventive ear rinse routine.
- Do not use cotton buds, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol inside the ear — these damage sensitive tissue.

What the vet will do

The vet will examine the ear canal with an otoscope and may take a swab for cytology to identify whether it is bacterial or yeast-based. Treatment is typically a topical antibiotic or antifungal ear drop, applied once or twice daily for 1–2 weeks. Severe or recurring infections may need oral antibiotics or further investigation for underlying allergies.

Preventing recurrence

If your dog gets repeated ear infections, the root cause is almost always an allergy — either to food or to environmental allergens. Ask your vet about an elimination diet trial or allergy testing. Flovvi's health log can help you track infection frequency and correlate it with seasons or diet changes.