Many of the questions dog owners have about their dog’s ears center on ear wax. Dog ear wax has many aspects that are typical and many that aren’t. So let’s discuss what typical dog ear wax should resemble and when to be suspicious of a problem. In order to facilitate the procedure, we created a new dog ear wax color chart.
Dog Earwax Color: Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing what is useful and what isn’t when it comes to dog earwax and ear cleaning can be challenging. To assist you, we’ve provided answers to some frequently asked questions about dog earwax below.
What color should my dog’s earwax be?
A variety of earwax colors, including yellowish, light brown, and even black, can indicate an ear infection. Your dog’s ears should ideally be pink and healthy-looking, devoid of redness, discharge, and odors. Watch out for additional telltale signs of a dog ear infection, such as head shaking, ear scratching, and rubbing of the ears on the ground or other surfaces.
When Does Ear Wax Become a Problem?
The majority of the time, a dog’s ear self-cleaning system does a good job of maintaining healthy ears and excellent hearing. But occasionally, ear wax in a dog’s ears can actually result in issues.
Excessive ear wax buildup and production in some dog breeds and health conditions can result in discomfort, hearing loss, ear infections, and even the attraction of parasites. Dogs with long ear canals, like Basset Hounds, may have trouble getting their ear wax out properly. Breeds like Poodles with excessive ear hair may create a sort of dam that prevents ear wax from evaporating. Bulldog breeds’ skin folds can have a similar impact. Even some breeds, such as Cocker Spaniels, have a genetic tendency to produce too much ear wax.
It is more challenging to typically get rid of ear wax and the irritants that it traps under any of these circumstances. You might also notice a change in the color and odor of the wax in some of these situations, which would suggest an infection. When your dog is having a problem, you may also notice that they tilt or shake their heads, scratch at their ears, or don’t want their ears touched.
FAQ
Is brown ear wax normal in dogs?
Dark brown or black earwax is frequently linked to bacterial or yeast ear infections. If earwax is this color, it would be wise to speak with a veterinarian. Brown—Light brown earwax is normal and expected. Wax that is accompanied by odor or swelling may indicate an infection.
What color should a dog ear wax be?
Healthy earwax should be a pale, yellowish color. It’s abnormal if your dog’s earwax appears to be dark brown or black, or if it appears dirty gray rather than golden. Additionally, a problem may be indicated by a discernible increase in wax buildup. A healthy dog’s ears should have no smell.
How do I know if my dogs ears are dirty or infected?
- Scratching of the ear or area around the ear.
- Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge.
- Odor in the ear.
- Redness Swelling Scabs or crusts on the inner outer ear
- Hair loss around the ear.
- Rubbing the ear and surrounding area against a wall, a table, or other object
- Head shaking or head tilt.
Why does my dog have thick black ear wax?
Malassezia infections in dogs cause extreme itching and a “yeasty” odor. They’ll shake their heads and scratch at their ears a lot if they have Malassezia ear infections. Around the ears and the ear canal’s opening, a thick, black waxy substance may be seen crusting.