Being a former groomer at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, I don’t want to be gross, but I could smell an ear infection in a dog from a mile away. Each infection, from a minor yeast infection to a more serious bacterial infection, had a distinct smell and was easy to identify. Actually, it was fairly typical for a grooming visitor to have anything from a minor ear wax buildup to a severe, occasionally persistent ear infection.
It is not the case that these dogs’ owners were careless. For a while, ear infections may “hide” or even creep up on a person without the owner noticing anything is wrong. Since all dogs scratch their ears, owners may not pay much attention if their dog is shaking their head and scratching their ears, both indications that they may have an ear infection. Frequently, an owner won’t recognize a problem until there is discharge, ear swelling, a strongly unpleasant odor, or the dog starts to whine.
Cause #4: Foreign Objects
It’s unquestionably adorable to watch your dog roll around blissfully in the great outdoors, but the more time your dog spends outside, the higher the risk of them getting something stuck in their ear. Debris like grass, dirt, or leaf fragments can all become lodged in the ear, resulting in reduced airflow and a moist environment where yeast and bacteria can flourish.
Visit a veterinarian to have the offending foreign body flushed out if you believe your dog has an unwelcome guest lodged in their ear. Never place a cotton swab or Q-tip inside the ear canal of your dog as you might push the object deeper into the canal, causing more pain and raising the possibility of an infection.
Dog Ear Anatomy: A Quick Overview
The external, middle, and inner ears all make up the dog’s ear canal. The pinna, or portion of the ear we can see, guards the inner portions of the ear, which contain the crucial hearing structures in our dogs.
The inner part of the ear contains vital blood vessels and nerves that need to be protected. These structures can be compromised by ear diseases, which can result in long-term harm. This is why it’s so crucial to maintain your dog’s ear health.
Always take your dog to the vet if you have any other worries about her health or wellbeing. It may be a good idea to have her smelly ears examined by a professional, even if you believe they are caused by a straightforward issue, especially if this is the first time you have ever noticed the issue.
Do you have a dog whose ears smell bad? Have you ever thought about what might be making your dog’s ears smell so bad? In some cases, the issue is very straightforward, but in others, it might need veterinary help to be resolved.
Hygiene practices may also be to blame for your dog’s stinky ears. Giving her a bath and using a dog-safe ear cleaner to delicately and carefully clean her ears will quickly fix this problem. Bathing must be done more frequently at certain times of the year. To help you stay on top of your dog’s hygiene practices, ask your veterinarian about these times of the year.
However, some dogs are extremely fearful or aggressive around ear cleanings, so you might need to have your veterinarian handle this for you. Additionally, you can request that the dog groomer clean your pet’s ears if you take your dog to the groomer. If your dog is particularly aggressive or challenging to handle during the cleaning, there may be a larger fee to compensate for the difficulty.
Many hairs may be growing inside or just outside the ears of some dogs. If your dog has this condition, you might need to trim this fur to stop bacteria from becoming trapped there. This can keep her healthier, lower her risk of ear infections, and lessen the odor.
FAQ
What does an infected dog ear smell like?
It’s possible that your dog has a yeast infection if you notice that her ears smell musty or sickeningly sweet. Along with the smell, this issue may also result in pain, itching, swelling, redness, and occasionally oozing discharge. Due to the fact that a dog’s ears are an ideal environment for Candida to grow, it is a common issue.
How do I know if my dogs ears are 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.
What causes dogs ears to smell?
The most typical reason for canine ears that smell bad is ear infections. These infections may result from: Various bacterial organisms that are common to a dog’s skin and ear canal may seize the chance to spread infection by taking advantage of cuts, abrasions, and other wounds.
How do I get rid of my dog’s smelly ears?
Make thorough ear cleanings a regular part of your dog’s wellness regimen to aid in preventing earwax buildup and smelly ears. Your dog’s ears need to be cleaned frequently. Ask your veterinarian which ear cleaner is best for your dog if you’re unsure.