Foreign Bodies in Dog Ears: What To Do and When To Go to the Vet

Foreign bodies or objects in a dog’s surroundings, such as grass seeds, burrs, and foxtails, can enter their ears, get stuck, and cause extreme discomfort if left untreated.

While some foreign bodies can be removed at home depending on their location in the ear, others may need veterinary care and professional removal.  

You may need to take steps to help decrease the chances of a foreign body entering your dog’s ear, particularly if they have long hair, floppy ears, and spend a lot of time outdoors. 

What Are Foreign Bodies in Dog Ears?

Your dog’s ear consists of three main parts: 

• Outer ear—The outer ear is the ear canal and the visible cartilage covered by skin and fur.  

• Inner ear—The inner ear holds the organ that allows hearing, called the cochlea, and the organ that helps with balance, called the vestibular system. 

• Middle ear—The middle ear consists of the eardrum, muscles that internally connect the ear to the nose, and three tiny bones (called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup because of their shapes).  

Click here to download this medical illustration. 

Common foreign bodies that get stuck in dog ears include grass seeds, insects, gravel, sand, parasites, and foxtails.  

Foreign bodies deeply lodged in a dog’s ear canal can be very painful and cause serious medical issues and should be considered a veterinary emergency. 

How Can You Tell Your Dog Has a Foreign Body in Their Ear?

Signs that your dog may have a foreign body in their ear include: 

• Head shaking 

• Holding head to one side 

• Inflammation (swelling) in or around the ear 

• Excessive scratching of the ear 

• Blood in the ear 

• Aural hematoma (a squishy lump that can be caused by forceful ear shaking and scratching) 

• Foul smells coming from the ear 

• Ear infection 

• Indicators of pain (yelping, pulling away) when the ear is touched 

What To Do if Your Dog Has Something Stuck in Their Ear

Some shallow and accessible foreign bodies in the outer ear may be removable at home.  

However, it’s always advised to have your dog’s ear examined by a professional prior to removing the object yourself. 

To remove an object (with your vet’s permission), pet parents should first gently but firmly restrain their dog in a well-lit area, remove the reachable foreign object using tweezers, and then rinse and massage the area with ​​sterile saline solution.  

Be sure to look in the ear to confirm that you’ve removed the entire foreign object. Keep in mind that more items may be present and not immediately visible, lodged deeper in your dog’s ear. 

A dog with a foreign body in her ear may have to see a veterinarian right away depending on the signs they are showing.

Bleeding, aggressive head shaking, and stumbling are all causes for concern. 

Even if you think you’ve successfully removed the item, your dog should be examined by their vet. There may be inflammation or ulceration or bruising in the ear canal from the lodged foreign object, and it's best to ensure the entire object is removed. 

There are some actions you can take in the time between severe symptom onset and the veterinary exam to prevent further damage to the ear. 

• If your dog’s ear is bleeding, use a cotton pad, sanitary towel, or sterile absorbent pad and apply light but firm pressure for several minutes to stop the bleeding. 

• Aggressive head shaking can damage the ear and cause an aural hematoma. To help prevent this, bandage the ear flat against the head using tape. If available, surgical or medical tape is preferred. 

• A dog that’s stumbling or struggling to stay upright may accidentally injure herself and cause more medical issues. You can prevent further injury by providing support via a sling or harness, but they should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. 

When in doubt, always take your dog to see a veterinarian. A call or email to the veterinarian’s office with a picture may be helpful in figuring out the severity of the issue with the foreign object in your dog’s ear and the level of care that may be needed. 

When To Call the Vet

A foreign body lodged deeply in the ear is unlikely to clear up on its own and can cause extreme discomfort. Dogs showing symptoms of a foreign body in their ear will need immediate veterinary attention.  

Without treatment, further complications may happen. 

• An ear infection may result from bacteria and yeast that are trapped by the foreign object. 

• Permanent damage to the delicate internal structures found in your dog’s ear may occur. 

Your veterinarian will use an otoscope (a lighted tool used to examine the ear canal) to look at the ear and decide what technique is needed for object removal.

Fine forceps, a video otoscopy, ear flush, or a combination of approaches may be used to remove the foreign object. Some dogs may need sedation or a general anesthetic to ensure their comfort during the procedure. 

After the object is removed, your vet will give you at-home care instructions. These will vary depending on the foreign body, its location in the ear, and your dog’s overall health.  

Your veterinarian will likely ask you to continue watching for any signs of discomfort, pain, or further injury; may prescribe ear drops or other medications to give as instructed; and may schedule a follow-up visit to make sure your dog’s recovery is going smoothly. 

How To Prevent Foreign Bodies in Dog Ears

Every dog is at risk for getting a foreign body in their ear, but some may be more at risk than others. Floppy-eared dogs with mid-length to long hair and active outdoor lifestyles are most at risk.  

Several steps can be taken to prevent foreign bodies in dog ears: 

• Avoid walking through tall grasses. 

• Check your dog’s ears after time spent outside and remove any foreign objects stuck to the outside of the ear. 

• Trim the dog’s hair around the ear. 

• Discourage rolling in sand or gravel. 

Unfortunately, at some point or another, regardless of precautions taken, a dog may end up with a foreign body in their ear canal.  

Being knowledgeable about how and when to seek veterinary treatment is important.   

Left untreated, foreign bodies can cause significant discomfort and even long-term medical complications—be sure to follow up with your veterinarian and have your dog examined immediately.