Yeast Infection in Dog Ears, Skin, and Paws

By Brittany Kleszynski, DVM. Reviewed by Michael Kearley, DVM

Updated Mar. 31, 2025

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Key Takeaways

Yeast infections commonly affect a dog's ears, skin, and paws.
Most infections develop secondary to allergies or another underlying condition.
Common signs include itching, redness, odor, greasy skin, and excessive licking.
Diagnosis typically requires cytology or other veterinary testing.
Successful treatment usually requires addressing both the yeast infection and its underlying cause.

What Is a Yeast Infection in Dogs?

A yeast infection in dogs occurs when naturally occurring yeast on the skin multiplies excessively, causing itching, inflammation, odor, and skin changes.

Yeast are fungi that normally live on a dog's skin without causing problems. However, when an underlying health condition—such as allergies, hypothyroidism, or another condition that weakens the immune system—is present, yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.

The most common yeast involved in canine skin infections is Malassezia, which thrives in warm, moist areas of the body.

As the infection progresses, affected dogs often develop intense itching, greasy skin or coat, thickened skin, and dark discoloration of the affected areas.

Yeast infections can occur in dogs of any age.

Although yeast infections are not typically considered medical emergencies, they should be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Without treatment, the infection can become increasingly uncomfortable and may eventually contribute to decreased appetite, lethargy, and more severe skin disease.

Because yeast infections usually develop secondary to an underlying medical condition rather than being directly contagious, they are not spread between dogs or from dogs to people.

Types of Yeast Infections in Dogs

Yeast infections in dogs most commonly affect the ears, skin, and paws, but they can also develop in skin folds, the armpits, groin, and around the vulva.

Dog Ear Yeast Infections

Dog ear yeast infections (yeast otitis) commonly cause itchy, inflamed ears with a strong odor and thick brown discharge.

Dogs with yeast otitis often:

Scratch at their ears
Shake their head frequently
Develop thick, brown ear discharge
Have a strong odor coming from the ears
Develop a head tilt in more severe cases

Yeast ear infections are commonly associated with food allergies and occur more frequently in breeds with long, floppy ears, including Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Basset Hounds.

Dog Skin Yeast Infections

Dog skin yeast infections (yeast dermatitis) can occur anywhere on the body but are especially common in skin folds, the armpits, groin, and around the vulva.

Affected dogs may develop:

A musty odor
A greasy hair coat
Flaky or thickened skin
Hair loss
Brown discoloration caused by frequent licking

Yeast dermatitis often develops secondary to allergies or conditions that suppress the immune system.

Dog Paw Yeast Infections

Dog paw yeast infections commonly develop as a result of environmental allergies, including allergies to grass and pollen.

Affected dogs typically:

Lick or chew their paws constantly
Develop brown staining between the paw pads
Have red, moist skin between the toes
May eventually develop painful open sores

Symptoms of Yeast Infections in Dogs

Symptoms of a yeast infection vary depending on whether the ears, skin, or paws are affected.

Ear yeast infections may cause:

Head shaking
Frequent scratching of the ears
Thick, brown ear discharge
Red, inflamed ear canals
A strong odor from the ears

Skin yeast infections may cause:

Itchy skin
Small red bumps
Brown discoloration of the skin
Frequent licking or chewing of affected areas
A greasy hair coat
Thickened skin
A strong, musty odor

Paw yeast infections may cause:

Constant licking or chewing of the paws
Brown staining of the fur and skin
Red, moist skin between the paw pads

Causes of Yeast Infections in Dogs

Yeast infections develop when naturally occurring yeast on a dog's skin overgrows because of an underlying health problem or changes to the skin's normal protective barrier.

Yeast is considered an opportunistic organism, meaning it normally lives harmlessly on the skin but can multiply rapidly when conditions allow.

Common causes and risk factors include:

A weakened immune system
Underlying medical conditions
Environmental allergies
Food allergies
Skin parasites, including fleas and mites, which damage the skin barrier through repeated scratching and chewing

Some dog breeds are also more prone to developing yeast infections, including:

Pit Bulls
Boxers
Cocker Spaniels

How Veterinarians Diagnose Yeast Infections

Veterinarians diagnose yeast infections using a physical examination and laboratory tests that identify yeast on the skin or in the ears.

Your veterinarian will begin by reviewing your dog's medical history, including when the symptoms started, any medications your dog is taking, and any previously diagnosed medical conditions.

A complete physical examination is then performed, and blood work may be recommended to help identify underlying health problems that could contribute to recurrent yeast infections.

Additional diagnostic tests may include:

Test	Purpose
Tape impression	A piece of clear tape is pressed against the affected skin, stained, and examined under a microscope to look for yeast.
Cytology	A cotton swab is used to collect cells from the affected area, which are stained and examined microscopically for yeast organisms.
Culture	A sterile swab sample is sent to a laboratory to identify the specific organism causing the infection.
Skin biopsy	A small skin sample may be collected in chronic or treatment-resistant cases for a more definitive diagnosis.

Treatment for Yeast Infections in Dogs

Treatment for a yeast infection depends on where the infection is located, how severe it is, and whether an underlying condition is contributing to the problem.

Most yeast infections require several weeks of treatment, while more severe infections may take several weeks to months to fully resolve.

Skin Yeast Infections

Yeast dermatitis is commonly treated with antifungal medications and prescription medicated shampoos.

If the infection is limited to a small area, a topical medication alone may be sufficient. More widespread infections often require oral antifungal medication along with regular medicated bathing.

Ear Yeast Infections

Dog ear yeast infections (yeast otitis) are typically treated with topical antifungal medications and anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids.

Your veterinarian may also recommend cleaning the ears with a medicated ear wash before applying ear medication.

Paw Yeast Infections

Dog paw yeast infections are often treated with medicated antifungal wipes, topical mousses containing antifungal and anti-inflammatory medications, and oral medications when needed.

Because yeast infections commonly develop secondary to allergies or other medical conditions, successful treatment often requires identifying and managing the underlying cause as well as treating the infection itself.

Managing Yeast Infections in Dogs

Successfully managing a yeast infection requires treating both the infection itself and the underlying condition that allowed it to develop.

Because yeast infections are often secondary to allergies, hormonal disorders, or other medical conditions, they are unlikely to resolve completely without appropriate veterinary treatment.

Identifying and managing the underlying cause improves the likelihood of successful treatment. For example, diagnosing and treating a food allergy can help prevent recurrent skin infections.

Recovery time depends on the severity of the infection. Most yeast infections require several weeks to several months to fully resolve.

Many dogs begin experiencing relief from itching and discomfort within one to two weeks of starting treatment. However, noticeable improvements in the skin and hair coat often take several additional weeks.

Prevention of Yeast Infections in Dogs

Preventing yeast infections starts with maintaining your dog's overall health and managing underlying conditions before yeast has an opportunity to overgrow.

Regular wellness examinations and preventive veterinary care can help identify medical conditions—such as allergies or hormonal disorders—that increase a dog's risk of developing yeast infections.

Although yeast infections can usually be treated successfully with medication, preventing or controlling the underlying cause often reduces the likelihood of future infections.

If you notice your dog scratching, licking, or chewing excessively, or you detect a strong odor from the ears, skin, or paws, schedule a veterinary examination as soon as possible. Early treatment can help prevent the infection from becoming more severe and improve your dog's comfort.

Yeast Infections in Dogs FAQs

What food causes yeast infections in dogs?

Food itself does not directly cause yeast infections, but food allergies can contribute to yeast overgrowth in some dogs.

The food ingredients most commonly associated with canine food allergies are proteins, with chicken being one of the most frequently identified allergens in dogs with yeast infections.

What happens if a dog's yeast infection goes untreated?

Untreated yeast infections usually become progressively worse over time.

Without treatment, the infection can lead to severe itching, skin thickening, ongoing discomfort, and secondary skin damage. As the infection worsens, some dogs may develop decreased appetite, lethargy, and a poorer overall quality of life.

How do I know if my dog has a bacterial or yeast infection?

It is often difficult to tell the difference without veterinary testing.

Both bacterial and yeast skin infections can cause redness, itching, and inflammation. However, yeast infections are more commonly associated with greasy skin, thickened skin, and a strong musty odor.

Your veterinarian can determine the cause using tests such as cytology or a tape impression.

What dog breeds are prone to yeast infections?

Any dog can develop a yeast infection, but some breeds are at greater risk.

Dogs with allergies or a predisposition to ear disease—such as Cocker Spaniels—are more commonly affected.

Can yeast infections in dogs go away on their own?

No. Because yeast infections are usually caused by an underlying medical condition, they generally require veterinary treatment and management of the underlying cause.

Can humans catch a yeast infection from a dog?

No. The most common yeast infections in dogs are caused by Malassezia, which is not considered contagious to people or other dogs.

Why do my dog's paws smell like corn chips?

The characteristic "Frito" or corn chip smell often develops when yeast overgrows on the paws, especially in dogs that frequently lick or chew their feet.