Why Your Dog’s Ears Stink and What To Do

Have you noticed that your dog’s ears stink? Are you wondering why your dog's ears smell?

If so, there may be a problem in your pup’s ears. These issues can range from ear wax buildup to ear infections.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about odor in a dog's ears—from what causes the smell to tips for cleaning and preventing ear issues.

Why Do My Dog's Ears Stink?

There are a few different things that can cause your dog’s ears to stink.

Let’s look at some of the most common causes of odor in a dog’s ears.

• Ear wax buildup—Ear wax buildup can occur if the normal self-cleaning mechanism of your dog’s ear is disturbed. Your dog may not seem bothered by this at all. The ear wax should be a yellow color.

  • This type of wax buildup can cause a change in odor in your dog’s ears, but it will be a mild odor. The problem can usually be solved by cleaning your dog’s ears with a veterinarian-approved routine ear cleaner.

  • PetMD also offers a step-by-step ear cleaning guide for pet parents.

• Yeast infections—Ear yeast infections are quite common and can cause a more pronounced odor in your dog’s ears.

  • In many cases, a yeast infection causes what is described as a sweet or musty smell—often referred to as a “Frito® chip smell”. There can also be redness and discharge from the ear that’s generally brown in color.

• Bacterial ear infections—A bacterial ear infection usually causes the most severe symptoms. Do not try to clean your dog’s ears at home before seeing your veterinarian. With certain types of bacteria, you may smell the ear from across the room.

  • Ulcers may be present in the ear canals, and you may notice more discharge, fluid, and pain.

• Mixed ear infections—Mixed ear infections (where both bacteria and yeast are present) are common.

How To Get Rid of Smelly Dog Ears

For most dogs, routine cleaning of your dog's ear(s) can be the best first step for helping get rid of the odor. 

For dogs with excess ear hair—which can trap odors and ear wax—you may want to consult a groomer and have some of your dog’s ear hair removed.

If the odor continues or is accompanied by other symptoms associated with an ear infection (redness, head shaking/scratching, or pain), don’t clean your dog's ear(s) on your own. This can decrease the efficacy of proper diagnosis in the veterinary office and can cause your dog more pain.

Use caution and seek veterinary guidance for the best ear cleaners.

Dogs suffering from ear infections can have an underlying ear drum rupture (though uncommon) and certain chemicals shouldn’t be used with this condition.

Should You Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

Dogs have an ear-cleaning mechanism that will naturally keep their ears clean. This means that ear cleaning at home should only be performed under these circumstances:

• Your dog has visibly dirty ears.

• Your dog went swimming or had a bath (using a veterinarian-approved cleaner with a drying agent).

• Your veterinarian directed you to do so while treating an ear infection.

However, some dogs—like Cocker Spaniels—are known to produce more ear wax than other dogs. They may require a more frequent at-home ear cleaning regimen.

Your dog’s ears should be cleaned with a solution specifically developed for this purpose.

Do not use home recipes for ear cleaning that contain hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or alcohol, as they may irritate the ears or worsen an existing problem.

Cotton-tipped swabs should not be used to clean your dog’s ears. They might have the unintended effect of pushing debris further into the ear canal.

How To Prevent Smelly Dog Ears

To keep your dog’s ears healthy, you should check them at least once weekly.

This allows you to find any problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue.

Some signs to look for include:

• Odor

• Discharge

• Blood

• Swelling of the ear or narrowing of the ear canals

• Ulcers in the ear canal

• Redness to the ear and/or canal

• Scratching of the ears

• Excessive shaking of the head

• Tilting of the head

• Turning in circles

• Acting off-balance

Whenever possible, prevent water from getting into your dog's ear(s). They should be cleaned as part of any bathing regimen and after any swimming activities.

Have your dog regularly groomed and their ear hair trimmed, especially if its excessive or your pup has a history of ear infections.

If your dog suffers from allergies, his ears are at risk of becoming itchy, smelly, and infected. 

Keep your dog on his allergy regimen, which could range from anything from a specialized diet to daily medications to monthly injections. 

Providing a proper and balanced diet with omega fatty acids can also help keep your dog's ear(s) as healthy as possible and more resistant to allergies.

If your dog has recurrent ear infections, speak with your veterinarian about treatment and any potential underlying causes.