Dog & cat health · Vet-reviewed guide

Dog Ear Infection Symptoms: Signs to Watch and When to Worry

Head-shaking, scratching, a bad smell, gunky discharge — dog ear infections have a recognizable pattern. Recurring ones usually point to a bigger cause underneath.

Quick answer: The most common dog ear infection symptoms are scratching at the ear, frequent head shaking, an unpleasant odor, and a brown, yellow, or bloody discharge. You may also see redness and swelling inside the ear, notice your dog is in pain when the ear is touched, or see them rubbing their head along the floor and furniture.

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet, and they are usually uncomfortable rather than dangerous at first, but they can worsen and spread deeper into the ear if left. A few signs deserve urgent attention: a head tilt, loss of balance, or walking in circles can mean the infection has reached the middle or inner ear, which is more serious. Because the right treatment depends on whether the infection is caused by yeast, bacteria, or both, and because a damaged eardrum changes what is safe to use, an ear infection needs a vet to diagnose rather than a guess at home. This guide covers the signs and when to act.

Common signs of an ear infection

• Scratching or pawing at the ear
• Frequent head shaking or head rubbing on the floor and furniture
• A bad or musty odor from the ear
• Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge, or a waxy buildup
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal or flap
• Pain or sensitivity when the ear is touched
• Hair loss or scabbing around the ear from scratching¹

What the discharge and odor can suggest

The type of smell and discharge offers clues, though not a diagnosis. A musty, sweet odor with brown waxy discharge often points toward yeast, while a foul smell with yellow, green, or bloody discharge and more pain leans toward a bacterial infection.¹ Many infections involve both. Because the treatment differs, this is something a vet confirms by looking at a sample under a microscope, which we cover in our guide on yeast versus bacterial ear infections.

Signs it is more serious

Most ear infections affect the outer ear canal, but they can progress inward. Warning signs of a deeper, middle or inner ear infection include a head tilt, loss of balance, circling, rapid eye movements, or hearing loss.¹ These need prompt veterinary care, as does any ear that is severely swollen, bleeding, or intensely painful.

Why not to self-treat

It is tempting to reach for a home remedy or a leftover product, but two things make that risky. First, using the wrong treatment, an antibacterial product on a yeast infection, for example, will not work and lets the infection worsen. Second, an untreated ear infection can rupture the eardrum, and some cleaners and home remedies can cause serious harm if the eardrum is damaged.² A vet can look in the ear, check the eardrum, and identify the cause.

What the vet does, and getting a prescription

A vet examines the ear canal and eardrum, takes a sample to identify yeast versus bacteria, cleans the ear, and prescribes the right medication.¹ When medication is needed, it must be chosen by a vet for your dog. If your dog needs a prescription, our licensed veterinarians can review your dog and issue one when appropriate. See how our vet prescription service works.

When to see a vet

Book a visit for any suspected ear infection, and go promptly if you see a head tilt, balance problems, severe pain, or bleeding.¹ Recurring ear infections also deserve a workup, since they often have an underlying cause such as allergies.