Dog symptom · when to worry

Dog Scratching Ears: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet

By Team Flok 4 min read

Itchy ears, head shaking, smelly discharge — sort out what's mild and what's an infection that needs a vet.

Flok is not a vet. This page summarizes guidance from public veterinary references — including the AVMA, ASPCA, WSAVA, Cornell Feline Health Center, and VCA Animal Hospitals. It does not replace your vet's diagnosis. If any red flag below applies, call your vet now.

Otherwise, the rest of this page helps you decide what to do.

Some scratching is normal. Persistent scratching, head shaking, head tilt, smell, or discharge — that’s an infection or worse, and it gets harder to treat the longer you wait. See the «when to take to vet» framework for broader context.

This is a decision framework.

First decision: emergency, urgent, or wait-and-see

Emergency or near-emergency (vet ASAP, today):

  • Sudden head tilt with balance problems, falling over, eyes flicking side-to-side (nystagmus). Could be inner ear infection or vestibular disease.
  • Swollen ear flap like a balloon (aural hematoma — broken blood vessel from violent head shaking).
  • Bleeding from the ear canal.
  • Severe pain — yelps when touched, won’t let you near the head.
  • Foreign object visible in the ear (grass awn / foxtail — common in summer in fields).

Urgent (vet within 24-72h):

  • Persistent scratching at one or both ears for more than a couple of days.
  • Smelly ears (yeasty bread smell or sour smell).
  • Discharge — brown, black, yellow, or red.
  • Repeated head shaking.
  • Holding head tilted.
  • Visible redness inside the ear flap.

Wait-and-see:

  • Brief scratch after a bath (water in ears).
  • Occasional scratch with no other signs, ears look clean and smell neutral.
  • One-off head shake after waking up or coming inside.

Common causes

Otitis externa (outer ear infection) — extremely common

Bacterial, yeast, or mixed infection in the outer canal. Brown waxy or yellow purulent discharge, smell, redness, scratching, head shaking. Predisposed: floppy-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Cavaliers, Bassett Hounds, Labradors, Goldens, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs), breeds with hairy ear canals (Poodles, Schnauzers), dogs that swim a lot.

Needs vet — they’ll do an ear cytology, prescribe targeted treatment. Over-the-counter ear cleaners alone usually don’t clear an active infection and can make some worse.

Ear mites

More common in puppies, outdoor dogs, and dogs that live with cats. Black coffee-ground debris in the canal, intense itch. Vet diagnosis (mites visible under microscope) and treatment.

Allergies (atopy or food)

Many dogs with environmental or food allergies show ear inflammation as a primary symptom. Recurring ear infections every few months → ask vet about allergy workup.

Foreign body (grass awn / foxtail)

Especially in summer, dogs who walk in tall grass / fields. Sudden, violent ear scratching, head tilting, sometimes after a walk. Vet visit, often need sedation to remove.

Polyps and tumors

Less common, more often in older dogs and certain cat breeds. Persistent unilateral discharge, sometimes blood. Vet exam.

Yeast overgrowth

Often secondary to allergies or moisture. Yeasty smell. Same vet workup as outer ear infection.

Things to check at home (gently)

These don’t replace a vet, just help you describe what you see.

  1. Lift the ear flap. Smell it. Look at color (pink-grey is normal; angry red or dark is not).
  2. Check the canal. Visible debris? Color of the discharge?
  3. Watch the head shake pattern. Once-in-a-while or constant?
  4. Compare ears. One ear or both? Asymmetry sometimes points to a foreign body or polyp.
  5. Don’t deep-clean before the vet visit. Cleaning can change what the vet sees on cytology and can push debris deeper.

What to track in Flok

In Daily check-in:

  • Frequency of scratching, head shaking.
  • Which ear (if you can tell).
  • Discharge color / smell / amount.
  • Recent swims, baths, grooming, walks in tall grass.
  • Recent flare-up of any other allergy signs (paw licking, belly redness, itchy face).

In Pet Records:

  • Past ear infections — date, side, treatment, what worked.
  • Allergies (food, environmental).
  • Ear-cleaning routine (how often, what product).
  • Vaccination history.

If your dog has had ear infections before, Flok’s history helps the vet pattern-match to whatever cleared it last time, instead of starting over.

What NOT to do

  • Don’t pour rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide in the ear canal.
  • Don’t use Q-tips inside the canal — push debris deeper, risk eardrum damage.
  • Don’t use leftover ear meds from a previous infection without checking with the vet — different infection, different treatment.
  • Don’t assume an over-the-counter ear cleaner will fix an active infection — it usually won’t.

FAQ

How can I tell if my dog has an ear infection vs just dirty ears?

Smell, redness, discharge color, persistent scratching, and head shaking suggest infection. Mild waxy buildup with no smell or scratch is usually fine. When in doubt, vet — they’re cheap to confirm and expensive to ignore.

Should I clean my dog’s ears regularly?

Depends on the breed and environment. Floppy-eared, swimming, allergic dogs benefit from a vet-recommended cleaner used 1-2x/week. Healthy upright-eared dogs often don’t need routine cleaning. Ask your vet for a routine that fits your dog.

How much does a dog ear infection cost to treat?

Varies by region. In the US, a vet visit + cytology + medication often runs $80-250 for uncomplicated cases. Recurring infections without addressing the cause (often allergies) cost much more in the long run.

Can ear infections clear up on their own?

Mild cases occasionally do. Most don’t, and untreated infections can progress to middle/inner ear involvement, ruptured eardrums, and chronic disease. Don’t wait it out.

Are some breeds more prone to ear infections?

Yes. Floppy-eared breeds (Cockers, Bassetts, Cavaliers), hairy-canal breeds (Poodles, Schnauzers), brachycephalic (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs) all have elevated risk. Routine ear care is a worthwhile habit for them.

When to use Flok

Flok keeps your dog’s ear-cleaning routine, past treatments, and current symptoms in one place. Recurring ear issues are a pattern problem — Flok shows the pattern. Free on iOS.

Sources

This post is general guidance for pet parents and is not a substitute for veterinary care. Last reviewed: 2026-04-28.

This content is educational. For diagnosis or treatment, see a licensed veterinarian. Flok is a record-keeping tool, not a veterinary service.

If you believe your pet is in immediate danger, contact your nearest emergency veterinary clinic or — in the US — call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 (a fee may apply). Equivalent services exist in the UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries — your vet can advise on the local number.

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