3 Things That Cause Ear Infections In Dogs

Ear infections are the most common reason pups went to the vet last year, according to Nationwide Pet Insurance. As such, there’s a pretty good chance your pup may develop one if you aren’t careful.

Pups with floppy ears, or those with hair that grows on their ear canal, are more susceptible to ear infections. With that being said, all pups can develop this condition, so it’s best to learn how to prevent it. Here are the top causes of ear infections, so you can better understand how this happens.

1. Water in the ear canal

An ear canal with a significant amount of trapped water is a breeding ground for all sorts of microorganisms, like bacteria, fungi, or yeast. This can then result in discharge, inflammation, and pain to pups. If your pup swims or bathes often, make sure to dry his ears afterwards!

2. Ear mites

These pests feed on earwax and the oils that are secreted within pups’ ears. This can then lead to infection and inflammation if not treated. Brown discharge is typically a sign of ear mites.

3. Allergies

Allergies from food and also hay fever are both common causes of ear infections. If your pup tends to get infections or often licks or chews at spots caused by allergies, then you’ll need to talk to a vet about opting for a diet that eliminates these allergens entirely.

Think your pup has an ear infection? Bring them to a vet to find out, as soon as you can! Make sure you find out the reason behind the infection, too, so you can be prepared against it in the future. You can learn how to potentially prevent ear infections altogether here! Do share this information if you found it useful!