ear care for cats and dogs

How dog and cat ears are different

Dogs and cats are prone to different types of ear issues. While both have an L-shaped ear canal that makes it easy for moisture and debris to get trapped inside, it’s more common for veterinarians to find ear mites in cat ears and bacterial or yeast infections in dog ears.

Some dogs are more prone to ear problems because of floppy ears, narrow or hairy ear canals, allergies, or frequent exposure to water. Cats generally develop ear infections less often than dogs, and infections in cats are often linked to another underlying problem.

Because ear conditions can cause similar symptoms, looking at those alone isn't enough to determine the right treatment.

Routine ear care and cleaning

Healthy ears generally don't need frequent cleaning, and over-cleaning can irritate the ear canal. Ask your veterinarian to help you figure out if your pet needs ear cleaning and how often.

For routine care:

• Check your pet’s ears regularly for redness, swelling, unusual odor, or discharge.
• Use a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner if cleaning is recommended.
• Gently wipe away loosened debris with gauze or a cotton ball.
• Never push cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.
• Flush or clean your pet’s ears with a vet-approved ear cleaner after swimming or bathing.

For step-by-step instructions:

If your pet's ear is painful, red, swollen, or producing discharge, skip home cleaning and schedule an exam. Cleaning an infected or painful ear won’t treat the issue and can cause more discomfort.

Common ear problems in pets

Ear problems can cause similar symptoms, but the causes and treatments can be very different. Use these guides to learn more about the signs you’re seeing and what to do next.

Ear infections

Ear infections commonly cause head shaking, scratching, redness, swelling, odor, discharge, and ear pain. Symptoms of inner ear infections result in more balance-related issues. In dogs, infections are often associated with an underlying problem such as allergies, trapped moisture, or ear anatomy. A veterinarian can use an otoscope exam and ear cytology to determine what is causing the infection.

Ear mites

Ear mites are tiny, highly contagious parasites that live in the ear canal. They can cause intense itching, head shaking, and dark, dry debris that may look like coffee grounds.

Ear mites are especially common in kittens and can spread between pets that live together. Learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent them:

Yeast infections

Yeast overgrowth can cause itching, redness, discharge, and a distinctive musty or corn-chip-like odor. Yeast infections are especially common in dogs and may be caused by underlying allergies or other skin problems.

Learn more about the signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatment:

Itching and scratching

Occasional ear scratching can happen for many reasons, but persistent scratching or pawing at the ear can signal an ear infection, mites, allergies, or another problem. Head shaking is another common sign that something is irritating the ear.

If your dog keeps scratching, read about possible causes and guidance on when to see a veterinarian:

Signs your pet's ears need a vet

Ear problems often need more than routine cleaning. Schedule a veterinary exam if your pet has:

  frequent head shaking

  persistent scratching or pawing at the ears

  redness or swelling

  brown, yellow, or unusual discharge

  strong or unusual odor

  pain or sensitivity when the ear is touched

  skin that's scratched or rubbed raw around the ear

  head tilt or problems with balance

  ear problems that keep coming back

  a visible foreign object or mass/tumor

Ear problems rarely resolve on their own or with simple ear cleaner. An exam will identify whether the cause is yeast, bacteria, mites, allergies, a foreign object, or another condition so your pet can get the appropriate treatment.

How Banfield helps with ear health

A vet exam is the best way to determine what's causing an ear problem. Your Banfield veterinary team can examine the ear with an otoscope and, when needed, examine an ear sample under a microscope to look for yeast, bacteria, or parasites. For pets with recurring ear problems, your veterinarian can also look for underlying causes such as allergies and help develop a long-term care plan.

Optimum Wellness Plans^® are a great way to make ear care more affordable. All packages include unlimited office visits and an ear cytology*. Explore OWPs

Pet ear care FAQs

Medically reviewed by Diana Luplow, DVM

*One ear cytology is included in the first year of their plan and may be added as a customization after.

Important Notice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet's health or medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional veterinary advice based on information from this page.