All the Reasons Your Dog’s Ears Smell

If you've noticed your dog's ears smelling funky, you're probably wondering what's causing the odor, and how to fix it. Remember, smelly ears aren't just unpleasant; they often signal serious pain and discomfort and lead to complications that affect your dog’s hearing.

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Content:

1. Common Reasons Your Dog’s Ears Smell Bad
2. Different Smells and What They Mean
3. How to Treat and Prevent Smelly Dog Ears
4. Final Thoughts

Common Reasons Your Dog’s Ears Smell Bad

There are several reasons why your dog's ears might smell strange, including infections from bacteria or yeast, trapped moisture, allergies, or even ear mites. Dogs with long, floppy ears, like Cocker Spaniels, Doodle Mixes, or Basset Hounds, are especially prone to ear issues because their ears trap moisture, creating a cozy home for infections.

Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Jangi Bajwa explains, "Common culprits include bacteria like Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium. Malassezia yeast infections are also very common and can cause severe discomfort and itching, potentially leading to serious complications if left untreated."

Pro-tip: Keeping your dog well-hydrated can help maintain healthy skin and ears, so using something like the Petcube Fountain is a good way to help them maintain a healthy skin barrier and prevent too much bad bacteria or fungi from causing issues.

Different Smells and What They Mean

While it’s impossible to tell from smell alone what kind of infection your dog may have, some kinds of bacteria or yeast are associated with a specific stench. Let’s go over what a dog’s ear smell can tell you:

Cheesy or Musty Smell

If you smell anything cheesy, or moldy, it’s most likely a yeast infection caused by Malassezia. Your dog might also experience redness, itching, and swelling. In fact, most smelly ears come from this kind of infection, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Many dogs are allergic to Malassezia, so it causes severe inflammation and itchiness and can lead to major complications if left untreated.

Sour, Fishy, or Vinegar Scents

This kind of odor could mean either a bacterial or fungal infection. Occasionally, fishy smells can also signal other issues, like problems with anal glands, bladder, or kidneys, so it's important to confirm the odor is coming from the ears specifically.

Rotting Smells

If a dog’s ears smell like something is rotting (or like poop), this is usually associated with serious bacterial infections or open sores in the ear canal. This type of infection may smell like something rotten and needs urgent veterinary attention.

Garbage or Old Trash Smell

This is usually linked to ear mites, which are tiny parasites that cause dark, coffee-ground-like debris and irritation.

Corn Chips or “Fritos” Smell

This usually means bacteria or yeast buildup. While this "Frito feet" odor is more common on dog paws, it can rarely appear in ears, signaling a stubborn bacterial infection.

How to Treat and Prevent Smelly Dog Ears

Preventing smelly ears means preventing ear infections and I never recommend any kind of DIY home treatment for this. It’s critical to start out by using a gentle, vet-approved ear cleaner regularly, usually once a week, to remove any waxy build-up.

You also need to keep the ears dry. If you have a dog that loves to swim, always clean and dry their ears afterward. The same goes for baths. Moisture in the ears creates an environment where pathogens thrive. So keep them dry and clean, especially in humid environments.

Thereafter, it’s crucial to stay on top of any underlying causes. One of the most common reasons dogs develop ear infection is allergies. These can be to something in the environment like pollen or grass, or to something in the food.

If smelly ears are a recurring issue, then have your dog tested for any underlying allergies. Other possible underlying issues include hormonal issues such as hypothyroidism, parasites like ear mites, foreign objects stuck in the ear, or polyps and tumors.

Persistent odors warrant a vet visit.

One Reddit user emphasizes, "Vet checkup. Don’t mess around with this. Untreated ear infections can lead to serious issues like vestibular problems."

If you’re unsure how serious your dog’s smelly ears are, having the Petcube Emergency Fund ready makes sure you have access to 24/7 online vets you can speak to for advice.

Final Thoughts

Smelly dog ears can be serious and they’re not something worth ignoring, as a mild infection can quickly turn severe and cause complications. Since some infections come from bacteria or yeast that don’t respond easily to most medications, it’s best to always see a vet if this issue shows up.

Never put anything in your dog’s ear (like apple cider vinegar, essential oils, or any other ointment), without speaking to your vet first as the ear is extremely sensitive and it could make the issue so much worse. Smelly ears are a common problem, but because of how painful and uncomfortable ear infections are, the many underlying causes, and the possible complications, it’s always best to see your vet when this issue arises.