Warm Ears in Dogs

I don’t know about you, but the ears are my favorite part of a dog. They’re always so soft and strokable and warm. Do you know that doggy ears can be too warm, though? They might be nice to stroke and hold, but there are a few things you should know about warm ears in dogs.

Why don’t we take a closer look?

Content:

1. Is It Normal for Dog's Ears to Be Warm?
2. What Does it Mean if My Dog’s Ears Are Warm?
3. Warm Ears Dog Breeds
4. Does Your Pooch Have a Fever?
5. Why Are My Dogs Ears Hot and Red?
6. Why Do My Dogs Get Hot Ears at Night?
7. Why Are My Dog’s Ears Hot and Bleeding?
8. What to Do About a Dog with Hot Ears and Vomiting
9. How to Treat Hot Dog Ears Without Going to the Vet
10. FAQ

Is It Normal for Dog's Ears to Be Warm?

To a certain extent, yes, it is normal for your dog’s ears to be warm – but not hot.

1. Humans have an average body temperature of between 97.7 and 99.5 °F (36.5 to 37.5°C).
2. Your dog’s body temperature is a little higher: 99.5 to 102.5 °F (37.5 to 39.5°C).

It is normal for your dog – and their ears – to be warmer than yours. It is also normal for your dog to feel warm or hot after exercising or moving around. If they present with hot ears and other symptoms, however, it could be a sign that something isn’t quite right.

Some dogs and breeds are prone to warmer ears than others, and it will also depend on where you live and what the climate is. If it’s warm outside, everyone’s ears are warm!

What Does it Mean if My Dog’s Ears Are Warm?

If your dog’s ears are warm, it probably means nothing at all. If your dog’s ears are warm and they have other symptoms, or if your pup’s ears are hot rather than just warm, it’s time to act.

Have you taken your dog swimming recently? Or have they had a bath? Jumped in the backyard pool? Water in the ear canal can cause pain, discomfort, swelling, warming, and inflammation in and around the ear.

Warm Ears Dog Breeds

The dog breeds that tend to have warmer than average ears are the ones with really long and flappy ears. The length can cover the cavity, which can lock in things that go on to cause blockages plus moisture.

The following long-eared dog breeds experience warm ears and ear problems more frequently than others:

• Bloodhound;
• Basset hound;
• Afghan hound;
• Cocker spaniel;
• Beagle;
• Dachshund;
• Havanese;
• Papillon;
• Welsh corgi;
• English, Irish, and other setters;
• And many more.

Does Your Pooch Have a Fever?

If yes, you should take them to the vet. A high temperature, also known as a fever, is a sign of infections and other medical conditions that require treatment.

You can check your dog’s temperature using a thermometer, but a vet will be able to check if you don’t have a dog-specific one. It is not recommended to use the same thermometer used for human members of your household.

A high temperature (fever) in dogs is 103 °F and upwards.

Read more: Dog Fever: Everything You Need to Know

Why Are My Dogs Ears Hot and Red?

According to vet research, hot and red ears could be a sign of an ear infection, which is quite common in dogs during warm/hot weather. Infection usually comes with the following other symptoms:

• Swollen ear(s);
• Oozing pus/colored discharge;
• Pawing/scratching the ear(s);
• Tilting the head to one side;
• Unusual doggy behavior (such as aggression, excessive crying or whining, acting fearful towards you);
• Weird/unpleasant smell from the ear(s);
• High temperature/fever.

Allergies can also cause warm or hot ears in dogs, along with redness, and similar (although not as bad) ear infection symptoms/blockages are another culprit. Alongside water and wax buildup, foreign objects, polyps, tumors, and even benign moles or cysts are common culprits of blockages that cause warm ears in dogs.

Why Do My Dogs Get Hot Ears at Night?

First and foremost, is your heating on? Has your pup been sleeping in front of the radiator? There are a lot of variables to take into consideration.

If your pet’s hot or warm ears at night are unusual or accompanied by other symptoms, it could be the case that your pup is suffering from a buildup of ear wax.

After a long day of running around, eating, drinking, barking, and generally living a doggy little life, it wouldn’t be that unusual for any medical condition to flare up – including allergies, ear mites, infections, etc.

Why Are My Dog’s Ears Hot and Bleeding?

Trauma can cause hot, bleeding, and swelling of the ears. If your pup has run into the coffee table in the living room, for example, there can be some damage. This damage might hurt or itch, causing the warmth. Depending on the level of trauma, there can also be blood, inflammation, pus, and more.

If your poor pooch has sustained an injury that doesn’t get treated, things could get worse. A wound can easily get infected, especially if you aren’t in the habit of clearing or drying your dog’s ears on a regular basis.

Read more: How To Clean Your Dog's Ears?

What to Do About a Dog with Hot Ears and Vomiting

A dog with hot ears and vomiting as symptoms is likely suffering from an infection, but your vet will need to perform diagnostic tests to find out for sure. If it is the case that your pup has an infection or similar condition that requires treatment, they will probably not get better without said treatment. Your vet will be able to come up with a treatment and care plan.

You will need to ensure that your pup has plenty of fresh water if they are vomiting, and you will want to keep a very close eye on them. If you have an interactive pet camera, use it to monitor your pet when you’re not in the room or house. Dehydration is a very real threat with vomiting. Alongside fresh water, you can offer your poorly pooch ice cubes. If they have hot and painful ears, however, the chewing action might agitate the pain.

How to Treat Hot Dog Ears Without Going to the Vet

If your pet requires medical treatment, such as antibiotics for a persistent infection, refusing to get that medical treatment might not be the best decision. Not only that, but you could also be playing with fire. An untreated wound can easily get infected, and that infection can easily turn into potentially fatal sepsis if it is not treated.

It is a good idea to get into the habit of regularly cleaning your pup’s ears, especially if you have a long-eared breed. Your vet will also be able to advise breed and condition-specific tips.

If you have any concerns about your dog’s ears, or if the medical conditions and symptoms listed above are ringing true with you, have a chat with a vet. They’ll be able to put your mind at ease if it’s nothing to worry about and administer treatment if it is necessary.

Emergency Fund

If you don’t have the time or money to keep rushing your pampered pooch to the emergency vet, you should check out Petcube’s Emergency Fund service. You can have a chat with a fully qualified, licensed, and trained vet about the symptoms your dog or cat has and receive up to $3000 in emergency funds in the case of an emergency.

FAQ

Why are my dog’s ears hot but no fever?

Allergies, ear mites, bacterial or viral infections, trauma, and hot temperatures/climate can all cause your pooch to have warm or hot ears. There are other underlying medical conditions that cause a wide variety of ear-related symptoms. Just one of these is hypothyroidism.

What can I do to prevent hot ears and other problems in dogs?

Regular cleaning, regular hair trimming, and regular monitoring of your pet is the best way to prevent any problems. You should dry your pup’s ears after they have been in the water, and make sure you don’t introduce them to environments that might agitate any allergies.