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Why Are My Dog's Ears Red?
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 07/24/2017Updated: 10/07/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Ear redness in dogs
Since dogs are always on the go and exploring their environments, their ears can be subjected to anything from harmless ear wax to more harmful dust, mites or more. Healthy ears are a vital part of their well-being, so noticing redness in their ears can be alarming as a pet parent.
While ear redness can sometimes be a minor irritation, it could also indicate a more serious issue. Sometimes, all they’ll need is a good cleaning at home, while other times medication might be necessary.
Understanding the potential causes of red ears and how to address them is crucial for keeping your furry friend happy, healthy and active.
Let’s explore the most common reasons for ear redness in dogs, what it could be a symptom of, and how to treat and prevent the issue.
Common causes of red ears in dogs
Ear infections
Ear infections are one of the most frequent reasons for ear redness in dogs. Bacterial or yeast infections often cause inflammation, resulting in redness and discomfort. Dogs with floppy ears, like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, are more prone to infections due to moisture trapped in the ear canal. Common symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Scratching or pawing at the ears
- Red, swollen ear canal
- Discharge or odor from the ear
Treatment: Ear infections are typically treated with prescription ear drops or oral antibiotics. Regular cleaning can help prevent infections, especially after swimming or bathing.
Allergies
Allergies, whether environmental (pollen, dust, mold) or food-related, can also cause your dog's ears to turn red. An allergic reaction may lead to itchy skin, rashes, and inflamed ear canals, making the ears appear red and irritated. Treatment: Managing allergies may involve dietary changes, antihistamines, or allergy shots. If you suspect food allergies, work with your vet to identify potential triggers and adjust your dog's diet accordingly.
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Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal, causing intense itching, irritation, and redness. They’re more common in puppies, and can unfortunately spread quickly between animals. Other signs of ear mites include a dark discharge and excessive scratching around the ears.Treatment: Ear mites are treated with medicated ear drops prescribed by your vet. Regular cleaning and treatment are also necessary to completely get rid of the mites.
Foreign Objects
Sometimes foreign objects like grass seeds or debris can get lodged in your dog’s ear, causing redness and inflammation. You might notice this since dogs tend to shake their head or scratch excessively when something is stuck in their ear canal.Treatment: If you suspect a foreign object is in your dog’s ear, don’t try to remove it yourself. Visit your vet to ensure the object is safely extracted and the ear is properly cleaned.
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Ear hematomas
Ear hematomas happen when blood vessels in the ear burst, causing the ear flap to swell and turn red. This can happen from trauma, excessive shaking, or scratching due to another underlying condition. Hematomas can be painful for your dog, and may even require surgical intervention.Treatment: A vet can drain the hematoma, and in some cases, surgery may be needed to prevent recurrence. Addressing the underlying cause, such as an infection or allergy, is important to avoid future hematomas.
How to treat red ears in dogs
So how can we as pet parents get rid of our dog’s red ears? Well, the treatment depends on the cause.
If you notice that your dog is getting red ears and seems uncomfortable, the best thing to do first is to inspect the ear yourself. Sometimes, if there’s a foreign body present, you may be able to remove the irritant yourself.
But — it’s important to remember that ears are extremely sensitive. Never stick a Q-tip down inside the canal in order to try to remove an object or excess fluid; this action can cause serious damage to the eardrum.
If you notice that your dog needs to have his ears cleaned, you can either clean them at home, or go to the vet if the cleaning is deeper than you feel comfortable doing.
There are a few very important steps to cleaning your dog’s ears at home:
- Clean the ear with a gentle cleanser, as any infection will cause the area to be sensitive
- Fill the canal with cleaning fluid
- Gently massage the base of the ear in order to move any debris that may be lodged inside
- Allow the ear canal to dry for 10 minutes before using any medications provided by your vet
Keep in mind that you should never use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or Q-tips when cleaning your dog’s ears. The length of treatment will be determined based on the severity of your dog’s ear redness.
Be sure to schedule frequent checkups with your vet to ensure that the healing process is proceeding normally.
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Prevention tips
While some causes of red ears are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk:
- Regular ear checks: Inspect your dog’s ears weekly for any signs of redness, odor, or discharge.
- Routine cleaning: Clean your dog’s ears regularly with a vet-recommended cleaner to prevent buildup of wax and debris.
- Dry ears after swimming: Always dry your dog’s ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing to reduce moisture buildup, which can lead to infections.
- Monitor for allergies: Pay attention to potential allergens in your dog’s diet or environment and work with your vet to manage symptoms effectively.
- Vet checkups: Regular vet visits ensure any issues are caught early before they become more serious.
When to see a vet
If your dog’s ears are red and itchy for more than a day or two, or if they show other concerning symptoms like pain, discharge, or an unpleasant odor, it’s time to consult your vet. Chronic ear problems can lead to more severe conditions, such as hearing loss or persistent infections, if left untreated.
How much does it cost to treat ear redness in dogs?
Treatment cost will vary depending on the cause of your dog’s red ears. For instance, if your dog is diagnosed with ear mites, the average cost of treatment is $250.
If your dog is diagnosed with ear infection due to allergies, the cost of treatment can range from $200 to $3,500 depending on the cost of living and the severity.
If your dog is diagnosed with ear infection due to allergies, the cost of treatment can range from $200 to $3,500 depending on the cost of living and the severity.
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Ears Turning Red Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Shih Tzu
Nine Years
35 found this helpful
35 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My fur baby is shaking his head profusely and his ear is red and I see a faint trace of blood on the cotton swab...please help and recommend an over the counter medicine because going to the vet is NOT an option.
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
35 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, there are no over-the-counter options for ear infections for dogs. Dogs can get ear infections because of yeast or bacteria, or parasites, and the bacteria is fairly specific to dogs. It needs to be treated with the proper antibiotic to get better. Having your dog seen by a veterinarian earlier rather than later will help prevent a painful ear infection, and make it so that you can resolve the problem more quickly. I hope that all goes well for your dog.
Sept. 29, 2020
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LabMix
One Year
16 found this helpful
16 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Ears
Could it just be red from scratching ?
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
16 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Dogs with floppy ears are very prone to ear infections, and if you have noticed that your dog's ears are red and he is scratching, it is likely that he does have an infection of some type. They can get infections from bacterial or Yeast, or parasites, and the best thing to do would be to have him seen by a veterinarian, as they can look at his ears and see what might be causing this problem. They will be able to get medication for him to clear up that infection. I hope that all goes well for him.
Oct. 2, 2020
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French Bulldog
Six Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Ears
My dogs ears seem to get red or flushed after exercise.
It passes. Anything to worry about?
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
If his ears become normal color again when he is calm, it may be normal for him. If they stay red, or he is scratching or rubbing his head, then It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Yorkichon
Ten Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itchy Skin
My dog has a red patch on his back leg and won’t stop licking or nibbling on it. Some of the spots look like they darkened under neath the skin like a black spot and some are raised? Are they infected? Does he need antibiotics or is it just allergies? He doesn’t seem like himself for the past few days. I have washed him with anti fungal shampoo a few times this week but the patch is still there. What should I do?
Aug. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. The lesions that you described could be caused by a bacterial infection, a parasite, or an allergy. If the wash that you were using did not help, it would probably be best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to look at your dogs skin, see what might be causing this problem, and get treatment so that they are more comfortable and the problem resolved. I hope that all goes well!
Aug. 27, 2020
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Jack-a-bee
Dax
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
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Here’s a pic. His name is Dax. His ear has red raised rash that is sometimes more pronounced with odor that comes and goes. It’s been there 2-3 days. He has dark brown gunk that’s like wax with skin flakes and it comes and goes also. He scratches the ear occasionally and has not been shaking his head. It doesn’t seem to hurt. He is mostly indoors, goes outside to potty,does go for runs along dirt road alongside river on ranch several times per week, backyard is mostly dirt with patches of grass due to drought, does not have contact with other dogs except for Rare occasions. We don’t know his history, he just showed up one day and kids fed him. We found owner through Facebook post but he refuses to get him so he’s ours now. We guessed breed and age based on internet lol.
Aug. 23, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Dax may have an ear infection or a parasite that needs treatment. IT would be best to have an examination for him with a veterinarian, as they can look at his ear, see what is happening, and get any treatment that he may need. I hope that all goes well for him, and that you are able to keep him.
Aug. 23, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Charlotte anne
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking Head
Hot Ears
Shaking head, warm ears, it looks fairly clean in her ears. I can tell she’s not feeling her normal self. Her body is alittle warmer then usual. Can I use something over the counter until I can get her to the vet next week ? Please help this is my baby .
Golden Retriever
Captain
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Head Shaking
Itching
Captain suffers from red itchy ears. He has been to the vet several times and does not have an infection. We have tried changing food, treats and different meds. Nothing seems to work. I can't afford thousands of dollars on testing.
Any advice would be helpful.
Chiweenie
Rebel Spirit
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Allergies
Red Ears
Warm Ears And Head
Scratching Areas On Legs And Body
This problem has been going on for as long as I can remember. I've had Rebel since she was 11 weeks old. She's now 3 years and 3 months old, that's a long time for this to be going on. Her ears stick up, so I try to keep them as clean as I can (nobody has told me how to go about cleaning her ears properly). They get red and warm at night mostly, it's not often I see this during the day. It doesn't matter if she's under a blanket or sheet, or not, it happens. She will get up and continue to be playful. Also, when she gets up, the redness seems to go away. The Vet said it's allergies and gave her a month-long-lasting shot this past Wednesday, along with some meds to give her "when necessary". We've changed her food, as well, from Chicken to Lamb flavored food. She eats Hill's Science Diet. I'm not sure what else to do at this point. It's getting costly to keep taking her into the vet, and I don't feel like I'm getting any answers for my little one. I wish she could talk!
Any help or advice would be great. Thank you in advance!
-Mars Vogel
