PMD Blog – Why Is My Dog Scratching Its Ears?

Why Is My Dog Scratching Its Ears?

What the ear is trying to tell you — and how to respond.

Quick Answer

Persistent ear scratching almost always means something is causing irritation inside the ear.
Ear infections are the most common cause in dogs — bacterial, yeast, or a mix of both.
Ear mites produce a distinctive dark, crumbly discharge and are very itchy.
Allergies are the most frequent underlying driver of recurring ear problems in dogs.
Never put anything into the ear canal without veterinary guidance — the wrong product can cause damage, particularly if the eardrum is affected.

Occasional ear scratching is normal — a brief scratch after a walk, a shake of the head to clear water after a swim. It's when the scratching becomes frequent, intense, or accompanied by other signs that something specific is going on inside the ear.

The ear canal in dogs is shaped differently from ours — it runs vertically downward before turning horizontally toward the eardrum. This shape makes it easier for moisture, debris, and wax to collect, which is one reason ear problems are so common. Certain breeds are significantly more prone than others.

Higher-risk breeds: Dogs with pendulous, floppy ears — Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Labrador Retrievers, and Beagles — have reduced airflow into the ear canal and are particularly prone to infections. Dogs with narrow or very hairy ear canals, such as Poodles and Schnauzers, also have higher risk. If you have one of these breeds, routine ear monitoring is worth building into your care schedule.

Common Causes of Ear Scratching in Dogs

01 Ear Infection (Otitis Externa)

Infection of the outer ear canal is the most common reason dogs scratch their ears. These infections can be bacterial, yeast (Malassezia), or a mixture of both. They're often triggered by underlying allergies, retained moisture after swimming or bathing, or the anatomy of the ear canal itself. In dogs with allergies, the ear canal becomes inflamed and this creates ideal conditions for secondary infection.

Signs alongside scratching include redness and swelling inside the ear, discharge, an unpleasant smell, and clear discomfort when the ear is touched or examined. Ear infections need veterinary diagnosis — the type of organism involved determines which treatment is needed, and using the wrong product can make things worse or delay resolution.

02 Ear Mites

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) cause intense irritation inside the ear and produce a characteristic dark, dry, crumbly discharge that's often described as resembling coffee grounds or dark powder. They're more common in dogs that spend time around cats or in multi-pet households. The scratching associated with ear mites tends to be particularly intense and may involve rubbing the head on the ground or furniture.

Ear mites need specific treatment. Standard ear cleaners won't eliminate them. Your vet can confirm the diagnosis by examining a sample of the discharge under a microscope, and can then recommend an appropriate treatment.

What Does the Discharge Look Like?

Dark and Crumbly

Often ear mites. Dry, coffee-ground-like texture. May be in large amounts.

Brown / Waxy

Often yeast infection or wax build-up. May have a musty smell.

Yellow / Green

Often bacterial infection. Wet appearance. Usually has an unpleasant smell.

These are general pointers only — a vet examination and microscopy are needed for accurate diagnosis.

03 Allergies

Environmental or food allergies cause inflammation of the skin lining the ear canal, making it itchy, red, and prone to secondary infection. In dogs with allergies, ear problems are often the first or most prominent sign — and they tend to recur. A dog that gets repeated ear infections despite correct treatment should be investigated for underlying allergies, as treating only the infection without addressing the allergy is unlikely to resolve the problem long-term.

Both seasonal environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) and year-round food sensitivities can drive ear inflammation. The pattern of when ear problems occur — whether seasonal or year-round — can help your vet narrow down which type is more likely.

04 Grass Seed or Foreign Body

Arrow-shaped grass seeds — common in UK summers and early autumn — can enter the ear canal during walks through long grass. Their barbed structure prevents them from moving back out, and they can cause sudden, intense pain and scratching, often with the dog pawing frantically at the ear and showing visible distress.

Sudden intense ear scratching after a walk through grass needs same-day veterinary attention. A grass seed in the ear canal can cause serious damage if not removed promptly. Never try to remove anything from inside the ear yourself.

05 Water in the Ear

Retained moisture after swimming or bathing triggers head shaking and ear scratching as the dog attempts to clear it. This usually resolves as the ear dries out. The concern is that repeated moisture exposure creates an environment favourable to infection — dogs that swim frequently are significantly more prone to ear infections. If scratching continues beyond a day after swimming, or the ear looks or smells abnormal, a vet check is worth arranging.

06 Wax Build-Up

Some dogs produce more ear wax than others, and in breeds with narrow, hairy, or floppy ear canals, wax can accumulate and cause itching without becoming infected. Routine ear cleaning using a veterinary-recommended cleaner helps manage this in dogs prone to it — but cleaning frequency and technique should be guided by a vet, as over-cleaning can disrupt the ear's natural environment and actually cause more problems than it solves.

07 Skin Condition Affecting the Ear Flap

Sometimes the scratching isn't caused by something inside the ear canal but by a skin condition affecting the ear flap (pinna) itself — allergic skin disease, contact irritation, or bacterial or yeast infection of the outer skin. The ear flap may look red, scaly, or thickened, and the dog will scratch at the external ear rather than dig at the canal. Examining both the outer ear and inside the canal helps distinguish between the two.

08 Middle or Inner Ear Infection

Infection deeper in the ear — affecting the middle ear (otitis media) or inner ear (otitis interna) — is more serious than outer ear infection. It can cause the same scratching symptoms but may also produce balance problems, head tilting, loss of coordination, or facial nerve abnormalities. If outer ear infections are repeatedly occurring or not responding to treatment, a deeper problem may be contributing. This needs veterinary investigation, often including imaging.

A dog scratching its ears alongside head tilting, stumbling, or losing balance needs prompt veterinary assessment — this combination can indicate inner ear disease.

What to Check Before Calling Your Vet

Without putting anything into the ear canal, there's still useful information you can gather:

Is one ear affected or both? (One ear often suggests a local cause; both ears more often suggests a systemic one like allergies)
Is there visible discharge? What colour and texture is it?
Is there a smell coming from the ear?
Is the skin inside the ear flap red or swollen?
Is the dog also shaking its head, tilting its head, or losing balance?
Is the dog yelping or pulling away when you touch near the ear?
When did the scratching start — was it sudden, or has it been building gradually?
Did it start after a walk through long grass? (Grass seed risk)

Contact Your Vet Same Day

Sudden, intense ear scratching after a walk through long grass — possible grass seed
Your dog is in obvious pain or distress when the ear area is touched
Ear scratching alongside head tilting, stumbling, or loss of balance
There is bleeding from the ear
The ear flap is swollen or puffy — possible aural haematoma developing
Your dog is yelping and can't be settled

Grass seeds can cause serious damage within hours if not removed. Same-day attention is needed — do not attempt to remove anything from inside the ear yourself.

When to Contact Your Vet

Ear scratching has been going on for more than a day or two
The ear looks or smells abnormal in any way
Discharge is visible inside the ear
Your dog is also shaking its head regularly
Ear infections keep coming back — this suggests an underlying cause needs investigating
You're unsure whether it's safe to clean the ear at home

How Pet Med Direct Can Help

Pet Med Direct stocks ear care products for dogs in the UK. Some ear cleaners and maintenance products are available without a prescription. Prescription ear drops — including those for bacterial infections, yeast infections, and ear mites — require a valid veterinary prescription and a confirmed diagnosis.

Never use an ear treatment without knowing what's causing the problem. Some conditions are made worse by certain products, and using the wrong treatment can delay proper resolution. If your vet has diagnosed an ear condition and recommended a specific product, browse the Pet Med Direct shop to check availability.

Some ear treatments require a valid veterinary prescription. Pet Med Direct can only supply prescription medicines after the prescription has been checked. Always follow your vet's advice and the directions on the medicine label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I clean my dog's ears at home?

For some dogs, periodic ear cleaning with an appropriate veterinary ear cleaner is recommended — particularly breeds prone to wax build-up. But cleaning should only be done with a product appropriate for dogs, in the right way, and after your vet has confirmed there's no eardrum damage that would make cleaning unsafe. If the ear looks abnormal, smells, or has discharge, a vet should assess it before you put anything in the canal.

My dog's ear infections keep coming back. Why?

Recurring ear infections almost always have an underlying cause. Allergies — both environmental and food-related — are the most common driver. The allergy inflames the ear canal skin, which then becomes susceptible to secondary bacterial or yeast infection. Treating each infection individually without addressing the allergy means the cycle continues. A vet can help investigate the underlying pattern and develop a longer-term management plan.

How do I know if my dog has ear mites rather than an infection?

Ear mites typically produce a dark, dry, crumbly discharge — often described as looking like coffee grounds — in large quantities. Bacterial infections produce a wet, yellow or brown discharge. Yeast infections produce a darker brown, waxy discharge with a musty smell. These aren't definitive — they overlap — which is why a vet examination and microscopic assessment of a discharge sample is the reliable way to confirm which organism is present and treat accordingly.

Can I use cotton buds in my dog's ear?

No. Cotton buds push debris deeper into the narrow ear canal rather than removing it, and can damage the delicate structures inside. They're not appropriate for cleaning dogs' ears. If debris needs removing from deep in the canal, your vet or vet nurse can do this safely using appropriate equipment and positioning.

My dog scratches one ear only. Does that mean it's more likely to be a foreign body?

Scratching concentrated on one ear does increase the likelihood of a localised cause — a grass seed, a foreign body, or a unilateral infection. Allergies and ear mites more commonly affect both ears simultaneously, though not always equally. One ear scratching that started suddenly after a walk is particularly worth assessing promptly.

How can I reduce my dog's risk of ear problems?

For dogs prone to ear issues, drying the ears carefully after swimming or bathing reduces moisture-driven infection risk. For floppy-eared breeds, regular monitoring lets you catch problems early. For dogs with known allergies, consistent allergy management reduces the frequency of ear flare-ups. Your vet can advise on a routine appropriate for your dog's specific anatomy and history.

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This this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice.
If you are concerned with your dog’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian.