What should I do if my dog’s ear infection keeps coming back?
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Read time: 3 minutes
Overview
If your dog’s ear infection keeps coming back, it usually means there’s an underlying reason that hasn’t been fully addressed. It could be linked to moisture, allergies, wax build-up, ear shape, or something in the ear canal, so it’s worth looking at the pattern and not just the latest flare-up.
There are a few sensible things you can check at home, but repeated ear infections often need a vet to work out what’s driving them.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the problem tends to return after bathing, swimming, grooming, or wet walks.
2. Look for redness, swelling, discharge, a bad smell, scabs, or signs the ear feels hot.
3. Notice whether your dog is scratching, head shaking, rubbing the ear, or holding the ear differently.
4. Check if one ear keeps flaring up or whether both ears are affected.
5. Think about whether your dog has any ongoing skin itchiness, paw licking, or seasonal flare-ups that might point to an allergy pattern.
6. Make a note of any ear cleaning products, shampoos, or home care steps you’ve used, and whether things improved or got worse afterwards.
7. Check for wax build-up or visible dirt, but don’t put anything deep into the ear canal.
8. If your dog has dropped their head, seems sore, or doesn’t want the ear touched, treat it as more than a routine irritation.
Common Causes
The most common reason ear infections keep returning is an underlying issue such as allergies. Dogs with skin sensitivity often get repeated ear inflammation alongside itchy skin, sore paws or tummy irritation.
Moisture and trapped wax are also common, especially in dogs that swim, get bathed often, or have floppy ears that don’t dry easily.
Foreign material, excess hair in the ear, or ongoing ear shape and ventilation issues can also make the ear more prone to repeated problems.
Less commonly, recurrent infections can be linked to ear mites, a deeper problem in the ear canal, or a mix of several factors happening together.
What To Do
Keep a simple record of when the problem starts, what the ear looks and smells like, and whether anything seems to trigger it. This can really help your vet spot a pattern.
Keep the ears dry after bathing or swimming, but avoid poking around inside the ear or using random home remedies. If you’ve been told how to clean your dog’s ears, stick to the method and frequency you were given.
It can also help to note any skin, diet, or seasonal changes at the same time, because recurring ear infections are often part of a bigger pattern rather than a stand-alone issue.
Products That May Help
For ongoing ear and grooming routines, a general pet care collection may be useful as part of keeping your dog clean, comfortable and easier to monitor between flare-ups.
Related Questions
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Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.