What should I check if my dog’s ear is painful to touch?
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Overview
If your dog’s ear is painful to touch, the most useful thing to check first is whether there are signs of irritation such as redness, heat, discharge, swelling or a bad smell. A sore ear can happen for several reasons, including infection, a build-up of wax, a scratch, a foreign body, or irritation from scratching and shaking. You can often spot useful clues at home, but you can’t safely rule out all causes without a vet examining the ear.
Things To Check
1. See whether the pain is in one ear or both, and whether your dog is shaking their head or tilting it.
2. Look closely for redness, swelling, heat, discharge, scabs, a cut, or dark waxy debris around the ear opening.
3. Check whether there’s an unpleasant smell, as this can be a useful sign that something is going on inside the ear.
4. Notice if your dog is scratching the ear, rubbing their head on furniture, or reacting sharply when you touch the ear flap.
5. Think about whether the problem started after swimming, bathing, grooming, walking in long grass, or a muddy outing.
6. Check for a visible foreign body near the ear, such as a grass seed, but don’t try to dig inside the canal.
7. Watch for other changes such as reduced appetite, low energy, balance problems, or walking strangely.
Common Causes
The most common reasons are ear infection, irritation from excess wax or moisture, and damage from scratching or head shaking. Allergies can also make the ears inflamed and sore, and some dogs develop repeated ear trouble because their ears stay warm, damp or poorly ventilated.
Less commonly, pain may be linked to a foreign body, a bite, a lump, or problems deeper in the ear. If your dog seems very uncomfortable, keeps getting ear trouble, or the ear looks swollen or damaged, a vet check is sensible.
What To Do
Keep the ear dry and avoid poking around inside it. Don’t use cotton buds, oils, or human ear drops unless your vet has told you to. If your dog will tolerate it, you can gently wipe away dirt from the outside of the ear flap with a soft, clean damp cloth, but stop if it hurts.
Make a note of when the pain started, whether there’s any smell or discharge, and whether it gets worse after swimming, washing or exercise. That information can help your vet work out what’s most likely going on. If your dog is scratching a lot, try to reduce rubbing and keep an eye on the ear so it doesn’t become more irritated.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the ear is very painful, swollen, smelly, has discharge, or if your dog is holding the head to one side, seems unwell, or the pain is getting worse. You should also get advice if the ear was damaged, you suspect a grass seed or foreign body, or the problem keeps coming back.
Products That May Help
If your dog’s ears are prone to getting dirty or a bit smelly, a gentle ear and grooming routine can help you keep an eye on changes and stay on top of everyday care.
Related Questions
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Should I clean my dog’s ears at home?
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.