What should I do if my dog’s ear looks inflamed? | arlo.® Atlas
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Overview
If your dog’s ear looks inflamed, it could be due to irritation, wax build-up, allergies or an ear infection. You can check a few simple things at home, but you can’t reliably tell the cause just by looking, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on it and speaking to a vet if it doesn’t settle or your dog seems uncomfortable.
Things To Check
1. Check whether one ear or both ears look red, swollen or warmer than usual.
2. Look for discharge, crusting, scabs, bad smell or sticky wax around the ear opening.
3. See if your dog is scratching, rubbing their head, shaking it, or tilting it more than usual.
4. Note whether the ear looks inflamed after swimming, bathing, grooming or a walk in long grass.
5. Gently check if your dog seems sore when the ear is touched, but don’t force the ear open.
6. Look for any signs of flies, grass seeds, cuts, bites or other visible irritation near the ear.
7. Notice if your dog also has skin itching, paw licking or recurring ear problems, as these can be linked.
Common Causes
The most common causes are mild irritation, excess wax, moisture in the ear, allergies and ear infections. These often cause redness, soreness and scratching.
Sometimes an inflamed ear can be due to a foreign body, such as a grass seed, or to a small wound or bite near the ear.
Less commonly, ear inflammation may be linked to deeper ear problems or another skin issue that needs proper treatment from a vet.
What To Do
Keep the ear clean and dry, but don’t put anything into the ear canal unless your vet has told you to. If your dog is shaking or scratching a lot, try to stop them making it worse while you monitor the ear closely.
If the ear looks mildly irritated, make a note of when it started and whether anything seems to trigger it, such as bathing, wet weather or grooming. This can help your vet if the problem continues.
Check whether the ear gets worse over a day or two, and avoid using home remedies that could sting or trap moisture inside the ear.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet if the ear is very painful, very swollen, smelly, has discharge, or your dog keeps scratching or shaking their head. It’s also sensible to get advice if the ear looks inflamed for more than a day or two, or if the problem keeps coming back.
Products That May Help
If your dog has recurring ear or coat hygiene issues, a gentle grooming routine can be useful as part of ongoing care. The Pet Care collection may help support that routine at home.
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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.