Though it may seem like a minor thing at first, itchy ears in your dog can escalate quickly. Not only can your dog’s itchy ears disrupt his or her way of life, but itchy ears can disrupt your peace of mind as well. Fortunately, there is usually a solution for the itchiest of ears.

What Causes Itchy Ears in Dogs?

While ear scratching is normal to some extent, if a dog is shaking his or her head frequently and scratching his or her ears excessively, there could be a reason for his or her discomfort. From ear mites and external parasites to obstructions like grass and other foreign materials, ear itchiness can be brought on by a number of factors. You should make an appointment with your veterinarian to figure out the exact cause.

Signs Your Dog Has Itchy Ears

The root of your dog’s ear itching may not be obvious. However, there are some signs you should look for when it comes to your dog’s ear health:

  • Persistent scratching
  • Head shaking or tilting
  • Redness or swelling of the ear canal and outer ear 
  • A dark buildup of wax
  • Ear odor

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is time for a visit to the vet.

Maintaining Ear Health in Dogs

While cleaning your dog’s ears may seem like a good idea, this can actually interfere with your dog’s pH balance. If your dog isn’t experiencing itchy ears or head shaking, you should leave his or her ears alone. If your dog’s ears do need frequent cleaning, your vet will recommend how often you need to clean them and provide you with the proper care instructions.

What to do if Your Dog Has Itchy Ears

A lot of different factors could be causing your dog to have itchy ears. Your first line of defense should be calling your vet to make an appointment. He or she will look at your dog’s history, perform a physical examination, and take any necessary ear cultures in order to pinpoint the cause of your dog’s itchy ears.

A healthy dog requires balance in all aspects of his or her life. One major factor that impacts your dog’s health is diet. Avoderm has a wide variety of food to help ensure your dog is healthy from the inside out.