What does an unhealthy dog's ear look like?
Ear problems tend to cause swelling, redness, pain, a bad smell, itchiness, and head shaking. If you Read More
Why is the inside of my dog's ear dry and crusty?
Dena Bartoletti
2025-10-15 19:46:22
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The inside of your dog's ear may be dry and crusty due to an ear mite infection. Ear mites can cause your dog's ears to produce a dry black ear discharge. An ear mite infection will cause your dog’s ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also cause your dog's ears to become irritated, causing them to look red and inflamed. Irritation in your dog's ear can be caused by many other things, including allergies, or a bacterial or yeast ear infection. It's not always easy to confirm the presence of ear mites in a dirty ear, so ear drops are useful as they can also be effective against yeast and bacteria infections. Ear mites live on the skin of the ear canal and feed off ear wax and skin oils.
Maymie Spencer
2025-10-06 03:08:03
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One sign your dog may have mites is a crusty, blackish-brown ear discharge, which often looks like dried shoe polish.
A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an ear infection, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming.
Left untreated, ear problems in dogs can result in severe pain, hematomas, balance problems, and even deafness.
Gently pull back your dog's ears and have a quick look inside.
What you should see is a clean, pink ear canal.
If you notice discharge, redness, swelling, or odor, it's time to talk to the vet.
Each time your dog's ears get inflamed, the wax glands inside become bigger and more active, while the ear canal scars and narrows, making it more likely to have problems in the future.
Help your dog's ears stay healthy by taking these steps: Inspect your dog's ears every two weeks, checking for dirt, odor, and foreign bodies.
You can remove visible dirt with a cotton ball soaked with a canine ear cleaning solution, or by wrapping a damp cloth around your finger and gently cleaning the outer ear.
If your dog swims a lot or tends to get ear infections, ask your vet about products that dry out the ear canal and prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast.
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Maxwell Weber
2025-10-06 01:18:47
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Allergies to food, medicine, environmental factors, or even something as simple as plastic bowls can spark an allergic reaction that causes drying out of the skin on the ears, resulting in scaly patches.
A lack of essential nutrients, such as omega 3 fatty acids, can cause dry and unhealthy skin conditions.
Fleas can cause dry and itchy dog ears.
They can also cause an allergic reaction leading to swelling and redness or oozing, crusty skin.
The inner folds of your dog’s ears are dark and moist—the ideal spot for bacteria and yeast to flourish.
If your dog is constantly scratching at his ears, the problem might relate to an underlying infection in the ear canal.
If your dog’s ears are particularly foul-smelling or emitting a discharge, it’s time for a vet visit!
Lola has Addison’s disease and takes a steroid daily, this has caused havoc on her skin and worst of all ears.
They were so dry and crusty.
Kayden Wolff
2025-10-06 00:19:13
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Crusty dog ears can result from various issues, ranging from minor irritations to more severe conditions. Allergies and Sensitivities Dogs, like humans, can be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites, or mold. When a dog experiences an allergic reaction, their immune system responds by causing inflammation, redness, and irritation in the ears, leading to crustiness as the skin becomes dry and flaky. Ear Infections Bacterial or yeast infections can develop in a dog’s ears, leading to inflammation, discharge, and a crusty appearance. Parasites, such as ear mites, live inside the ear canal, causing intense itching and discomfort. As your dog scratches and shakes their head in response, the skin in and around the ears can become irritated and develop crusty patches. Managing allergies typically involves identifying and eliminating the allergen from the dog’s environment or diet, which requires consulting with your veterinarian for a thorough evaluation and proper management plan. Ear mites are highly contagious, so if you suspect your dog has them, have them examined by your veterinarian.
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Tessie Prohaska
2025-10-05 22:44:33
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: 18
Yeast infections can make your dog’s ears feel dry, crusty, and irritated. Ear infections are another common issue that can lead to dry, painful ears. These infections can be caused by bacteria or yeast, and they often result from trapped moisture or debris inside the ear canal. If your dog’s ears are dry, itchy, or inflamed, allergies might be the cause. A poor diet or environmental stress can also contribute to dry ears. Dogs that aren’t getting enough of the right nutrients might have dry, flaky skin, including on their ears. Environmental factors like dry air or excessive humidity can also dry out your dog’s skin, including their ears. Regular ear cleanings can help reduce the itching and prevent further irritation.