why do dogs ears smell so bad?

Answer 1

maybe you need to clean his ears and quit smelling them . i don't have that problum . sorry i can't help you . but i noticed if you keep their ears cleaned and treated for ear mites they seem alot happier .

Answer 2

If your dogs ears smell bad, there is an infection. Go see the vet for the proper medication and training on ear cleaning, which will prevent or help prevent ear infections. Many times, ear infections are a secondary symptom of an allergy. I bet your dog has floppy ears, right?

Answer 3

Dogs ears should not smell bad. If your dogs ears smell bad have the vet check them. The dog could have an ear infection or ear mites.

Answer 4

Often it's a sign of infection... yeast infection is a common type that gets in dog's ears. Ear infections are more common in dogs with hanging ears (basset hound) than dogs with pointy ears (papillon). The dog should be brought to the vet. I was told by my vet that dogs also sweat through their ears, so that's also a reason for a bad smell. Smelly ears should always be checked by a vet.

Answer 5

They don't if your dogs ears smell it could be a sign of an ear infection. Needs to see a vet.

Answer 6

This is probably an ear infection, or it could be ear mites. How often do you clean your dogs ears? If you have a dog whose ears hang down they are more prone to ear problems. Clean your dogs ears if you have not already, if they have dark brownish red stuff in them, it is probably an infection or ear mites. If this is the case, take your doggy to the vet. I hope your doggy's ears clear up soon.

Answer 7

If your dogs' ears stink it may be that they are infected, very dirty or the dog has mites. Take him to a Vet and get the examined and cleaned.

Answer 8

Ear infection, as a "diagnosis", is a multifactorial issue, with causes that are neither simple to evaluate nor to treat.

* Most (approx.80%) ear infections are caused by allergies, even if only one ear is involved.

* Those that are not are caused by something specific, like water in the ear from swimming, wax trapped in the ear canal by hair, structurally abnormal ear canal (Sharpeis have tiny canals,as a breed), or something actually falling into the ear canal (e.g. shepherds that have ears like Venus Fly Traps!).

* Because of the allergic nature of most ear infections, the infection is actually a SECONDARY problem--you can treat the infection but the allergy is still there, so you need some sort of MAINTENANCE approach to most ear problems. This means, treat the immediate problem first; once that is resolved, go after the underlying cause and try to keep it from getting out of hand again. Sometimes application of an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-yeast medication 2 - 3 times a week, in between episodes of infection, can keep the infection from coming back for a much longer period of time. THESE EAR PROBLEMS ARE NEVER CURED! THEY ARE MERELY CONTROLLED..

* Yeast infections are the most common secondary infection found in ears (and in other skin areas where there is little air circulation, like feet, "arm pits," groin, anal area, neck folds). Although a yeast infection can be readily diagnosed with a microscopic smear, they also have a characteristic look and smell: moist, medium- to dark-brown discharge with a very "doggy," semi-sweet, but sort of rancid smell. If it smells like rotten chicken (yuck!), then it is probably a Pseudomonas infection, which is another secondary infection that is much more difficult to treat. These bacterial infections have a whitish or creamy moist or liquid discharge. If suspected, a culture and sensitivity is often advisable. There are other types of infections, but these two are the "biggies."

* Long-standing or recurrent ear infections frequently cause perforation of the ear drum and entry of the infection into the middle ear. These cases need high-dose, broad-spectrum, long-term (6 - 12 weeks!) oral antibiotic therapy also.

* Severe infections usually require one or more thorough ear flushes under heavy sedation or anesthesia in order to remove enough of the debris to allow the medication to reach the appropriate site.

* Ear surgery to open the canal is an option in refractory cases but should always be considered a last resort. If it is offered to you early in the course of treatment, consider being referred to a dermatologist before making any decision on surgery.

A word of caution about over-use ear cleansers: No matter how gentle they are supposed to be, any cleanser is irritating. If an infection is present, no cleanser by itself, no matter how good a type it is, will be the ONLY answer in treating an infection. I generally recomment NOT using a cleanser more frequently than once a week, except under special circumstances. You should also be treating the infection with medication. My favorite cleanser, although I don't want to promote a specific brand in this forum, contains acetic acid and boric acid in a very gentle base.


One of the earliest common manifestations of a food allergy may be recurrent ear infections. To put it simply, most dog ear infections are caused by dog allergies. When people suffer from allergies they experience symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. Dogs on the other hand experience symptoms like licking paws, itchy skin, foul odor and ear infections. Usually, we treat the symptom with creams, ointments and other medications. The problem clears up only to return when the treatment stops.

Believe me, you are not alone. Many people have dogs who suffer from allergies. I personally believe that the vast majority of dog allergy problems we see today have their roots in poor nutrition. Imagine eating a hamburger for breakfast lunch and dinner, year after year. My guess is you would start to have some problems (ear or otherwise) yourself. Yet this is how we feed our dogs. Most dogs eat one brand of dog food over their entire life and develop allergies related to diet deficiencies. ?!Surprise!?

CHANGE YOUR DOGS FOOD!

Answer 9

your dogs ears shouldn't stink and if they do your dog may have an ear infection, You should take him/her to the vet

Answer 10

probably because no one has cleaned them and infection has set in. get him/her to the vet for a thorough cleaning and cleaning solution to follow up with. antibiotics may be necessary if it's an infection.