10 reasons why your dog’s ears are red

Ear infections are one of the most common causes Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources of red ears in dogs. They create inflammation of the inner ear flap, around the ear canal, and/or down in the ear canal. Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria or yeast. Some dog breeds, especially those with large or floppy ears, are more prone to ear infections than others. These breeds include:

• Golden Retrievers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Poodles
• Fox Red Labrador Retrievers
• Basset Hounds
• Beagles
• French Bulldogs

If your dog has an ear infection, they might experience itchiness and swelling, exhibit signs of pain or discomfort like head tilt, shake their head, rub at their ears, or have a foul odor coming from their ears. If you suspect an infection, take your dog to the vet because they’ll need prescribed treatment.

👉 Besides redness, if you see scabs, crusting, pus, or brown material in a dog’s ears, it’s likely an ear infection.

Sunburn can occur in dogs just as it does in humans. A dog’s ear tissue is thin and delicate, making it susceptible to sunburn that can cause redness, inflammation, swelling, and pain. Certain breeds with light-colored fur or thin hair are particularly susceptible to sunburn on their ears, including Dalmatians, Pit Bulls, Boxers, and Whippets.

To prevent sunburn, limit your dog’s exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, apply pet-friendly sunscreen to the ears and other exposed areas, or consider using protective headwear like a doggy visor or hat. If you notice any signs of sunburn on your dog’s ears, take them to a vet for proper treatment to avoid potential complications.

Dogs’ ears easily get dirty due to the L-shape of their ear canals. Doggie ears can become dirty when there’s a buildup of wax and debris, which can ultimately cause a dog’s inner ears to turn red. It’s very important to clean your dog’s ears often so they don’t get irritated or infected.

Ear mites are especially common in puppies and cause severe itchiness. They look like tiny white specks that are hard to see with the naked eye. Ear mites are spread through direct contact and are very contagious to other animals. To diagnose, the vet will swab a sample of your dog’s ear wax to put under a microscope. Treatment varies depending on the course of action your pup’s vet thinks is best.

Dogs with environmental, Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources seasonal, or food allergies often suffer from chronic ear infections. Allergies can cause a dog’s skin to be inflamed, creating the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria — leading to red, infected ears. If you notice your dog scratching or licking their paws excessively at certain times of the year, they’re probably suffering from some type of allergy.

Your dog’s veterinarian can help determine if your pet is indeed suffering from allergies, and what type. There’s no simple test for finding allergies, but food elimination trials and specialized allergy tests can be used to help identify the cause. From there, your vet can prescribe medications to ease your dog’s symptoms and prevent their red ears.

Dogs can get these when outdoors, especially in wooded areas. Fleas and ticks are small disease-carrying bugs that attach to a dog’s body and bite them. The ears are one of the most common areas on a dog’s body where ticks attach. Ticks burrow themselves inside a dog’s skin, causing a small bump, blood, and redness around the area.

When foreign objects like foxtails or grass awns lodge themselves in a dog’s ear, they cause irritation and redness. Grass awns attach to a dog’s skin, often piercing it. If they go unnoticed, they can cause dangerous infections to pass through a dog’s body.

Dogs who engage in sport or field performances are more prone to such foreign objects entering their ears. Along with redness, dogs may experience bleeding or pain. Groom your dog often and assess them for hair mats to prevent foxtails or grass awns from attaching to your dog.

Aural hematomas (ear hematomas) occur when blood accumulates between the layers of a dog’s ear flap and are usually the result of a dog having an ear infection or irritation. This condition causes a dog’s ear flap to be swollen and fluid-filled like a water balloon. Ear hematomas can form due to constant head shaking. There are many blood vessels in a dog’s ear flap. Head shaking can cause one of these blood vessels to rupture, creating a hematoma.

There are both benign and cancerous ear masses in canines. An ear polyp is a benign mass. They may grow and break open if cancerous, causing bleeding, infection, and redness. Polyps and cancerous masses can grow in an ear canal and lead to recurring ear infections as they trap moisture down in the canals.

Hypothyroidism Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources occurs when a dog’s thyroid gland is underactive, causing their metabolic rates to slow. Hypothyroidism can cause dogs to have recurring ear infections. In fact, hypothyroidism causes dogs to be susceptible to infection in general.