My puppy's floppy ears are itchy. How do I stop the scratching?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My puppy has long, floppy, hairy ears. She shows extreme signs of itchiness in her ears (but nowhere else) and will not stop scratching them. I clean them regularly and have checked for signs of mites and infection, and have tried soothing drops. There is no mites and her ears look free of discharge. I suspect it is the humidity and possibly pollen getting trapped under her floppy ears, but I'm not sure. I read it can happen with floppy ears. What can I do to help stop and alleviate the itching?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 2nd, 2018
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I would recommend having your vet look in to the ear canals with an otoscope. Sometimes there is discharge deeper in the ear canal that can not be seen from the outside. If that is the case the Vet can use a Q-tip safely to remove some of the wax and look under the microscope to see if it is a yeast or bacterial infection. Some dogs will shake and scratch with even mild overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. Otherwise she may just be itchy due to allergies and you can try an antihistamine. See the links below. I wish you the best! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/claritin/ https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/zyrtec/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 1st, 2019
It's probably an ear infection, often it cannot be seen from the outside. Ear infections are very common in dogs, it is usually caused by either yeast or bacterial disease. the treatment is usually simple and straightforward, you will have to take Nala to the vet and get the ears checked, then a prescription ear drops will be prescribed according to the infectious agent.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is itching her ear, we've noticed her doing it more at night than during the day. She's been checked for ear mites and we are good at keeping her ears clean of wax. There hasn't been any change in her food or the environment at home. Do you
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! It is hard to say exactly what is causing the itching the and scratching in the ears without examining Luna first but it could be due to a yeast or bacterial infection or perhaps just a ball of ear wax stuck down in her ear canal. If the itching is more on the outside of the ear than on the inside, it could be due to a flea allergy. Fleas like to hang out by the ears, neck, and tail base region. If you've been cleaning out the ears frequently and she is still itching, you may want to have Luna examined by your veterinarian to check for an ear infection, fleas, and to get a better peak down in the ear canals. Your veterinarian may take a sample of the material in each ear to check for an infection. Luna may need ear antibiotics or other medications as needed. I hope this helps and thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been scratching his right ear and shaking his head a lot and I noticed that his right ear is really rough and dark looking, almost like a allergic reaction or rash. We contacted the vet and he said it was most likely allergies or a allergi
Hi and thank you for using Boop by Petco! I am so sorry to hear that Snoopy's ear is red. It is very possible Snoopy may have an ear infection. Ear infections are most commonly due to underlying allergies such as environmental or food allergies. It is possible Snoopy has mites in that ear but less likely since only one ear is very affected. I would recommend taking Snoopy in to see your veterinarian. They will likely take swabs from both ears and look at a cytology of them (under the microscope) to look for infections. If this is the case, your veterinarian will recommend ear cleaner/ medication. Good luck! Here is an article that describes ear infections in more detail: https://www.petcoach.co/article/middle-inner-ear-infections-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog keeps scratching her ear and shaking her head.. always same ear.. any suggestions
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! It sounds like Snow may have an ear infection, which can be pretty uncomfortable for her. She should be seen by a vet to assess the severity of the condition and begin the appropriate treatment. Treatment may include oral antibiotics or topical antibiotics. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any questions you have!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog is having some type of ear issue. He's contently shaking and scratching ears. Now to point he's scratching them up with his nails. I can't afford a vet. Help please!
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My puppy daisy has been shaking her ears vigorously and scratching a lot behind her ears and on her tail also has some hotspots from licking herself alot. Her eyes seem puffy and swollen what do I do?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to evaluate this closely with a thorough physical examination to make sure the eyes are ok. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our puppy has dry patchy skin and scratches all the time, she was born Dec 2 2017 and is a pamaranian weiniedog mix. We got her yesterday, 1/26/18. What can we do to help her dry skin and itching?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. Given her young age, I would suspect that if that is the case it could be due to flea allergies. Another possibility is something like mange. This is something your veterinarian would check with a physical examination and basic diagnostics like a skin scrape and cytology. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 mo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pet has an ear infection....what did i do ? many doctors has no answers to these type of infection
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely an ear infection and I am afraid that there is likely an underlying allergy causing him to scratch a lot and continue to cause further trauma to the ear. I highly recommend that you have him evaluated as soon as possible as this is likely causing him a lot of discomfort. They would be able to diagnose this and start therapy. Medications such as steroids may help decrease the itch. You may use the e-collar to prevent further self-trauma. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has recently had more ear wax build up in one ear. I have cleaned it with vinegar + water, and also ear cleaning solution (and cotton balls) and it returns. She is also more vocal when I rub her right ear, as if it is itchy and feels good. She
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely due to an ear infection. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian would be able to check what type of infection is present and treat accordingly. Usually this resolves with topical therapy. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What are the beginning signs (need to go to the vet) of ear mites? Most times after we take the puppy out, he begins to drag his ears across the floor. He does it several times a day now. His ears are a touch red, but I believe it is from his draggin
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Ear mites generally are noted first with signs of thick, dark discharge which appears a bit "crusty". However-the lack of these symptoms does not mean all is well with the ears of your pup. Dogs can get frequent ear infections, just like we can.
I can tell from your photos that your pup has hair that grown down into the ear canals-this will be part of the problem. Those hairs trap debris, water from bathing, extra wax, etc and act as a great reservoir for bacteria to grow. I always recommend to my clients to have the hairs "plucked" by their groomer when they go or to come in to the office so that we can do it. After the hairs are cleared and the ears are cleaned, I like to do an exam of the ear canal and to take a swab of the ears to see what kind of yeast and/or bacteria are present there. It is important to have this exam performed by your vet to verify that your pet's eardrum is intact and not perforated.
Likely your pet will get prescribe
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our puppy princess has been scratching at her ear for 2 days now. Shaking her head and whimpering when she scratches. Its a little red today at the base of the canal but she has been scratching and we see no problems like swelling or redness or disc
At 7 months old, most of her teeth should be in place, and teething does not normally cause ear issues in dogs. Possible causes for her itchy ears include bacterial or yeast ear infection, mites, fleas, or allergies. You can try a medicated ear flush like Dechra Malacetic Ultra Otic for a few days, as well as having Princess on a good flea preventative. If it doesn't get better, she should be seen by a vet for evaluation. The vet will probably do a thorough otic exam and an ear cytology to find the cause of the itch. Then appropriate medications can be prescribed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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