Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my dog suddenly crying and touching his ear in pain?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 2 months old | 13 lbs

URGENT: My dog started crying in pain all of a sudden. It seems like his pain is in his head. He was totally fine today but in one second he started crying and touching his ear. What could it be?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 21st, 2018

It could be that Jax is suffering from an ear infection. This would be painful to him, and it would cause him to touch his ear. In dogs, ear infections can be caused by yeast, bacteria, or ear mites, and the cause of the infection needs to be diagnosed so it can be treated correctly. Only the vet can do this, so I would take him into the vet on Monday to have his ear examined, diagnosed, and treated. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is having pain from his ear and faces sude ways with one ear up. Looks like something is bothering him. what could be botheringn his ear.
We will very commonly see ear infections in dogs. The infection is most commonly due to an overgrowth of normal yeast and bacteria in the ear. I am attaching a link with more information below. https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951507 Ear infections can be very painful or sometimes the only sign is that they are holding their ear in an abnormal position. I would recommend having your veterinarian examine Jax. They will be able to examine into the ear and take a sample of any discharge to evaluate under the microscope to determine if there is anything abnormal going on then determine the best treatment for him. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Jax feels better soon. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog cries out in pain when ears are touched, cleaned them yesterday and only a bit dirty and no black crusty signs of mites. Not red or smell from ear
Your dog could have a middle or inner ear infection. The symptoms for middle and inner ear infections are often similar to outer ear infections, and include pain in the ear, head shaking, infected or bloody discharge, and scratching or pawing at the head or ear. Your vet can diagnose an ear infection, and because untreated ear infections can lead to hearing loss, I'd recommend taking Speckles into your vet to have them examine the ear. If it is an ear infection, Speckles will need an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My dogs ears have been very sensitive lately. I bathe her twice a month & dry her as thoroughly as I can. Last week I bathed her & she cried every time I got close to her ears. Today I noticed a patch of dryness inside both ears. The dry area is yell
I would have Riley seen by a vet. It could be she is suffering from an ear infection, which would cause her to cry out in pain when scratching her ears and to be sensitive around that area. Ear infections in dogs can be caused by ear mites, yeast, or bacteria so you need a vet to diagnose the cause in order to get the correct medication. I'd take her into a vet on Monday. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello My pet is having some issue with his ear from past 3 hour. He was happy and was very playful. I don't know why suddenly he started scraming and start shaking his head. When I tried to find the problem I did not notice anything. But one thing is
The 2 main options are an ear infection or a foreign body in the ear canal. in both cases i'm afraid you will need to take him to a vet, unless the condition resolves itself within a few hours. if it is an infection it can be treated with a prescription ear drops (special for dogs), if it is a foreign body Pops will need to be sedated in order to have it removed from the ear.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs ears seemed to be very very irritated after having a bad reaction to some dog food. He is on a better food diet now and for his ears I bought an amazing ear solution that cleared them up and now I rinse them a couple days a week, but whenever
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! If Jax has not had his ears checked by a veterinarian for an ear infection, then he could still have one causing the continued sensitivity near his ears. Your vet will need to look not just at the outside of the ear (the pinna) but inside the ear canal with an otoscope to get a good view of what is going on. A sample of any debris in his ears should be taken to confirm the presence of an infection. If his vet has already rechecked his ears and he is free of infection, then he may still be guarding his ears as this once was a painful or sensitive area. This may be true if he just got over a recent infection. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My schnauzer won't let me touch his right ear, it is not red and I don't see anything on the inside i was rubbing the back of his ear by the neck and he let out a yelp. After that he is tilting his head
I am sorry to hear about Baxter. It is quite possible that he could have an infection or pain deeper inside his ear then you can see with the naked eye. A dog's ear canal is deep and turns sideways. They can also have middle ear infections that can cause pain and a head tilt. He needs to have an exam by a vet and they can look into his ear with an otoscope to try to find the source of pain!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My pet is itching heavily and has hurt it's ear while scratching and it has no signs of wound inside ear but screams of pain in ear. Please help me.
Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further scratching. Have Bijju examined by your veterinarian. A swab of the ear can be examined under a microscope to diagnose yeast or bacterial infection. Your vet can clean the ears afterwards and dispense the appropriate medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My dog keeps wimpering/panting and crying at night. He shakes his head as if his ears are bothering him and keeps licking his lips and sticking his tounge back and forth.
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. Sorry that Jax is having this issue. My recommendation is that you take him to a vet as soon as possible for an exam. Unfortunately his symptoms are too vague for me to pinpoint what may be the underlying cause of his illness. He could certainly have an ear infection or a foreign body inside his ear canal. He could also have a problem with the nerve(s) that run through the ear and innervate the head/mouth/tongue. He needs to have an exam in person by a vet so you can get to the bottom of his issue and so he can get the proper treatment. There is nothing I can recommend you do other than that at this stage with just the information you provided. Hope this helps to give you some direction. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I went to greet my dog by rubbing her face and ears. When I rubbed her ears she whined like it hurt. What might it be?
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question. Poor Sam. This could be a sign she has an ear infection. Ear infections in dogs can be caused my ear mites, yeast, or bacteria. I’d call her vet to make her an appointment. The vet can diagnose if she does have an ear infection, what’s causing it, and can treat it. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 year old jack russell terrier whimpers every time we pet near his ears, and has white crust build up inside of them. He also threw up two nights ago when he first started whimpering. Not sure if that’s related. He’s acting very different and sad
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bo Duke. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. I am concerned that he has an ear infection. Ear infections can be very painful and cause him to cry when you touch near his ears. The veterinarian will examine each ear canal and take a sample to evaluate under the microscope. This will diagnose an infection if present. If so, treatment will be prescribed. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Ear Care Dog Ear & Eye Care Dog Ear & Eye Medicine Dog Eye Care Dog Treats & Chews Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dog Health & Wellness OxyMed Dog Ear Care Vet's Best Dog Ear Care Vetnique Labs Dog Ear Care Zymox Dog Ear Care Pet Parents Dog Ear Care Pawtitas Dog Ear Care PetAlive Dog Ear Care Earthbath Dog Ear Care Vetericyn Dog Ear Care Well & Good Dog Ear Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored