What Causes Daily Dirt in a Dog's Ears?

A dog's ears need only occasional cleaning to remove wax buildup and bits of debris. If your dog's ears need frequent cleaning and you see more than a little wax, he may have ear mites or an ear infection. Prompt veterinary attention will help prevent complications such as severe infection or hearing loss.

  1. Ear Mites

    • Ear mites are common in cats that spend time outdoors, and they can pass the parasites on to dogs that share their environment. Symptoms of ear mites in dogs include head shaking, ear scratching, a strong odor coming from the ears and discharge that resembles coffee grounds. Some of these same symptoms are present with ear infections, so it is important to visit a vet for a diagnosis. She will prescribe a course of treatment. The symptoms will ease soon after you start administering the medicine, but it is important to complete the course of treatment and treat other animals in the home to make sure the mites are completely eradicated.

    Ear Infections

    • Symptoms of ear infections closely resemble those of ear mites. In addition to those symptoms, your dog may experience a loss of balance or walk in circles. He may rub his ear against furniture, and you may see redness and swelling in and around the ear. If your dog is in pain, he may show unusual behavior or aggression. Your vet will prescribe oral or topical medication, or a combination of both types.

    Cleaning Ears

    • Clean your dog's ears with a clean cotton ball and a canine ear cleaning solution. Never use cotton swabs, which can push ear wax and foreign bodies such as grass seeds down into the ear canal. Clean only what you can see. When a dog has ear mites or an ear infection, the ears may be tender and painful to the touch. If you can't clean the dog's ears yourself because of swelling and tenderness, your vet can anesthetize the dog and clean the ears more thoroughly than you can at home.

    Administering Ear Drops

    • The treatment of ear infections and ear mites often involves the use of ear drops. To administer ear drops, hold the dog's head still with the ear flap laid back over the head. Insert the nozzle of the bottle in the ear with the tip pointing toward the tip of the dog's nose, and squeeze out the prescribed number of drops. Your dog will want to shake his head, but continue to hold him still and pull the flap back down over the ear. Gently massage the ear to coat the ear canal with the medication.