Ear infections are very common in dogs, especially dogs with floppy ears. Ear infections are irritating, smelly, uncomfortable and can cause a lot of damage to your dog’s ears, hearing and health if not taken care of.

Allergies, yeast infections and moisture are some of the most common causes of infection. They can occur semi easily and be a hassle to take care of once they occur. Sometimes they even require medical attention. For these reasons, one of the best things you can do for your fur baby is take these simple, yet effective preventative measures to make sure your dog never has to suffer with an ear infection.

#2. Feed A Healthy Diet Free Of Potential Allergens 

Your dog’s diet plays a huge role in his health and can also impact how susceptible his ears are to infection. If your dog has food allergies, for instance, these allergies can cause your dog’s ear canals to become red, itchy and inflamed and open the doorway for infection.

If you feel your dog might have food allergies, it’s recommended that you consult a veterinary professional. There are simple tests and methods to help determine any foods your dog could be sensitive to. Once you know his specific sensitivities, you will be able to determine how to better accommodate for his dietary needs.

We also highly recommend switching your dog to a raw, meat-based diet. Raw food is more natural for your little canine and tastes much better to them. A raw diet is also great for their health and keeping their digestive system running smoothly, their teeth intact and their coats smooth and strong. For more information, look here.

#3. Use External Parasite Prevention

Ear mites have the potential to cause infection in dog ears, and the risk can be higher for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.

If you feel your dog is at risk of getting ear mites, you can do some research and find a good parasite preventative. For further guidance, consult a veterinary professional.

#4. Check Your Dog’s Ears Regularly 

Make it a habit to check your dog’s ears regularly, even daily if you want to be thorough. Keep an eye out for any inflammation, discharge, foul odor or other unnatural or questionable signs your dog’s ears could be getting infected.

A healthy dog ear should be light pink and free from swelling and debris. If you are ever in doubt, seek out veterinary assistance.

#5. Gently Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Include cleaning your dog’s ears as a part of his grooming routine. You can simply get some safe, pH balanced ear cleaner and a cotton ball to wipe your dog’s ear and clear it of any dirt or debris.

When cleaning your dog’s ears, just be sure you never stick anything down the ear canal, as this can be dangerous and cause your dog pain or harm.

#6. Make Sure Ears Are Dry After Swimming And Bathing

Since trapped moisture is one of the most common causes of ear infections in dogs, make sure that when you are drying your fur baby after a swim or bath, you also make it a point to dry his ears. You can use a cotton ball to absorb any water and dry his ears more thoroughly if needed.

#7. Remove Excess Hair From Canals If Necessary 

Excess hair on dog ears, especially right outside the canal, can contribute to moisture and debris getting trapped in the canal and risk leading to infection. If your dog breed has particularly hairy ears, consider removing this hair often. You can even make it a part of his grooming routine.

You can learn how to pluck it yourself or have a professional groomer take care of it for you. If you’ve never done it before, it’s highly recommended that you get guidance from a grooming professional.

#8. Supplement Your Dog’s Diet With Essential Fatty Acids 

Omega-3 fatty acids are best for nourishing skin and preventing inflammation, which can help keep your dog’s ears healthy and prevent infection.

If your dog has allergies to certain foods however, make sure that fatty acid supplements are okay and safe for him to take. A dog taking a supplement that contains allergens for him can become very counterproductive.