Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Dog Food Cause Ear Infections? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

ear infection on dog

Dogs, just like humans, can suffer from ear infections. Your dog might never have one, or they may get them routinely. If you find that your dog is getting frequent ear infections, you’re probably looking for the trigger.

If you’re wondering if food can contribute, the answer is yes, absolutely. In many aspects, food controls how the body functions, and when things are out of whack, many symptoms can appear. Let’s explain how it works and what you can do to protect your dog from ear infections.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

What Are Ear Infections?

There are three areas ear infections occur—outer, middle, and inner. Outer ear infections are the most common, though all can be caused by an unhealthy amount of yeast, bacteria, or fungi building up in the ear’s outer portion.

When this buildup occurs, it triggers overgrowth in the ears, irritating the areas throughout. You might notice your dog acting differently or smell the infection. Yeast has a particular sort of foul odor that is a telltale sign.

Some common symptoms of ear infections in dogs include:
  • Ear discharge
  • Pawing at the ear
  • Odor
  • Redness or irritation

They are pretty easy to detect, especially if you know what you’re looking for. Ear infections almost always require veterinary attention. Antibiotics usually work to treat bacterial infections, but other agents such as yeast might be the cause of the infection and need a different treatment. Routine care at home is recommended.

Make sure to keep your dog’s ears dry and clean. Use any cleaners, drops, or topical ointments your vet suggests.

Dog Food & Ear Infections: What’s the Connection?

Allergies irritate several areas of the body, but a huge one is the skin. You might not just notice gross buildup and gunk in the ears but also body irritation. Dog food is a very common culprit to recurring ear infections when the underlying trigger is a food allergy.

Symptoms of an underlying food allergy include:
  • Itchy skin, paws, and ears
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Licking
  • Scratching
  • Weight loss
  • Face rubbing
  • Redness
  • Head shaking

You might not have connected the dots quite yet, but have your dogs been experiencing a few of these symptoms in addition to ear infections? Yes, food allergies can cause all kinds of outward and inward effects.

If your dog struggles with any of the signs above, you should take them to be examined by a vet.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Common Allergy Triggers in Commercial Dog Food

Thanks to science, nutritionists and researchers have uncovered the main offenders in dog food. Let’s go over each one.

Protein

Protein is, unfortunately, a common allergy trigger for allergy sufferers (the most common, in fact)—particularly frequently seen in meat like chicken, beef, and fish.

Often, hydrolyzed or novel protein dog foods aid in digestion and nourish the body. Novel proteins use a new protein source that has never been introduced to your dog’s system before. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into microscopic bits so they can essentially bypass the system.

Dairy

Dairy, more specifically, lactose, is another huge trigger for dogs. A big telltale sign that your dog has a dairy allergy is itchy skin and rashes. Believe it or not, there is a difference between lactose allergy and lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is linked more to gastrointestinal upset versus skin irritation. So, if dairy is causing recurring ear infections, it is usually linked more to the allergy than the intolerance.

Gluten

Gluten is not nearly as triggering as dog food companies would lead you to believe. In fact, it makes up only a small percentage of dog food allergies in total. But rather than ear infections, gluten allergies usually present with diarrhea, loose stool, mucous in stool, gas, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

To combat these types of allergies, dogs often undergo a series of food trials to eliminate different ingredients. It can take weeks, months, or even years to uncover the cause. After so long, the culprit should reveal itself.

Just because these are the most prevalent allergy triggers, it doesn’t mean they are the only ones. Dogs, like us, can be allergic to just about anything.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Do Ear Infections Have an Odor?

Usually, most people can agree that skin and ear infections have a musty, unpleasant, distinct odor. Often, ear infections don’t come alone. Dogs can also get skin yeast infections—and you’ll know it.

owner cleaning his dog ears
Image By: Yavdat, Shutterstock

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Recurrent Ear Infections: Alternate Causes

There are some alternatives, too. It doesn’t always point to food allergies. If you haven’t been to the vet, don’t put all your energy into one idea. There could be other explanations. Here are a few.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infections

If you have noticed that your dog is getting recurring yeast infections after a series of antibiotics, they could be developing resistance. It isn’t uncommon to see this these days, as studies are proving.

Environmental Allergens

Your dog’s environment plays a huge role in potential ear infections. If your dog is allergic to something in their environment, symptoms might manifest similar to food allergies.

dog scratching
Image Credit: schubbel, Shutterstock

Systemic Diseases

Your dog might have an underlying disease or illness such as hypothyroidism. If you have an older pet, it is much more common as they start advancing in age.

Parasites

If your dog has parasites in its ears, it can lead to infection quickly. Ear mites are the typical culprit.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Conclusion

As you can see, dog food can definitely be the culprit for your dog’s ear infections. However, it could have other reasons as well. That is why it is so important to go over any symptoms or changes with your veterinarian. Together, the appropriate testing could be done to uncover the underlying cause.

If your dog is suffering from recurring ear infections, it isn’t normal—no matter the reason. So, make sure to seek proper treatment.

See also:

Sources
 

Featured Image Credit: dawi88888, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How to Tell a Dog’s Age: Our Vet Explains 5 Ways

If you purchased your dog from a breeder, chances are that you can celebrate their birthday with confidence. But if you rescued your...

Do Dogs Have a Sixth Sense? Interesting Canine Facts (Vet Answer)

Dogs are amazing creatures with a knack for comforting their human owners and anticipating natural disasters before they happen. There are even anecdotal...

What Kind of Dog Is Scooby-Doo? Myths & Fun Facts

Most people are familiar with the iconic dog accompanying the gang on their mystery-solving misadventures. It would be hard to forget him, seeing...

How Often Should You Wash Dog Food & Water Bowls: Vet Approved Advice

For many of us, our pets are our world, and we try our best to love and care for them the same way...

More related

10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Dallas, TX You Can Visit Today (2025 Update)

Off-leash dog parks have long been great options for allowing your dog to run, exercise, and have fun without being constrained by a...

Will Pumpkin Help Dogs With Pancreatitis? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

As dog parents, we search for the best ways to take care of our dog when they’re sick. Aside from medical management, many...

Why Is My Dog Peeing a Lot? 9 Vet-Approved Reasons

Disclaimer: This article has been fact-checked by a qualified veterinarian using information available at the time of review. Veterinary medicine is continually evolving...

Are Retractable Leashes Bad For Dogs? Vet-Verified Pros & Cons

Retractable leashes sound like a great idea because they allow your pet to have more freedom when out on a walk, and you...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Squash? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Dogs are omnivores (facultative carnivores) and can both eat plant and animal foods to stay happy and healthy throughout their lives. Most dogs are not picky about their food and will even rummage through the garbage for scraps to munch...

Can Dogs Eat_squash

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Many foods aren’t necessarily toxic or poisonous to dogs, but they’re still not very good for them to eat. Cheese is one of those foods that doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients for dogs, but it’s not something that you should...

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese

12 Best Dog Foods for Hunting Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Various dog breeds make excellent hunting dogs. Labrador Retrievers, Mountain Curs, Vizslas, and even Beagles are just a few examples of perfect hunting companions. Although these dogs look completely different in color, size, and structure, they share the same instinctual...

owner feeding two hungry dogs

Spirulina for Dogs: Vet-Reviewed Benefits, Uses & Tips

Everyone has heard of the benefits of plant-based foods, and this way of eating has become more popular among people in the last two decades. Spirulina is a supplement used every day by thousands of people because it’s rich in...

spirulina powder and tablets in a wooden bowl

Can Dogs Eat Beef Jerky? Vet-Approved Feeding & Health Facts 

Dogs are exceptional at persuading you to give them a bit of a treat. This interaction with your dog actually provides more than just a tasty snack for them; it also makes you feel good by increasing the bond between...

Can Dogs Eat Beef Jerky

What Kinds of Bones Can Dogs Eat? 3 Vet-Approved Options

It’s no secret that many dogs love to chew on bones. They’re tasty to dogs, and their texture can help clean your dog’s teeth and maintain their oral health. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that bones are safe for your...

Can Dogs Eat Bones

Can Dogs Eat Brisket? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Risks

Brisket is a cut of beef from a cow’s lower breast muscles. The lower breast is a well-worked area of the body, so the meat cooks best in a slow cooker combined with seasoning and vegetables. The result is a...

Can Dogs Eat_brisket

Evermore Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Verdict: An Expert’s Breakdown

*Free shipping for subscriptions Human-grade, frozen-fresh, hand-made dog food produced by a small-scale, family-run, ethically-minded company? Gently cooked, highly nutritious, and delicious recipes that satisfy my dog’s appetite and keep him healthy? Count us in! My dog Leo and I...

DOG_SAPR_Evermore Dog Food