Most dog owners see dog ear scratching as their norm.
However, it could be a sign of some health-related issues if dogs have constant ear scratching, especially at night.
Understanding the signs and causes is essential, not only for prompt diagnosis and treatment but also prevention of possible ear problems.
So why does my dog scratch his ears at night?
Various reasons can be blamed for a dog itching ears at night. Let’s learn what they are, their symptoms, and how to prevent them.
Why Does My Dog Scratch His Ears At Night?
The causes of a dog scratching ears a lot are various, but allergies, parasites/foreign bodies, insect bites, injuries, ear infections, and dermatitis are the most common culprits.
Parasites (Ear mites, Fleas, etc.)
The canine ear canal is the favorite shelter for ear mites – microscopic parasites that live on the ear discharge like wax and oil.
These tiny creatures are found in dogs and cats and are normally unseen by the human eye.
Besides scratching their ears, dogs with the infestation of ear mites might have brownish ear residue like coffee grounds and constant head shaking.
Similarly, fleas and ticks can cause extreme itch in dogs’ ears when they bite for blood.
Allergies
Sometimes, dogs’ ears itch at night can be the result of allergies, including environmental, medicinal, and food allergies.
Allergens can come from different sources, for example:
- Environment: grass, weed, pollens, perfumes, dust, mold, etc.
- Food: Your pet can get allergic to any food, but commonly dairy, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. There are also cases where dogs have peanut allergies.
- Drugs: antibiotics, pain medication, vaccines, or anesthetic drugs.
The common signs of those allergies are intense itchiness and swelling. In some severe cases, they can suffer from life-threatening symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and respiratory difficulty.
Infections
A canine ear infection is another possible reason to explain excessive ear scratching in dogs.
Fungus, bacteria, and yeasts (Malassezia or Aspergillus) are common culprits that can cause inflammation and infection of canine auditory canals.
Dogs’ ear canal is usually moist and warm, making it the right condition for the overgrowth of harmful microscopic organisms.
Dogs with hairy, narrow ear canals, swimming lovers, or breeds with floppy ears like Beagles and Dachshunds might have a higher chance of bacterial infection.
A pungent/yeasty odor, black or yellow discharge, swelling/bleeding, and redness of the ear flap are all typical signs of ear infections.
Infections can occur in the outer (otitis externa), middle (otitis media), or inner of dogs’ ears (otitis interna).
Regardless of the type, it can lead to permanent hearing loss if not treated properly.
Contact Dermatitis
If you observe hot spots or redness on your pet’s ear, in addition to itchy ears, you might suspect the possibility of contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis generally refers to the rash on a local skin area upon its exposure to certain materials or substances.
For example, sleeping on rugs or uncomfortable pillows can lead to dogs’ ears itching at night.
Similarly, you might see your pooch randomly scratch its ears after it walks through a grass patch or bushes or rolls around on the garden bed of succulent ground covers.
Some chemical substances in flea products, shampoos, soaps, carpet deodorizers, etc., can also cause a reaction of ear itchiness.
Injuries, Ear Tumors, Polyps
Sometimes, dogs scratch their ears without control due to injuries.
An unintentional bump or a mild cut is not too concerning as it can heal slowly.
During recovery, a dog would shake his head and scratch his ears to relieve irritation from creating new skin.
However, being cautious with unreasonably prolonged itchiness.
It might indicate a more serious issue, such as ear tumors and inflammatory polyps, especially when symptoms of bleeding and obvious pain happen simultaneously.
Insect Bites
Your dog might experience uncontrollable itchiness in the ear because of insect stings.
In this case, you would likely see your dog’s ear getting thickened and swollen, along with constant scratches and redness.
Some dogs even express the pain by whining or fever if stung by poisonous insects, which leave serious bites with inflamed and festering wounds.
Foreign Objects Stuck Inside Ears
The presence of foreign objects can lead to your dog scratching behind ear.
Plant seeds, beans, twigs, grass blades, and even children’s toys like tiny Lego bricks can get easily lodged in your dog’s ears.
As a result, your dog will have itchy, irritated ears and frequently shake its head and scratch at the ears to remove foreign materials.
In some cases, materials with sharp tips can pierce the skin of the ear canal or cause a tympanic membrane.
Treatment & Prevention
Prolonged ear scratching and head shaking can lead to a dog’s ear hematoma if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
Hence, it is advisable to schedule an appointment to see a vet if you observe your dog scratching inside ear excessively, especially in severe cases such as allergies, ear mites, or infections.
Because scratching at the ears is only one of the clinical signs, it requires a proper test and specialized equipment to pinpoint the underlying cause and decide the appropriate treatment accordingly.
As I always say, prevention is better than cure.
Here are some key guides to prevent your dog from risk of ear problems.
Ear cleaning
Hygiene is key in preventing severe ear diseases in dogs, like ear infections and ear mites, which are highly contagious among home pets like dogs and cats.
As said, redundant moisture and debris inside the canine ear canal is the ideal condition for the development of bacterial and yeast infections as well as harmful parasites to reproduce.
Cleaning your dog’s ear with a proper dog ear-cleaning solution and cotton balls every week is the easiest and cheapest way to get rid of germs.
Besides, you can consult with your veterinarian for the use of broad-spectrum flea treatment as a preventative action against parasites.
Diet & Lifestyle
Avoid food allergens if your furry friend has certain food allergies. If it cannot digest protein foods, consider feeding your dog lamb dog food instead.
Additionally, a dietary plan with low content of grain/sugar contributes to combat chronic yeast infections.
You’d better switch from dry dog food to natural and minimally processed meals with adequate supplements of essential vitamins and minerals.
Regular exercises can also help increase the canine immune system, which is a shield against the attack of bacteria and fungus.
FAQs
How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Ear Mites?
Although ear mites are nearly invisible to human eyes, their presence in a dog’s ears can be doubted through several signs.
Intense ear scratching, constant head shaking, dark and waxy ear discharge, and unpleasant smell from the affected ear are cases in point.
How Can I Soothe My Dog’s Itchy Ears At Home?
There are some vet-approved home remedies for the relief of ear irritation and itchiness.
Mullein oil, calendula, hydrocortisone ointment, or bathing dog in vinegar are a few to name.
However, getting expert advice in advance is better to ensure no allergic reaction.
When Should I Call The Vet For Itchy Ears?
Your dog might be calling for a check-up with a vet if it shows one of the following clinical signs, including unusual head shaking, strange ear discharge, pain, bleeding, or fever, in addition to lots of scratching.
Conclusion
Why does my dog scratch his ears at night? Regardless of the culprit, excessive ear scratching in dogs over time can result in severe damage to their ear flap (pinna), ear hematoma, or loss of hearing.
Hence, it is necessary to reach out to your vet if you’re concerned about that question.
Furthermore, regular ear check-ups and cleaning combined with a healthy lifestyle of nutritional balance diets and daily physical movement will likely keep dog ear problems at bay.
