If your four-legged friend has dark, black deposits in his ear, it may simply be dirt that has accumulated. However, ear infections or a painful parasite infestation are often behind it.
In the following lines you will find out which ones 5 causes are most often responsible for black dirt in the dog's ear. I will also tell you Possible solutions and tips, how you can tackle problems early on.
5 reasons for black deposits in dog ears
1. dirt & Environmental influences
Your four-legged friend is traveling a lot and always has black dirt in your ears? This is not always a worrying sign – if the four-legged friend does not show any other negative symptoms, it can simply be Environmental influences be responsible for it.
Then this is probably it contaminated air, which has turned the dog's earwax dark. Also Foreign body such as dust, sand or plant remains can have a similar effect.
These are particularly affected by this City dogs and animals that live next to busy roads. That too Rolling in the dirt can cause dirt and other debris to become trapped in the ears.
2. Bacterial infections
Are significantly more serious bacterial infections. Due to the very deep ear canal of our four-legged friends, pathogens can quickly settle in the ear – and often go unnoticed for a long time.
Dogs are particularly affected by this Floppy ears have. Animals that like to swim a lot are also more prone to bacterial infestation because the microorganisms are infested with them moisture multiply more strongly.
Heavy accumulations of bacteria are also visible to the naked eye; they are often dark and look like black dirt. Furthermore, there is also a acrid stench, that comes out of the ears, typical of such an infection.
3. Fungal infestation
Another possible cause is fungal infections. Most of the time this is about Malassezia, actually completely harmless yeast fungi. They are actually part of the natural skin flora of our four-legged friends; under normal conditions the population is controlled.
However, if this balance is disrupted, the fungi multiply uncontrollably and cause problems. The external ear canal is particularly affected; animals that spend a lot of time in water are particularly susceptible: moisture promotes reproduction.
A fungal infection can develop very quickly and can then be seen and smelled: affected four-legged friends then have dark deposits in their ears that look like black dirt. The typical mushroom smell has an extensive yeast note; many dog owners are also reminded of dirty socks.
4. Ear mites
Parasites are also often responsible for infections in the ear canal. The most common and probably most dangerous cause is this Ear mite (Otodectes cynotis). The tiny arachnids are responsible for the clinical picture of ear mange.
This means that the parasites irritate the four-legged friend's ear canal with their saliva. The body then tries to cope with the Formation of more earwax to defend. At the same time, the dog develops a very severe itch on the ear and often scratches itself bloody. The resulting one crust In combination with the earwax, it acts like black dirt.
Ear mites are highly contagious they jump from one host to another in a flash. This is why social dogs with a lot of contact with other dogs are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, transmission to other pets, for example from cat to dog, is also possible.
5. Allergic reactions
Also possible allergic reactions. Unfortunately, there are many things that dogs are sensitive to: from environmental influences to certain food ingredients to cleaning products and other chemicals, anything can actually be an allergen.
Many dogs react to this with one thing in particular Dermatitis, i.e. an inflammatory reaction of the skin. This of course includes the ears. Earwax production increases and at the same time the dog scratches, which often makes the ear canal look like it is lined with black dirt.
Other symptoms of ear problems
If your dog has black gunk in his ear, it's likely to get worse sooner or later without treatment other symptoms come. The following are often observed, for example:
- Balance disorders (inner ear affected)
- Problems opening the mouth and chewing
- Apathetic behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Partial or complete loss of hearing
- Severe itching.
Source: SantéVet animal health insurance.
Further information on the topic
You can find out more about the topic – including ear pain without black dirt – in our article “Dog scratches his ear”.
Black dirt in the dog's ear: What you can do about it
If your four-legged friend has black dirt in his ear, you definitely have to be on your guard: Even if the dog still seems to be feeling well, his health can quickly deteriorate.
That's why you have to intervene correctly immediately, if your loved one is affected. If your ear is prone to dirt, it is also advisable to take precautionary measures in advance so that the problem occurs less often or not at all in the future.
1. Regular ear care
The first step to a healthy ear canal in four-legged friends is one regular ear care. This also includes checking your ears regularly – for example once a week – and checking your ears for spots and injuries with a flashlight.
If the animal has dirt on it, you should Clean ear carefully. This is best done in a quiet moment, and then make sure that the four-legged friend is not in pain during the “treatment”.
Many dog owners take care of the ears of their dogs cotton towels, which were soaked in lukewarm water. Others, however, rely on special ones Ear pads or Drops, which are massaged in.
Proven & gentle
The “Ferribiella Wet Wipes Ears” Ear cloths allow you to clean the external ear canal safely and gently. They are lint-free, have a pleasant smell and also contain natural moss and almond oil extracts, which help moisten the ears.
But keep in mind that you exclusively the outer area of the ears should clean. However, you should not resort to supposed aids such as cotton swabs or tweezers, as these can damage the ear and even destroy the eardrum!
Veterinarian Philipp Schledorn with tips on how to properly clean your dog's ears. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s0RLFtOEBg .
2. Always dry your dog well
If your dog gets wet, you definitely should always dry thoroughly. This not only affects the fur, but also the ears: many fungal and bacterial infections can be prevented in advance.
This applies to a wide variety of occasions, for example:
- Swimming sessions in the lake, sea or dog pool
- Bathing the dog
- Walks on rainy days.
Since dogs have significantly thicker hair than humans, they have to be dried much longer and more intensively, for example with a special towel or a dog bathrobe. You should then pay particular attention to the ears – but you have to rub them off there with particular care.
3. Antiparasitic precautions
Actually only helps against ear mites Antiparasitics. If your four-legged friend belongs to a risk group – for example, he often stays in a dog kennel or has a lot of contact with strangers – they can also be used as prevention.
Fortunately, this is comparatively simple: Most tick and flea collars also work against mites. Equipped with a special medication, they are very reliable and can be used for months without having to replace the collar.
4. Veterinary treatment
In many cases, however, there is one Go to the vet necessary. This is especially the case if the four-legged friend is suffering from an already advanced ear infection that is causing him visibly pain.
In most cases you will then have a recipe for one antiparasitic, a antibiotic or a antifungal medicine against fungal infection. However, if an inflammation is already very advanced and has already attacked the inner ear, it can also occur OP come into question.
FAQs
Why is earwax black in dogs?
Normally, earwax in dogs has a brownish color. It actually only turns black if there is another problem. This can be dirt caused by environmental influences, but bacteria, fungi and bloody crusts can also make the lard darker.