{"id":9978,"date":"2022-06-21T11:20:46","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T11:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/puppy-itching-and-scratching-ear-what-does-it-mean\/"},"modified":"2023-03-30T11:10:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T11:10:57","slug":"puppy-itching-and-scratching-ear-what-does-it-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-health\/new-puppy-health\/puppy-itching-and-scratching-ear-what-does-it-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"Puppy itching and scratching ear: What does it mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Puppy constantly scratching at their ears? Settled one minute then the next scratch, scratch, scratch at their ears? These pups are such a worry, we hate to see them uncomfortable and it might easily make you think there\u2019s something seriously wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t panic just yet, it’s pretty common for puppies to be scratching or itching at their ears, and there can be a few causes. Luckily it\u2019s usually just harmless irritation, but read on to make sure your puppy hasn\u2019t got anything more serious going on with their ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Zigzag, we\u2019re always here to help. So, in this article, we\u2019ll tell you all about possible reasons your is puppy scratching their ears, what signs to look out for when your puppy is itching their ears, and also what you can do to help if your puppy is scratching their ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we\u2019re here, does your puppy have any other worrying behaviors? Perhaps they\u2019re jumping up<\/a> or eating everything<\/a>? Never fear, the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> is here! We have a team of expert puppy coaches <\/a>to talk you through any of the trials and tribulations you might be going through with your puppy, and we know there are plenty!  We\u2019ve even personalized our training program, based on your puppy\u2019s age and breed type to ensure they receive the best training possible at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Mitchell Orr<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why is my puppy scratching their ear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So back to those ears, why might your puppy be so itchy? Puppies scratch their ears for a few different reasons; sometimes we just love an itch, and it\u2019s totally harmless. But consider the reasons below and take a look at why your puppy might be scratching their ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppy scratching ear can be caused by ear mites <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sounds gross, we know, but ear mites are really common in puppies. They cause a lot of itching, scratching and often shaking of the head! Ear mites are a parasite that live in the ear canal and feed on ear wax and oils and will often cause an ear infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppy itching ears due to having an ear infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ear mites, yeast, bacteria or fungus can all cause an ear infection and make your puppy scratch at their ears. Bacterial infections are the most common reason puppies get ear infections and are often preventable by good hygiene, cleaning and regular grooming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergic reactions can make a puppy itch their ears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your puppy is having an allergic reaction to something such as their food<\/a>, it can cause skin irritation, wax build-up, swelling of the ear canal and cause intense itching of the skin, making your puppies ears itchy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think your puppy has a food sensitivity, it\u2019s worth talking to your vet and possibly considering a food exclusion diet, or trying a raw or home cooked diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much ear wax<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A puppy scratching or itching at their ears is often a sign that they have wax buildup inside the ear. Ear wax can be a feast for ear mites and cause dirt and debris to become <\/p>\n\n\n\n

lodged in the ear, a breeding ground for bacteria and infections!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ear hair can cause puppy ear scratching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many breeds of dog have their ear hair trimmed or plucked as a regular part of grooming.<\/a> While experts may disagree on whether you should trim your puppy\u2019s ear hair, pluck the ear hair, or not remove it at all, it is crucial to keep the ears clean either way! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cut in the ear, will cause your puppy to scratch at their ears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A puppy with a cut ear ends up in a bit of a vicious circle. They lick or scratch at it, because it\u2019s irritating and sore, this then causes the cut to cause more irritation, so they scratch it\u2026and, can you see where this is going? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healing skin is often very itchy, so you might find your puppy scratching an ear even when it\u2019s getting better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign body in the ear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you had something stuck in your ear, wouldn\u2019t you be itching and scratching your ear? Of course you would, and so would your puppy! It’s worth checking to see if they have a grass seed, fleas or ticks, or anything else lurking inside their ear that shouldn\u2019t be there! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppy ear scratching can be behavioral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes ear scratching has a behavioral element, and scratching the shoulder can be what we call a displacement behavior. A puppy ear scratching can be where the dog is thinking about something, or that they are feeling stressed or worried. Dog body language<\/a> is a fascinating subject, we would love to tell you more about it in the Zigzag puppy training app.<\/a> Who doesn\u2019t want to speak dog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay attention to what is happening around them when your puppy is scratching. It\u2019s often displacement behavior, but yeah it could be fleas t<\/a>oo! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Alexandra Novitskaya<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What signs do I look out for when puppy is scratching their ears?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your puppy is just having a good old scratch every now and again, it\u2019s probably nothing medical to worry about. It might be them communicating with their own funny way of telling us or other dogs what they\u2019re feeling and thinking with their body language<\/a>. But if you see any of the following signs when you check over your puppy\u2019s ears, then it\u2019s a good idea to take a closer look or consult your Vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n