Ear infections are among the most common reasons dogs end up at the vet, and in some dogs they keep coming back. Whole Dog Journal veterinarian Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, also says that a dog scratching, licking and digging at itself is one of the most frequent complaints owners bring in, and that allergies are usually behind it. If your dog has repeated itchy spells and repeated ear trouble, it is worth asking whether one cause sits behind both. A simple record of when symptoms flare can help your vet answer that question.
Why itching and ear problems often travel together
In an interview with Whole Dog Journal executive editor Kate O'Connor, Dr. Fatcheric lists digging at the ears among the everyday signs of an allergic dog. The others are thumping a hind leg and rubbing on the carpet. Ears are one of the places an itchy dog goes after.
She also warns about what follows if the itch is never controlled: a dog that keeps scratching can end up with secondary infections and a much bigger problem. So an ear infection that returns every few months may be a symptom of an itch that was never dealt with, rather than a separate issue each time. Only your vet can say whether that is true for your dog, but you can bring useful evidence to the appointment.
The clue in the skin
Dr. Fatcheric says the hallmark of allergies is normal, healthy-looking skin that itches. When the itch starts, look at the skin first. If you see no lesions, pimples, scabs or crusts, she treats it as allergies until proven otherwise.
That is a useful thing to notice and write down. A dog that itches intensely with clear skin tells your vet something different from a dog with crusts or pimples.
Timing: the other big clue
Dr. Fatcheric describes two broad groups of dog allergy: food allergies and environmental (inhaled) allergies, known as atopy. Timing helps separate them. Food-allergic dogs tend to itch year-round, while environmental allergies are often seasonal.
This is where a log earns its keep. Most owners remember that their dog "had another ear infection last year" but not whether it was spring or midwinter. Dates make the pattern visible.
| Question | Food allergy | Environmental allergy (atopy) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical timing | Itching tends to continue year-round | Itching is often seasonal |
| How it is confirmed | A vet-guided diet trial of 8 to 12 weeks | Pinning down the exact trigger is difficult; blood testing can identify common inhaled allergens |
| Does testing change much? | Switching foods on your own does not work, because too many foods share ingredients | Dr. Fatcheric says the main reason to test is if you plan to pursue allergy shots |
| Usual approach | Find and avoid the offending food | Vets often treat the itch rather than chase every trigger |
What this means for you
You do not need to diagnose anything. Your job is to collect observations that make the vet's job easier. Start a note on your phone or a paper calendar and record the following:
- Dates of every flare-up. Note when the itching started and when each ear problem appeared.
- Where the dog itches. Ears, paws, belly, rear end, or rubbing along furniture and carpet.
- What the skin looks like. Is it normal-looking, or do you see lesions, pimples, scabs or crusts? A dated phone photo helps.
- The season and weather. Seasonal patterns point one way, year-round itching another.
- Food changes. Note new foods, treats and chews, since a dog on a trial diet must eat nothing else.
- Flea and tick control. Record whether it was up to date at each flare.
- What the vet found and advised. Keep track of each ear visit and what was recommended.
Take the log to your next appointment, and ask directly whether allergies could be behind the repeated ear trouble.
Do not skip flea and tick control
Dr. Fatcheric says she tells every allergic-dog owner the same thing: keep up with flea and tick control, because an allergic dog can break out from a single flea bite. If your log shows a gap in protection just before a flare, your vet will want to know. Ask your vet which product suits your dog.
If a food allergy is suspected
You cannot settle the question by buying a different bag of food. Vets use a diet trial with one of two food types. One is a limited-ingredient diet, ideally a single novel protein the dog has never eaten, such as fish, plus one carbohydrate. The other is a hydrolyzed-protein diet, a prescription food in which the protein is broken into pieces too small for the immune system to react to.
The trial must run 8 to 12 weeks, with nothing else passing the dog's lips. Dr. Fatcheric admits this is hard in a house with toddlers. If you have children, plan ahead: agree on who feeds the dog, keep treats and table scraps out of reach, and tell visitors that the dog is on a special diet. Your food log will show your vet which proteins your dog has already eaten.
If the cause is environmental
Allergy shots (hyposensitization) remain the gold standard in the literature, according to Dr. Fatcheric, but they are slow and labor-intensive. Most owners rely on medication instead, because today's drugs calm the itch whatever the dog is reacting to. She describes them as safe and effective. Which option fits your dog, and how often it is given, is a decision for your vet.
Day-to-day care can help alongside treatment. Dr. Fatcheric points to medicated shampoos used at the right interval, spot treatment for localized irritation under a vet's direction, and fish oil for its anti-inflammatory effect and skin support. Ask your vet before starting any of these, so the interval and product are right for your dog.
What about cats?
Dr. Fatcheric's interviews are about dogs, and the specifics above should not be assumed to apply to cats. The habit of logging does travel well, though. If your cat scratches often or keeps having ear problems, a dated record of flare-ups and what the skin looks like will help your vet. Ask your vet what applies to your cat.
FAQ
Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?
Whole Dog Journal reports that ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs see the vet, and that some dogs get them repeatedly. Allergies are usually behind a dog that scratches, licks and digs at itself, and ear digging is one of the signs. A dog that keeps scratching can develop secondary infections. Ask your vet whether allergies could be the underlying cause in your dog.
How can I tell if my dog's itching is allergies?
Dr. Fatcheric says the hallmark is normal, healthy-looking skin that itches. If there are no lesions, pimples, scabs or crusts when the itch starts, she treats it as allergies until proven otherwise. Year-round itching points more toward food, and seasonal itching toward environmental allergies. Your vet makes the call.
How long does a food allergy test take?
A diet trial supervised by your vet takes 8 to 12 weeks, during which the dog eats only the trial food. Dr. Fatcheric notes that swapping to a different bag of food will not give a reliable answer, since many foods share ingredients.
Sources
- Whole Dog Journal: Why does your dog keep getting ear infections?
- Whole Dog Journal: Dog Allergies: How to Spot Them and What to Do
Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels
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