If your dog or cat can’t stop scratching their ears, shaking their head, or rubbing against the furniture, you’re not alone. Ear issues are one of the most common reasons pets visit the veterinarian — and for good reason. Ear discomfort can be painful, persistent, and confusing for pet parents trying to figure out what’s really going on.

The good news? Most ear problems have clear causes and effective solutions. Understanding the early signs and addressing them promptly can help prevent infections, reduce your pet’s discomfort, and support long-term ear health.

Let’s break down the most common reasons pets scratch their ears — and how you can help keep them clean, comfortable, and healthy.

Signs Your Pet May Be Having Ear Trouble

Dogs and cats can’t tell us when their ears hurt, so they rely on body language instead. Watch for:

• Frequent scratching or pawing at the ears
• Head shaking or tilting
• Redness or swelling
• Dark discharge or visible debris
• Strong odor from the ears
• Sensitivity when touched
• Excessive wax buildup

If you notice several of these symptoms, your pet may be experiencing one of the underlying issues below.

Common Causes of Pet Ear Scratching

1. Allergies (One of the Biggest Culprits)

Allergies — to food, pollen, dust mites, or even flea bites — are among the most common causes of ear itching in pets. Allergies trigger inflammation, excess wax production, and moisture buildup, all of which make the ears more vulnerable to infections.

Common signs: red ears, recurring scratching, licking paws, seasonal flare-ups.

Help your pet:
Regular cleaning with gentle ear solutions like TropiClean Alcohol-Free Ear Wash for Dogs & Cats helps remove excess wax and soothe irritation, a mild, no-sting formula enriched with cocoa butter and oats to moisturize sensitive skin, helping reduce itching and discomfort, alcohol-free and safe for routine use. For allergy-related itchiness, TropiClean’s OxyMed Pet Anti-Itch line can help calm inflamed skin around and inside the ear flap.

2. Yeast or Bacterial Infections

Warm, moist ears are the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels, basset hounds, and retrievers, are especially prone, but any pet can develop an infection.

Signs:

• Musty or sour odor
• Brown, yellow, or dark discharge
• Constant scratching
• Sensitivity when touched

Why it happens:
Moisture (after baths, swimming, or cleaning), debris, or allergies can disrupt the ear’s natural balance and create ideal conditions for microbes to thrive.

What to do:
TropiClean HomeVet Enzymatic Ear Wash for Cats & Dogs delivers gentle, effective ear care with an advanced 8-enzyme blend that helps clean, soothe, and protect. This alcohol-free, non-stinging formula reduces itch, odor, and wax build-up while breaking down debris and inhibiting biofilm. Safe for daily use, it’s ideal after baths or swimming to prevent irritation and moisture-related issues. Clinically proven to reduce yeast by 98% in 14 days with daily use, it offers fast relief in just one day—no vet visit required. Keep in mind mild buildup can be managed with regular cleaning, but infections require a veterinarian for diagnosis and medication. 

3. Ear Mites (More Common in Cats)

Tiny, contagious parasites called ear mites can cause intense itching — especially in cats, kittens, and pets that interact with outdoor animals.

Signs:

• Coffee-ground–like debris
• Constant scratching
• Head shaking
• Dark discharge

Ear mites spread easily between pets, so prompt cleaning and treatment is important.

Supportive care:
TropiClean HomeVet Ear Mite Treatment for Dogs & Cats offers solutions for ear comfort, delivers fast, gentle relief from ear mites while helping prevent future infestations. Formulated with naturally derived rosemary and cedarwood essential oils, this pet-safe ear cleaner soothes irritation, rinses away debris, and protects against mites. The alcohol-free, sting-free formula is perfect for your pet's sensitive ears and can be used after baths or swims to help prevent ear infections. Safe for both dogs and cats when used as directed, this easy-to-use at-home treatment is a trusted choice backed by 40+ years of TropiClean innovation.

4. Trapped Moisture (“Swimmer’s Ear”)

If your dog loves swimming or your cat tolerates baths, water can become trapped deep inside the ear canal. Moisture softens the skin, disrupts normal ear flora, and allows yeast and bacteria to flourish.

Prevention:
Use a drying ear wash after bathing or swimming. TropiClean’s TropiClean HomeVet Enzymatic Ear Wash for Cats & Dogs delivers gentle, effective ear care with an advanced 8-enzyme blend that helps clean, soothe, and protect. This alcohol-free, non-stinging formula reduces itch, odor, and wax build-up while breaking down debris and inhibiting biofilm. Safe for daily use, it’s ideal after baths or swimming to prevent irritation and moisture-related issues.  gently removes moisture without irritation.

5. Foreign Objects or Debris

Grass seeds, dirt, pollen, and even small insects can lodge inside the ear canal. Pets often shake their head aggressively to try to dislodge the irritant.

If debris isn’t removed, it can cause infection or damage.

When this happens:
Let a vet remove anything lodged deep inside — at-home attempts can cause injury. But routine cleaning helps prevent buildup.

6. When It’s “Just” Grooming Needs

Sometimes the cause isn’t medical — it’s maintenance. Wax, dirt, and oils naturally accumulate inside the ear canal over time. Without regular cleaning, this buildup leads to itching, discomfort, and even infection.

• Matted hair around the ears traps debris
• Dirty paws spread bacteria when pets scratch
• Wax buildup creates warmth that yeast loves

Easy solution:
Regularly clean with TropiClean Mild Coconut Dog & Cat Ear Cleaning Wipes to make pet ear cleaning easy, gentle, and mess-free. Infused with soothing aloe and moisturizing coconut, these alcohol-free wipes lift away wax, dirt, and debris while helping to reduce odor and relieve itching.

How TropiClean Can Help Support Healthy Ears

TropiClean offers gentle, effective solutions to help support ear comfort and reduce irritation before bigger problems start.

● TropiClean Alcohol-Free Ear Wash for Dogs & Cats

A gentle way to clean, deodorize, and remove wax buildup. Perfect for routine ear care. Simply fill the ear canal, gently massage, and wipe clean. Try TropiClean Alcohol-Free Ear Wash for Dogs & Cats, which gently removes wax, debris, and odors while soothing irritation, a mild, no-sting formula enriched with cocoa butter and oats.

● TropiClean HomeVet Enzymatic Ear Wash for Cats & Dogs

Vet-strength support for smelly ears, itchy ears, and pets prone to chronic irritation. A gentle, effective ear care with an advanced 8-enzyme blend that helps clean, soothe, and protect. This alcohol-free, non-stinging formula reduces itch, odor, and wax build-up while breaking down debris and inhibiting biofilm.

● TropiClean OxyMed Pet Anti-Itch Solutions

Shampoos, sprays, rinses, and wipes to soothe itchy skin around ears — especially helpful if allergies are a trigger. Try TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Anti-Itch Spray for Pets, it provides fast-acting relief for itchy, irritated skin caused by allergies, dandruff, and dryness.

● TropiClean Natural Pet Flea & Tick Solutions

If ear scratching is caused by flea bites around the ears, these formulas help support pets dealing with pest irritation.

● TropiClean Mild Coconut Dog & Cat Ear Cleaning Wipes

Pet ear cleaning easy, gentle, and mess-free. Infused with soothing aloe and moisturizing coconut, these alcohol-free wipes lift away wax, dirt, and debris while helping to reduce odor and relieve itching.

Regular ear care helps prevent discomfort, odor, and infections — and keeps your pet’s ears healthy year-round.

When to Call the Vet

Home care is helpful, but certain symptoms require prompt veterinary attention, including:

• Persistent odor
• Discharge that is brown, yellow, or bloody
• Sudden swelling
• Severe head shaking
• Visible pain
• Something lodged in the ear

Early treatment prevents chronic problems.

The Bottom Line

Ear scratching isn’t always a sign of a serious problem—but it is a sign your pet needs attention. With consistent ear care, gentle cleaning, and TropiClean solutions designed to soothe and protect, you can help keep your pet comfortable, healthy, and itch-free.

Whether your pet is prone to wax buildup, enjoys outdoor adventures, or just needs routine upkeep, TropiClean HomeVet Pet Ear and Skin Care products help you maintain clean, fresh ears—and a happier, healthier companion.