Chronic Ear Infections in Dogs: What Causes Them, How to Treat Them, and How to Help Prevent Them for Good

Summary:

If your dog is constantly scratching their ears, shaking their head, or suffering from repeat infections, you’re not alone — chronic ear infections in dogs are incredibly common, and just as frustrating for owners as they are uncomfortable for pets. In this post, we’ll walk through what causes recurring ear infections, why diet plays a bigger role than most people realize, and how a gut-health-first approach to nutrition may help stop the cycle for good.

The Frustration of Recurring Ear Infections

An ear infection once or twice is one thing. But when it becomes a pattern — a monthly vet visit, constant itching, foul odor, or that all-too-familiar head tilt — it’s time to look deeper.

According to the AKC, ear infections are among the most common reasons dogs are brought to the vet. And as VCA Animal Hospital points out, the underlying cause is often chronic inflammation — not just bacteria or yeast.

In short: treating the infection is important. But preventing the next one is where real healing begins.

Common Signs of Ear Infections in Dogs

If your dog has any of the following symptoms, it may be more than “just itchy ears”:

Scratching at ears or shaking head frequently
Redness or swelling around the ear canal
Foul smell from ears
Discharge (brown, yellow, or bloody)
Tilting the head or trouble with balance
Whimpering when ears are touched

Some dogs are more prone to infections than others, especially those with floppy ears, heavy coats, allergies, or immune sensitivities.

Why Do Some Dogs Keep Getting Ear Infections?

According to AMC Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, recurring ear infections are often symptoms of deeper issues — not isolated incidents. Common root causes include:

Allergies (environmental or food-related)
Moisture buildup in floppy ears
Yeast or bacterial overgrowth
Hormonal imbalances
Poor gut health and immune dysregulation

That last one is key — and often overlooked.

The Gut-Ear Connection: Can Dog Food Cause Ear Infections?

It might sound surprising, but yes — your dog’s diet can directly contribute to chronic ear issues.

Why? Because food sensitivities and gut imbalance can lead to systemic inflammation, and one of the most common places that shows up is the ears.

Many commercial dog foods include:

Inflammatory grains (corn, wheat, soy)
High-glycemic carbs (potatoes, peas, rice)
Protein meals and byproducts
Fillers that disrupt gut bacteria

These ingredients can feed yeast, promote inflammation, and weaken the immune response — which creates a perfect storm for chronic infections.

So if you’re wondering, “Can dog food cause ear infections?” — the answer is: not always, but it can absolutely make them worse.

What Foods Cause Ear Infections in Dogs?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but common dietary triggers include:

Corn and wheat
Soy
Dairy
Chicken (in some sensitive dogs)
High-starch carbs that feed yeast (e.g. potatoes, peas)

If your dog is prone to yeast infections, especially in the ears, removing inflammatory or high-glycemic ingredients from their diet may be a game-changer.

Best Dog Food for Chronic Ear Infections? Look for These Qualities

When choosing dog food to help prevent ear infections, look for:

High animal-sourced protein (90% or more)
No corn, wheat, soy, or rice
Low glycemic carbs only
Natural anti-yeast support (like fiber and digestive enzymes)
Probiotics and prebiotics for gut balance
Minimal ingredients, clearly labeled

The Brothers Dog Food Approach to Chronic Inflammation

We’ve seen it time and again: dogs who struggled with recurring ear infections for years, finally find relief after switching to a gut-health-first formula.

Our recipes are designed to:

Avoid common allergens and inflammatory fillers
Starve yeast with low-glycemic carbs
Support the gut with enzymes and probiotics
Nourish the immune system with every meal

For dogs with food sensitivities, chronic itching, or recurring infections, we often recommend our Advanced Allergy Care recipe — formulated to calm the gut, reduce inflammation, and help break the cycle for good.

Don’t Just Treat — Prevent

According to the AKC’s ear infection prevention tips, regular cleaning, grooming, and drying ears after baths or swimming is critical — but that’s just the surface.

To truly protect your dog from recurring ear problems, you need to support:

Immune system balance
Healthy skin and microbiome
A resilient gut

And that starts in the bowl.

Final Thoughts: The Real Fix Is From the Inside Out

Chronic ear infections aren’t just an inconvenience — they’re a sign that your dog’s body is trying to tell you something. And when we listen, support the gut, and remove inflammatory triggers, real healing can happen.

Whether your dog has been to the vet three times this year or just had their first infection, the right food can make a difference.

Looking for a nutrition plan that supports the ears, the gut, and everything in between?
Explore Brothers’ recipes designed to nourish the immune system and help dogs feel good — from the inside out.