Why does my puppy have hot ears?
Warm ears on their own are often nothing to worry about — a puppy who has been lying in the sun, playing hard, or is simply excited will often have warmer ears than usual, the same as a flushed face after exercise. What matters more is whether the warmth comes with other signs, like redness, odour, scratching or head shaking, which point more clearly towards an ear problem rather than a passing, everyday cause.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
Everyday reasons a puppy's ears feel warm
Ears carry a lot of blood vessels close to the surface, which makes them one of the first places to feel warm after exercise, excitement, or simply being in a warm room or direct sun. This kind of warmth usually affects both ears evenly and settles down once your puppy calms down or cools off, often within twenty minutes or so of resting somewhere shaded.
A slightly warm ear with no other symptoms — no smell, no discharge, no scratching, and your puppy behaving completely normally otherwise — is rarely something to worry about on its own, and checking again once your puppy has settled is usually all that's needed to confirm nothing else is going on, especially the first few times you notice it.
When hot ears point to an infection
Ear infections are common in puppies, particularly floppy-eared breeds like spaniels and retrievers, where warmth and moisture build up more easily inside a closed ear canal that gets less air than an upright one. A prick-eared puppy can still develop an infection, just somewhat less often, so the actual signs matter more than the ear shape alone when deciding whether something needs a proper look. Alongside heat, look for a strong or unpleasant smell, dark discharge, redness inside the ear flap, or your puppy scratching at the ear or shaking their head repeatedly throughout the day.
An infection typically affects one ear more than the other, unlike general warmth from exercise or heat, which tends to be even on both sides. That difference between the two ears is often one of the clearer signs that something specific is going on rather than just general warmth from a warm day or a good run around.
Other possible causes
Occasionally, warm ears alongside a generally warm or unwell-seeming puppy can be part of a fever, though ear temperature alone is not a reliable way to judge whether a puppy has one — a proper temperature check is needed for that, and it's not something to attempt without guidance from your vet on the right technique and equipment to use.
Insect bites, a minor scratch from play, or an allergic reaction can also cause localised warmth and redness in or around one ear, usually alongside visible swelling or a mark that helps explain what's going on rather than a vague generalised warmth across both ears at once.
When to see a vet
See your vet if warm ears come with a smell, discharge, scratching, head shaking, redness, or your puppy seeming generally unwell, rather than waiting to see if it clears up on its own. Ear infections in puppies are common and very treatable, but they don't usually resolve without proper attention and the right treatment.
It's also worth a check if the warmth is limited to one ear, keeps recurring, or your puppy seems bothered by having that ear touched, since these details help your vet identify what's actually going on rather than guessing from a description alone over the phone without seeing the ear directly.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
MPS Head Cover — Breathable Dog Head & Ear Protector
A comfortable, breathable alternative to the cone of shame — protects head and ear wounds or bandages while letting your dog move freely.
From£5.99
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£7.99
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
3M Synthetic Under Bandage Padding for Pets
A soft, breathable non-woven polyester padding layer designed to protect and cushion beneath bandages on dogs and cats.
From£9.49
Common questions
- Is it normal for a puppy's ears to feel warm?
- Yes, often it's simply from exercise, excitement, sun or a warm room, and it settles down on its own once your puppy cools off. It only becomes a concern when it's paired with smell, discharge, scratching or head shaking.
- How can I tell if my puppy has an ear infection?
- Look for warmth combined with an unpleasant smell, dark discharge, redness inside the ear, or your puppy scratching at the ear or shaking their head. Infections often affect one ear more noticeably than the other, unlike general warmth from exercise.
- Do floppy-eared puppies get ear infections more often?
- Yes, breeds with floppy ears tend to trap warmth and moisture inside the ear canal more easily than prick-eared breeds, which can make infections more common. Regular, gentle ear checks are worth building into a routine for these breeds.
- Should I clean my puppy's ears myself if they seem hot?
- It's best to have your vet check first rather than cleaning blind, since the wrong approach can push debris further in or irritate an already inflamed ear. Your vet can show you the right technique and products if regular cleaning is recommended.
- Can hot weather alone make a puppy's ears feel warm?
- Yes, a warm room, direct sun, or a hot day can all make a puppy's ears feel noticeably warmer to the touch, the same as their skin elsewhere. This settles once your puppy cools down, and on its own isn't a sign of anything wrong.
- How often should I check a puppy's ears normally?
- A quick look every week or so as part of general handling and grooming is a sensible habit, so you get to know what's normal for your puppy and can spot a change early, including what a healthy ear looks and smells like. Your vet can also check the ears at routine vaccination and check-up visits.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.