Why does my puppy's ears smell?
A mild smell from a puppy's ears is often just wax and warmth doing what ears naturally do, but a stronger, yeasty or unpleasant odour usually means something is building up in there that is worth a proper look. It is worth booking a vet check if the smell is strong, if your puppy is scratching or shaking their head, or if you can see redness or discharge.
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.
Common, everyday causes
Ear wax is produced naturally and some smell is completely normal, particularly in breeds with floppy ears where airflow is more limited than in a dog with upright ears. Moisture trapped after a bath, a swim, or even a wet walk can also encourage a smell, because a warm, damp ear canal is exactly the environment where odour-causing organisms build up faster than usual.
Puppies with heavily furred or floppy ears — spaniels and similar breeds are a good example — are more prone to this simply because of how their ears sit and how little air reaches the canal compared with a dog with more open, upright ears.
Causes that need a proper look
Ear mites are common in puppies, especially those who have spent time around other dogs or cats before coming home, and typically cause intense itching alongside a dark, coffee-ground-like debris in the ear along with the smell. This is not something to try to diagnose yourself from a description online — a vet can confirm it with a simple look and treat it properly.
A yeast or bacterial overgrowth in the ear canal is another common cause of a strong smell in puppies, often linked to an underlying allergy — food or environmental — that is making the skin inside the ear more prone to problems. Left unaddressed, this tends to get worse rather than resolve on its own, which is why persistent smell is worth acting on rather than waiting out.
Red flags that mean a vet visit
Book your puppy in if the smell is strong or getting worse, if they are shaking their head repeatedly or scratching at one or both ears, if you notice redness, swelling, or any discharge, or if they seem uncomfortable when the ear is touched. These are signs of something that needs proper treatment rather than home management.
A vet can look inside the ear canal properly and take a sample if needed to work out exactly what is going on, which is not something that can be reliably worked out from symptoms alone — two very different causes can smell and look similar from the outside.
Keeping ears healthy day to day
Drying ears gently after a bath or swim, particularly on floppy-eared breeds, reduces how often moisture gets the chance to sit and cause problems. A proper ear cleaner designed for dogs, used as part of a regular grooming routine rather than only when something already smells off, helps keep wax from building up to the point where it causes odour.
Never put cotton buds or anything else down into the ear canal itself — clean only the parts you can see, and leave anything further in to a vet with the right tools to do it safely.
If your puppy's ears smell only mildly and there is no scratching, redness or discharge, it is reasonable to simply keep an eye on it and mention it at their next routine vaccination or check-up rather than treating it as urgent — but write down when you first noticed it, since that detail helps your vet judge whether it is getting better or worse.
Why puppies specifically are more prone to ear issues
A young puppy's immune system and skin barrier are both still maturing, which can make them more susceptible to picking up minor infections and irritations, ears included, compared with a settled adult dog. This is part of why smelly ears turn up so often in the first year of a dog's life.
Puppies who have recently spent time in a busy environment — a breeder, a rescue, or mixing with other young animals — are also more likely to have picked up something like ear mites before coming home, which is worth mentioning to your vet as part of their history if smelly ears show up early on.
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
- Why do puppies with floppy ears get smelly ears more often?
- Floppy ears reduce airflow into the ear canal, which keeps it warmer and damper than an upright ear, and that environment encourages the growth of yeast and bacteria that cause odour. Regular checking and gentle drying after baths or swims helps reduce the risk.
- Can ear mites cause a smell in puppies?
- Yes, ear mites are a common cause of both smell and intense itching in puppies, often alongside a dark, crumbly discharge. A vet can confirm this quickly with a simple examination and provide the right treatment, so it is worth booking in rather than guessing.
- How often should I clean my puppy's ears?
- This depends on the breed and how prone they are to build-up — floppy-eared breeds often benefit from more regular checks than upright-eared ones. Use a proper dog ear cleaner as part of a regular grooming routine, and never insert anything into the ear canal itself.
- When should I take my puppy to the vet for smelly ears?
- See your vet if the smell is strong or worsening, if your puppy is scratching or shaking their head, or if you notice redness, swelling or discharge. These signs point to something that needs proper examination and treatment rather than home care alone.
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.