What does Dog Ear wax look like? A Complete Guide

Key takeaway Dog earwax ranges from pale yellow to brown and even gray. The only way to tell if this is normal is by examining your dog’s ears for signs of infection, including redness, discharge, odor, inflammation, and so on. If these common symptoms are present, consult your veterinarian.

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Your dog’s ears are made up of three essential components: the outer ear canal, middle ear, and inner ear. Each section plays a vital role in maintaining proper ear health and provides your dog with extraordinary hearing capabilities. Another vital component is your dog’s earwax, which keeps the ear clean and free of debris, protecting the inner workings of the ear.

That said, a sudden change in your dog’s earwax color can be alarming and potentially indicate an underlying issue. But, what exactly does healthy earwax look like? In this guide, we’ll provide you with a helpful dog earwax color chart to help you determine if it’s time to get your dog’s ear checked. We’ll also show you how to clean your dog’s ears properly and keep them gunk-free.

Earwax, or cerumen, is a naturally-occurring substance that develops in the external portion of the ear canal. This oily substance is secreted by the glands in your dog’s ears and is essential to protecting the ear’s structure from damage caused by dust, debris, bacteria, dead cells, and other foreign particles1. Due to its water-repelling properties, earwax also hinders moisture entry and prevents it from reaching the eardrum.

Earwax can be all sorts of colors, from dark gray to light brown and pale yellow. If you’re wondering what color should normal dog earwax be, use the dog

Color	Possible Indication
No Discharge	Infection unlikely Inflammation, pruritus of pinna (outer ear) could indicate allergies
Dark Brown/Black	Associated with yeast-related ear infections Veterinary consultation recommended
Brown	Healthy ear wax can range from yellow to light brown to black Odor or inflammation may indicate infection Veterinary consultation recommended
Yellow	Normal ear wax can range from yellow to light brown to black Pinna (outer ear) should appear pinkish Neutral odor May be associated with ear infections
Red	Bloody ear wax could indicate injury or bug bites Pruritus may also be present Veterinary consultation recommended
Green	Green ear wax accompanied by foul odor is associated with yeast and fungal infections Veterinary consultation recommended
Gray	May indicate presence of dirt Can be associated with ear infections

No discharge—No discharge or earwax means that an infection is unlikely. However, if the inflammation of the outer ear is present, it can indicate allergies.

Dark brown or black—This type of earwax is commonly associated with yeast and/or bacterial ear infections. It’s a good idea to consult with a veterinarian if earwax is this color.

Brown—Light brown earwax is normal and expected. If the wax is accompanied by odor or inflammation, it can be a sign of infection. Veterinary consultation is recommended.

Yellow—Yellow earwax is considered normal, but an infection can be festering if there’s swelling, redness, or discomfort.

Red—Red earwax can indicate the presence of blood. This can be due to injuries, bug bites, or irritation caused by pruritus (itchiness). Veterinary consultation is recommended to identify the cause of red earwax.

Green—This earwax color is often associated with yeast infections, especially if a foul odor is also present.

Gray—Gray-colored earwax can result from an ear infection, but it can also indicate dirt and debris build-up. Clean your dog’s ears and see if their earwax returns to a normal color, such as yellow or light brown.

Besides earwax color, you should also keep an eye on its consistency and amount. For example, if the earwax is oozing instead of semi-soft, or if there’s an overproduction of earwax, it could indicate an underlying issue.

Despite ear cleaning being essential to a dog’s hygiene, many pet parents avoid cleaning their dog’s ears. If you’re in this category, we’ve got you covered. We’ve broken down the ear cleaning process into a few simple steps:

Fortunately, you don’t need special or expensive tools to clean your dog’s ears. Instead, you’ll gather real cotton balls or gauze and a vet-approved ear cleaning solution. Other cleaning agents may contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that irritate your dog’s ears. Make sure to also avoid cotton swabs to prevent damaging the ear canal or drum and pushing earwax further into the ear.

Position your dog in front of you and fill their ear canal with the cleaning solution for 30 seconds. Then, gently massage around the base of the ear for approximately 40 seconds. To prevent contamination, dont let the tip of the applicator touch the inside of your dog’s ears. If this happens, wipe the tip off with alcohol.

Allow your dog to vigorously shake their head and remove all of the solution from their ears. This will loosen the earwax, making it easier to clean up.

Use the cotton balls to wipe the waxy debris out from the ears.

Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 a minimum of four or five times until no further waxy debris is found on the cotton balls. Repeating the steps allows you to provide your dog with a more thorough cleaning.

Don’t forget to reward your dog for cooperating!

Some dogs may need more ear cleaning than others, especially if they’re more prone to ear infections or wax build-up, while others may never need their ears cleaned2. A vet can guide you to determine a cleaning schedule that works for you and your pet. Once a schedule is in place, you’ll be able to notice changes in your dog’s ears or wax easily. It’s also a great idea to start cleaning your dog’s ears when he is a puppy so he will be used to the cleanings as he gets older.

Remember, your dogs ears should appear pink and be free of foul-smelling odors or discharge. You also don’t want to clean too often as that can result in irritation or an infection2. And, if you notice any pain while cleaning your dog’s ears, stop what you’re doing and contact your veterinarian.

If your anxious dog stresses about ear cleanings, use the following tips to make the process easier:

Play with your dog or go on a walk to tire them out before the ear cleaning

Distract your pet with treats, such as peanut butter or canned food

Start slowly and take breaks if your dog is showing signs of stress

Desensitize your dog by introducing them to the ear cleaning materials and practice handling their ears

Have a professional clean their ears

Ultimately, the only way to tell if earwax is normal is by watching out for signs of a dog ear infection, including inflammation, redness, frequent head shaking, head tilting, scratching, or discomfort. If your dog is experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, make sure to visit your veterinarian. Sometimes, inflammation may not be present on the outer portion of the ear, so a vet will have to conduct a proper exam using an otoscope (an instrument to look in the ear).

Dog ear infections can arise for several reasons, such as:

Dog allergies—Food, flea, or environmental allergies can affect your dog’s ears and cause repeat ear infections.

Ear mites—Small, spider-like parasites that are attracted to earwax and thrive in the dark environment ear canals provide. Most often, mites will be so tiny you can’t see them without the right equipment, so a trip to the vet is necessary.

Once the vet has determined the root of your dog’s ear infection, they can prescribe treatment and help your dog bounce back from their condition. With Dutch, you can get your dog’s ears checked out virtually and receive treatment for ear infections caused by allergies right to your doorstep.

Dog Ear Wax Guide:

Yes, earwax production is a normal bodily function for dogs and humans alike. Secreted by ear glands, earwax helps to prevent dust, dirt and bacteria from entering the ear and causing infection.

What causes excessive earwax in dogs?

There are lots of factors that can cause dogs to experience ear wax build ups. By being aware of the different triggers, you can help keep your dog healthy and lower the risks of infection.

Allergies are a common culprit of earwax accumulation in dogs.

When a dog suffers an allergic reaction, their skin barrier breaks down and wax production in the ear canal increases. Bacteria thrives under these conditions, increasing the risk of inflammation and irritation.

If your dog suffers from hay fever, you may find them scratching at their ears excessively. In this situation, its important to consult a veterinarian and seek ways to reduce their exposure.

Ear mites are contagious parasites that are easily spread among dogs. These mites cause pain and inflammation, and are often associated with a dark red, brown or black shade of earwax.

As with allergies, its vital to contact a veterinarian as soon as you notice any changes in your dogs earwax. Ear mites arent always easy to spot, which is why regular wellness checkups can help to keep dogs healthy.

Unfortunately, some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others. If your dog suffers from infections regularly, your veterinarian may recommend them to wear a dog cone to prevent scratching.

A dog earwax colour chart can help to identify healthy earwax, enabling you to spot the signs of potential issues early on.

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Ear wax is one of the first signs of a change in your dog’s ear health. Read on to find out what it means if your dog’s ear wax changes colors with our chart.

Part of responsible dog grooming and maintenance is keeping a close eye on what’s happening in our canine companion’s ears. It may not be pleasant to contemplate, but dog ear wax and discharge color are tell-tale signs of ear health. Whether it’s black gunk in our dog’s ears or excessive dark brown ear wax, we need to know what each color can tell us.

So let’s go through what each type of ear wax can tell you about your dog, and you can use our dog ear wax color chart to help guide you.