Dog Has Scabs On Ears: Top Causes & Vet Advice

This article was updated on August 2nd, 2023

A dog’s skin can be a finicky thing. It’s susceptible to irritations, infections, and a large variety of lumps and bumps. Even though lumps and scabs are come across fairly commonly in our canine companions, they can still be very frustrating to diagnose and deal with. This includes finding scabs on your dog’s ear.

This article will walk you through the causes of scabs on a dog’s ears, what they look like, and how to treat them.

What Are the Causes of Scabs on a Dog’s Ears?

Scabs on a dog’s ears can appear differently depending on what is causing them. So, let’s take a look at the most common causes of scabby ears and what you can do about them.

1. Allergies

Dogs can develop allergies to things in their environment as well as to ingredients in their food. Both types of allergies can lead to skin that is dry, itchy, and inflamed. Dogs may also develop chronic ear infections with allergies. The combination of an ear infection and itchy skin can leave some dogs scratching or rubbing their ears, creating scabs on the ear flaps as well as under the flap near the ear canal.

Signs that your dog has allergies: Dogs may also be itchy or have a rash in their ears or on other areas of their body, have a smelly discharge from their ears, or frequently shake their head.

How it is treated: Allergies are best treated by removing the allergen from a dog’s environment or diet, if possible. Since this can’t always happen, the next best treatment is antihistamines and anti-inflammatories, as well as treating any ear infections or scabs with topical antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatories. Learn more about allergies and skin rashes in dogs.

2. Ear Infections

This was covered a bit in the allergies section, but not all ear infections stem from allergies. Ear infections may be common in pups with floppy or heavy ears. Think Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. Bacteria and yeast love to grow where it’s dark, warm, and moist, some things that these floppy ear flaps provide in the ear canal.

Signs that your dog has an ear infection: When bacteria or yeast reproduction goes into overdrive in these ideal conditions, they create an itchy, smelly mess in the ear that your dog wants nothing more than to scratch. It’s the scratching that creates scabs on their ear flaps or on the base of the ear. You may also notice a smelly discharge, head tilt, and lots of head shaking, even if their ears appear to be clean.

How it is treated: Veterinarians will treat ear infections by cleaning and the application of antibiotics or antifungal ointments. View pictures of common ear infections, with veterinarian advice, or home remedies for ear infections.

3. Parasites: Fleas, Mites, and Mange

Our poor pups are subject to many types of external parasites, including fleas, scabies (mange), and ear mites. All of these are capable of creating scabs on the ears.

Sarcoptic mange (scabies) is a mite infestation that is contagious and acquired through contact with the mites in the environment or from another animal (e.g., fox, coyote, other dog). These infestations are very itchy, and excessive scabbing of the skin is common. The most common areas affected are the ear flaps (margin), elbows and hocks (ankles), as pictured below.

Fleas cause irritation to the skin when they bite. Some dogs are especially sensitive and even allergic to flea saliva, causing an itchy mess that can lead to scabs when they scratch, as shown on the images below:

Mites and mange can also invade the skin, causing itching, skin inflammation, and hair loss. Ear mites like to target the ear canal, similar to an ear infection, and some types of mange prefer to live on the face. The ears may not be the only areas affected. Hair loss and scabs may occur anywhere on the body.

How it is treated: Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose external parasites with skin scraping. Most are treated with an antiparasiticide in the form of a bath, topical, or oral medication.

4. Injury

Injuries to ear flaps are common, especially if you have a puppy in your home. Ears can make the perfect chew toys, catch on things, or be affected by frost bite. With skin-breaking injuries come scabs. There may also be bleeding, swelling, redness, or bruising. Plus, injured ears are going to hurt. Dogs may shake their head, whine or cry when their ears are touched, or develop a secondary infection with a smelly, yellow discharge.

How it is treated: Gently cleaning an ear injury is the first step. From there, depending on the severity, you may need to have the wound stitched, wrapped, antibiotics, or other ointments to promote healing.

5. Seborrhea

Seborrhea is a disorder of the keratinization process where the outer layer of skin continuously renews itself. It can lead to scaly, greasy skin, often at the margins of the ears. Along with this excessive buildup of greasy scales, the skin can also become inflamed and infected, potentially leading to scabs on the ears and other areas of the body.

How it is treated: There is no cure for seborrhea, but it can be managed with shampoos and medications to help remove the scales and reduce inflammation.

6. Other causes of ear scabs

Some other causes of scabs on a dog’s ears include the autoimmune disease pemphigus foliaceus, which can cause hair loss, scabs, and other sores on the face, neck, and ears. Treatment requires immune suppression with medications.

Sunburn can also cause scabs on the ears, especially if the skin is damaged enough to blister. Sunburns happen more often in dogs with lighter-colored hair, and it may affect other lightly-haired parts of the body, including the nose and belly.

Are Scabs on Dog Ears Serious? Is My Dog Suffering?

Most cases of scabs on a dog’s ears are brought about because there is some type of inflammation and itchiness to the skin. While there are a few causes that are serious, most of them just cause your dog plenty of discomfort. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be addressed.

Will My Dog’s Scabs Go Away on Their Own? Can I wait-&-see?

Most of the time, scabs on your dog’s ears aren’t going to go away on their own. They will need some form of treatment to clear them up. In order to get the right treatment, you’ll need the right diagnosis, which most often will require veterinary care.

If your dog is experiencing any other issues, such as not eating, weight loss, extreme itchiness, a smelly discharge, or severe discomfort, see your veterinarian immediately. If they are only having mild discomfort without other signs, you may try some at-home treatments first, as discussed below.

What are the Treatments for Scabs on a Dog’s Ears?

As with any other dog health issue, the treatment for scabs on a dog’s ears will be directly related to the cause. Again, most causes of scabs on the ears are due to inflammation and itchiness of the skin. While most of these causes aren’t life-threatening, they are uncomfortable, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is best for your canine companion’s quality of life.

At-Home Treatments for Scabs on Ears

You’ll want to get a proper diagnosis before proceeding with any treatment; however, if your dog is only mildly uncomfortable, there are some things you can try at home before venturing to your vet.

Make sure your pup is up to date on their flea treatment. Steer clear of over-the-counter products as most aren’t as effective or safe as those you get from your veterinarian. This will help to rid your pup of any external parasites that could be causing scabs on their ears.

Check their ear canals for discharge. You can also clean the ears with a veterinary ear cleaner to help remove any excess gunk that could be causing itchiness. Of course, if the ear is also red and inflamed, or shows red spots or pimples, see your veterinarian.

Gently clean any bite wounds or lacerations with mild soap and warm water. Apply a triple antibiotic ointment if the wound is minor. More severe wounds will need veterinary treatment.

Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment

If your best at-home efforts aren’t showing some positive results within a day or two, or your pup is showing any signs, see your veterinarian. They may do some skin scrapings, ear swabs, or even bloodwork to determine the cause of your dog’s ear scabs. From there, they may prescribe antiparasiticides, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or a novel protein diet to help heal your dog’s ear scabs.

Recommended Products to Treat Scabs on Ears

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner is a go-to for veterinarians and dog parents for general cleaning of ears. Whether your pup is prone to ear infections or you just want to keep up on their ear health, regular or intermittent cleaning with Epi-Otic will help remove excessive wax buildup and debris as well as dry the ear canal to make it less hospitable to bacteria and yeast. See the listing on Amazon below:

Epi-Otic is used by filling the ear canal with the solution, massaging them at the base of the ear to loosen debris, and then wiping the ear canal clean with a dry paper towel on the end of your finger. Enlist the help of someone to hold your pup for easier application. Clean your dog’s ears as needed or as recommended by your vet.

Pet MD Ear Wipes are another great option for cleaning a dog’s ear flaps and outer ear canals. These ear wipes can help remove irritants, including allergens and dirt. They can also gently clean scabs and wounds to stop the itching and soothe irritated skin.

Ear wipes are extremely easy to use, and most dogs tolerate them very well. Just gently wipe the affected area with a clean wipe as needed or as recommended by your veterinarian.

Vetricyn Plus All Animal Skin Care Spray is a great all-around product to help with all of your dog’s minor wounds and skin irritation. Use Vetricyn to help soothe and heal scabs on the ears due to an injury or excessive scratching. Of course, you’ll want to treat the underlying cause of the itchiness as well, but this spray is a great option for starting the healing process.

The Prognosis for Scabs on a Dog’s Ears

Most scabs on your dog’s ears will heal up once the underlying cause is treated. That includes getting allergies and ear infections under control, getting rid of external parasites and preventing future injuries. Most long-term or serious causes, such as an autoimmune disease or seborrhea, will need to be managed with medications.

Scabs on Ears FAQs with the Vet

Why is my dog getting scabs on his ears?

Scabs on a dog’s ears may happen for a number of reasons, but most commonly follows some sort of skin irritation or inflammation that causes itchiness. A dog’s scratching is often what creates the scabs. However, it can also be the result of inflammation from an external parasite, injury, or autoimmune disease.

How do you help a dog’s ear scabs heal?

The best way to get a dog’s ear scabs to heal is to treat the cause. You’ll need to get rid of the source of the irritation to prevent future scabs from showing up. From there, you can use gentle cleansers and topical or oral medications to soothe and heal the skin.

What does it look like when a dog has ear mites?

Ear mites are extremely itchy. A dog may shake their head or scratch and rub their ears to try to get some relief. They may develop wounds or scabs at the base of their ears from scratching so hard. You may also notice a dark, crumbly discharge in the ear canal that resembles coffee grounds.

Should I pick ear scabs off my dog?

There is no need to pick the scabs off your dog’s ears. This can cause bleeding and even scarring. Instead, treat the cause of the scabs and then try to heal them with topical medications.

What kills dog ear mites instantly?

There are many medications suited for killing ear mites. Some are applied directly to the ear, others are applied to the skin or given orally. For the best efficacy and safety, only use products prescribed by your veterinarian.

How do I know if my dog has ear mites or an infection?

Ear mites and ear infections can appear very similar. They both cause itchiness and discharge. While there are some slight differences that you may note between ear mites and ear infections, the most definitive way is to have a veterinarian take an ear swab and examine it under a microscope. Read more: Dog yeast infection or ear mites?

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