Is your dog constantly scratching their ears? Do they shake their head, do their ears smell bad, and do you already know the way to the vet clinic by heart? Drops, antibiotics, they solve the problem... for a few weeks. Then it comes back. Always.
If you recognize yourself in this situation, I want to tell you something important: recurrent ear infections are almost never an ear problem. It is also often a symptom of an internal imbalance. And until we address the cause, the cycle will continue.
One in ten dogs: more common than you think
Otitis is not a rare little ailment. It is one of the most common health problems in dogs. The largest study on the subject analyzed the veterinary records of over 22,000 dogs, drawn from a population of over 900,000 dogs monitored in the UK. The finding: the prevalence of otitis externa over one year was 7.3%, and other studies in general practice go up to 10%, or even more depending on the breed.
Reference: O'Neill, D.G., et al. (2021). Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 8:7. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
In other words, if your dog gets recurrent ear infections, you are not alone. And in this article, I will help you with my agronomist approach.
Why do ear infections always come back?
The classic treatment (drops, cleaning, antibiotics) acts on the symptom. It eliminates the present infection, but does not address why the infection set in. It's like emptying a leaking bucket without plugging the hole.
In my practice, when I see a dog with recurrent ear infections, the first question I ask is not "what treatment did it receive?". It's: "what is it eating?"
What science says: diet directly influences the risk of ear infections
A study conducted by the DogRisk research group at the University of Helsinki followed over 3,000 dogs from the beginning of their lives. What they observed is striking: dogs that received a raw, unprocessed meat-based diet during their first months developed far fewer ear infections as adults. Those fed mostly ultra-processed dry food developed more.
And it wasn't even necessary to change everything overnight. As soon as about a quarter of the plate consisted of raw food, the risk already decreased.
Reference: Hemida, M., et al. (2023). Early life programming by diet can play a role in risk reduction of otitis in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This does not mean that diet explains everything, and an established ear infection always needs to be managed by a veterinarian. But it confirms something I have observed for years: your dog's ear health extends far beyond just the ear. It often starts in the bowl.
The link between diet and ear infections: what no one tells you
Yeast: the enemy that feeds on sugar
The majority of chronic ear infections in dogs are caused by an overgrowth of yeast, particularly Malassezia pachydermatis. These yeasts are naturally part of the dog's normal flora. The problem is when they proliferate excessively.
And what feeds them? Sugar and carbohydrates. Commercial kibble, even the best, contains a minimum of 30 to 50% carbohydrates. This is the yeast's favorite fuel. A dog eating kibble offers these yeasts a daily feast.
Result: yeasts proliferate in the gut, on the skin, in the ears. And local treatments only temporarily repel them, without ever addressing the source.
Food allergies
The other major cause I often see: food intolerances or allergies. Several foods can trigger an inflammatory reaction in sensitive dogs. This inflammation often manifests as skin problems and ear infections.
Often, a dog allergic to an ingredient in its food will have recurrent ear infections as long as it continues to eat that ingredient. No matter how many treatments.
Leaky gut and imbalanced microbiota
An imbalanced gut microbiota weakens the immune system. And a weakened immune system can no longer control the proliferation of yeasts and bacteria. It's a vicious cycle: poor diet, imbalanced microbiota, weakened immunity, recurrent ear infections.
💡 Did you know? 70% of a dog's immune system is in its gut. A healthy gut is the first line of defense against infections, yeasts, and allergies.
Signs that your dog's ear infections are diet-related
Here are the clues that point to an internal cause rather than a simple ear problem:
- Ear infections return within weeks of each treatment
- Your dog also has itching elsewhere
- They lick their paws compulsively (classic sign of yeast)
- Their ears have a yeasty, bready, or popcorn-like smell
- They have recurrent digestive problems (loose stools, gas, vomiting)
- Symptoms worsen in summer or after periods of stress
- They have been eating kibble for a long time
💡 If your dog checks several of these boxes, there's a good chance that their diet is at the heart of the problem. The good news: this is something that can be changed.
Daily preventive measures
While addressing the underlying cause, here are two simple habits that can really help:
Dry ears after swimming
Moisture is the best friend of yeasts and bacteria. After each bath or swim, take the time to thoroughly dry your dog's ears with a soft cloth. This simple gesture can significantly reduce the risk of ear infection.
The water-vinegar cleaning: a vet trick that really works
A tip I've seen make a real difference in several dogs: clean the ears with an equal parts water and white vinegar mixture (50/50), every two days, when there are secretions. Vinegar creates an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of yeasts and bacteria. It's simple, natural, and effective for prevention. Caution: do not use if the ear is already infected or injured, and always validate with your veterinarian.
Where to start: diet first
The first thing to look at is what your dog eats. A diet low in carbohydrates and rich in quality proteins deprives yeasts of their fuel. If your dog eats kibble, check the ingredient list: if the first 5 ingredients include corn, wheat, rice, or other cereals, potatoes, or legumes, it's a problem.
For dogs with chronic ear infections, I often recommend a fresh raw diet and, subsequently, an elimination diet under my supervision if the problem does not improve. It's a process that requires rigor, but the results can be spectacular. To learn more about the benefits of raw food, consult our complete article on the subject. If you want to start improving your dog's diet right away, my training Optimize your dog's health can help you with that.
Natural supplements to break the cycle of ear infections
In parallel with an improved diet, three supplements can make a real difference:
1. Probiotics: rebalancing the microbiota
If 70% of the immune system is in the gut, rebalancing the microbiota is the number one priority. Probiotics help restore healthy gut flora, which strengthens immunity and reduces yeast overgrowth.
Pattedeau Bio's Bioflora is a complete probiotic specifically formulated for dogs. It is the first supplement I recommend for dogs with recurrent ear infections.
2. Liposomal turmeric: deep inflammation reduction
Chronic inflammation is at the heart of recurrent ear infections. Turmeric, in its liposomal form, is one of the most powerful and well-studied natural anti-inflammatories. It acts deeply to reduce the inflammation that fuels itching and infections.
Pattedeau Bio's Curcuplex is formulated with liposomal turmeric with 29 times greater absorption than ordinary turmeric. Approved by Health Canada, it is suitable for dogs of all ages. 4.85/5 based on 115 reviews.
3. Omega-3s: supporting the skin barrier and reducing inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, and DPA) play an essential role in skin health and inflammation regulation. A dog well-supplied with omega-3s has a stronger skin barrier, less permeable to yeasts and bacteria.
Pattedeau Bio's seal oil is one of the most concentrated and assimilable sources of omega-3s available for pets.
🐾 Pattedeau Bio's Immunity & Itch Set combines these three supplements (Bioflora, Curcuplex, and seal oil) in a natural and complete approach to break the cycle of ear infections and itching.
4.88/5 based on 556 reviews.
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How long before seeing results?
This is the question all dog parents ask me. The honest answer: it depends on the cause and the duration of the problem. In general:
- 2 to 4 weeks: improvement in itching and general condition
- 4 to 8 weeks: noticeable reduction in the frequency of ear infections
- 3 to 6 months: deep rebalancing of the microbiota and immunity
The key is regularity. And changing the diet along with the supplements significantly speeds up the results.
Sunny's story: when the answer was in the bowl
I couldn't talk about recurrent ear infections without mentioning Sunny, my dog. She often had them. We treated them, they came back. It was by doing an elimination diet that we found the culprit: duck. As soon as we removed duck from her diet, the ear infections stopped.
Today, as soon as I see the first signs (she starts scratching her ear, slight odor), I clean her ears with the 50/50 water-vinegar mixture. And it's sorted. No vet, no antibiotics. Just prevention and an adapted diet.
It is this experience, combined with years of practice with hundreds of dogs, that convinced me that diet is key. Not the only answer, but often the most important.
FAQ: recurrent ear infections in dogs
My vet says it's just a matter of anatomy (floppy ears). Is that true?
Anatomy can promote ear infections (less air circulation), and studies confirm this. But it doesn't explain why some floppy-eared dogs never get them and others get them repeatedly. In my practice, diet is almost always a key factor in chronic dogs.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to its food?
An elimination diet is the most reliable method. It involves eliminating all suspected ingredients for 8 to 12 weeks and observing the results. It is important to do this exercise under the guidance of a professional to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Is the water-vinegar mixture safe for cleaning ears?
Yes, for prevention and when there are slight secretions. The recommended ratio is 50/50 water and white vinegar, every two days. Do not use if the ear is already infected or injured. Always validate with your veterinarian.
Can probiotics really help ear infections?
Yes, and it's something I observe regularly. By rebalancing the gut microbiota, probiotics strengthen the dog's overall immunity, which reduces its susceptibility to infections and yeast overgrowth.
Do I have to stop veterinary treatments?
No. Veterinary treatments are necessary to treat active infection. The natural approach complements this by addressing the underlying cause and preventing recurrence. The two are not incompatible.
Is Curcuplex suitable for cats?
No, Curcuplex is not approved for cats. Bioflora and seal oil, however, are suitable for cats.
Can these supplements be given to a dog taking medication?
Always validate with your veterinarian if your dog has a health condition or is taking medication. Natural supplements can be used as support, but some interactions are possible.
My dog licks its paws in addition to ear infections. Is that related?
Most likely. Compulsive paw licking is a classic sign of yeast overgrowth. If your dog has both recurrent ear infections and licks its paws, diet and yeast are almost certainly to blame.
In summary
Recurrent ear infections are exhausting for your dog and for you. But it's not inevitable. By addressing the true cause, whether it's diet, yeast, food allergies, and an imbalanced microbiota, we can truly break this cycle. Veterinary treatments treat the symptom. Diet and natural supplements address the source. Your dog's ear health starts in the bowl.
⭐ The Immunity & Itch Set: 4.88/5 based on 556 reviews. Dog parents see a significant reduction in ear infections and itching after a few weeks of regular use.
Discover the Immunity & Itch Set → | View Curcuplex → | View Bioflora → | View Seal Oil →
Karine Simard, Agronomist, M. Sc.
Expert Consultant in Canine Nutrition and Prevention
Pattedeau Bio
