Can itchy painful ears be a reaction to food?

July 21st 2022

If your pet is unfortunate enough to have ear problems, you might hear your vet describe your pet’s ear condition using the term ‘otitis’ which means inflammation of the ear. This is often followed by a description of where in the ear the problem is; dogs and cats can suffer from inflammation of the inner ear (otitis interna), middle ear (otitis media) or external ear canal (otitis externa). Otitis externa is the most common.

Causes of ear inflammation

Ear inflammation can have several causes, which is why your vet needs to diagnose the cause before they can recommend the correct course of treatment. Causes include bacterial, yeast or fungal infections, parasites such as ear mites, an adverse reaction to medication or food, environmental or flea allergies, foreign bodies such as a grass seed and certain conditions such as thyroid disease.

Signs of an ear infection

Ear conditions may be itchy, but they can often cause chronic pain, so booking in with your vet is essential.

Signs that your dog or cat is suffering from an ear infection include:

Ø  Red, swollen ears

Ø  Smelly ears

Ø  Scratching/pawing at the ear

Ø  Rubbing the ears on furniture or the carpet

Ø  Shaking their head

Ø  Discharge/wax from the ears

Ø  Ulceration/crusting if the problem persists untreated

Some breeds are more predisposed to ear infections. Spaniels and other breeds with ears that hang down are more likely to develop ear infections. However, a study of 22,000 dogs showed the worst effected breeds were the Basset Hound, Chinese Shar Pei, Labradoodle, Beagle and Golden Retriever . In cats, Persian and Himalayan breeds are more at risk.

How can diet be related to ear infections?

Research has shown that one cause of otitis externa is an adverse food reaction or AFR, although flea or pollen allergies are more common. Examples of AFRs include food allergies or intolerances. Unfortunately, if your vet rules out the other causes of otitis and suspects food, determining what ingredient your pet is reacting to can be tricky. Keeping a food diary (and recording what they’ve eaten when the ears flare up) can help, but the first step is usually to try a change in diet. Food allergies are usually reactions to proteins, so initially you should look for a protein your dog or cat has never eaten before – this is called a novel protein. For example, if your pet is fed on a chicken-based diet, try swapping to salmon or pork instead. Grain and gluten allergies are rare but changing to a grain free diet is another option for some pets. If this does not help, then your vet might suggest following an elimination/exclusion diet. Click here for more information.

If my dog has a yeast infection in his ears, does this mean they have to avoid yeast in their food?

Nutritional yeast and Brewer’s Yeast are often found in pet foods. They supply important nutrients such as beta glucans that can support the immune system, B vitamins and prebiotics to help the gut. There is no link between the yeast your pet eats in their food and a yeast overgrowth in the ear. However, yeast loves warm moist conditions, so if your dog has been swimming make sure you dry their ears thoroughly.

If your pet is suffering from recurrent ear infections and you would like to discuss their diet with us, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you: contact@vetskitchen.co.uk or 01254 54545.

Photo of dog with wet ears by Liesbet Delvoye on Unsplash