Dogs are equal members of the family, so if something is wrong with them, it’s taken seriously. So, it’s natural to be very serious when wondering, “Why does my dog’s ear make a crackling noise?” Well, there’s good news because we’ve got the answer for you.
Crackling noises in a dog’s ear can be a result of infection, injury, or a ruptured eardrum. You may need to consult with a vet or try home remedies to give your dog relief.
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Why Does My Dog’s Ear Make A Crackling Noise?
Dog’s ears can make crackling noises due to infection, injury, or a ruptured eardrum. It’s not necessarily easy to figure out which one it is though. The problem is that many of the symptoms for each of these issues are the same.
Some of the symptoms include a dog shaking its head and scratching its head. Their ears can also be red, swollen, painful to the touch, and discharging something that smells foul. If you see any of these symptoms, it’s typical to wonder just how normal they are.
Is It Normal For My Dog’s Ears To Make A Crackling Noise?
Occasionally, these noises can just happen. If you hear them, we suggest looking for other symptoms. It may be an emergency situation if the symptoms are severe enough, but even severe symptoms are probably still caused by an infection, injury, or ruptured eardrum.
What Causes These Infections?
There can be several causes of ear infections in dogs. These are long, floppy ears, abuse, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and certain skin problems. Also, water or dirt in the ear can lead to infection too.
What About Ruptured Eardrums?
A ruptured eardrum can be the result of abuse, infection, changes in atmospheric pressure, and foreign objects. When this happens, bacteria and fungi can enter the middle ear resulting in an infection too.
So, what can you do about all these potential issues?
The 4 Steps To Take If Your Dog’s Ear Is Making A Crackling Noise
What can you do if your dog’s ear is making a crackling noise?
Plenty, in fact. Let’s start with checking and cleaning them regularly.
1. Check And Clean Your Dog’s Ears Regularly
Preventing crackling noises in your dog’s ear before they happen is the best way to treat them. In this case, we recommend regularly checking your dog’s ears for signs of an issue. Catching issues early makes them far easier to treat. Although all dogs are different, ears that are pink, don’t have a smell, and aren’t dirty or inflamed are usually okay to leave as they are.
Another thing you can do is clean your dog’s ears regularly. This does not mean cleaning them every day or even every week though. It would be a good time to talk with your vet about how to best do this though.
Cleaning can take different forms. For example, you can wipes medically designed for a dog’s ears. You can also get a cleaning solution, which will require you to put it in the ear, massage the ear, let the dog shake its head, then clean out the excess with cotton.
2. Regularly Groom Your Dog
Some dogs, especially Samoyeds, have lots and lots of fur. If fur isn’t trimmed regularly, it can get into a dog’s ears. Aside from causing infections, a dog’s ears need to be free of fur so they get better circulation.
3. Call Your Vet
Even with regular care, infections and injuries happen anyway. In that case, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your vet. Let them figure out what’s going on and what the best steps are.
If your vet isn’t available, they will likely have numbers for emergency vets listed on their website. Use these if you need someone to see your dog right away.
4. Try A Home Remedy
We still recommend getting in contact with your vet before trying a home remedy (and also after using one too). Although home remedies can work for crackling noises in a dog’s ears, they won’t be as effective as what a vet can do. Plus, they’ll only work for some infections and your dog may be allergic.
If you’d like to try one, there are two that have some proof they work: green tea and apple cider vinegar.
For green tea, put it on a pure cotton ball and wipe the ear with it.
For apple cider vinegar, mix it with equal parts water, put it on a pure cotton ball, and wipe the ear with it.
One thing we don’t recommend doing is using alcohol.
Summary: Why Does My Dog’s Ear Make A Crackling Noise?
So, when it comes to, “Why does my dog’s ear make a crackling noise?” there are 3 common problems: infection, injury, or ruptured eardrum. By now you know all the steps you can take to either prevent or treat these issues though. Your dog will thank you.
Now, you’ve got us curious. What are some other weird noises you’ve heard from your dog? Let us know your stories in the comments below!