The Goldendoodle stinky ears syndrome is very much a real thing, although we would’ve liked it to be a myth like many other things about them, it’s not, and if your dog is suffering from it, you are definitely not alone.
Many dog owners find that their Goldendoodle’s ears smell bad, and it can be a real challenge to get rid of the smell. You should know that it’s more common with Goldendoodles and double-coated breeds than with other dogs, so it’s not such a surprise that your dog’s ears will smell.
So, why does your Goldendoodle ears smell? Goldendoodle’s ears usually smell because they tend to inherit inner ear hair that can block the airflow, and like other dogs, if their ears are left unchecked or uncleaned for a while it becomes a fertile breeding ground for bacteria due to the moisture stuck inside their ears and eventually leads to bad odor.
Keep reading to know more about the reasons that cause the bad odor in your Goldendoodle’s ears and the best tips for cleaning their ears and how to prevent their ears from developing this bad smell in the first place.
Why Does Your Goldendoodle’s Ears Smell?
There are a few reasons why your Goldendoodle’s ears might smell bad.
- Inner hair
- Allergies
- A buildup of the ear wax
- Bacterial Infections
- Yeast infections
Inner Hair
One common reason is that their inner ear hair can grow too long and block the airflow.
This trapped moisture can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which will eventually cause an unpleasant odor.
Allergies
Another common reason for stinky ears in Goldendoodles is that they are prone to allergies.
Allergies can cause inflammation in the ears, which can lead to excess wax production and an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. This can also result in a bad smell.
A Buildup Of The Ear Wax
If your Goldendoodle’s ears are not cleaned regularly, earwax and dirt can build up and cause an unpleasant odor.
That is why you should always clean your Goldendoodle’s ears regularly.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections are another common cause of stinky ears in Goldendoodles.
If your dog has a bacterial infection, their ears will often smell bad and they may also have discharge.
Signs of bacterial infections include:
- Head shaking
- Odor
- Itchiness
- Dark discharge
- Scabs in the ears
- Swelling of the ear canal
- Excessive scratching at the affected ear
- Signs of being in pain
- Redness of the ear canal
- Crusting in the ears
If you notice one or a few of these signs, you should take your Goldendoodle to the vet as soon as possible and have them checked. Your vet will probably do some cleaning and then prescribe them an antibiotic. Please don’t get them an over-the-counter antibiotic yourself without discussing it with your vet.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are also a common cause of stinky ears in Goldendoodles. Yeast is a type of fungus that can grow out of control in warm, moist environments.
The ear canal is the perfect place for yeast to grow because it is dark and moist.
Signs of yeast infections include:
- Itchy ears
- Smelly ears
- Brown, yellow, or white discharge
- Pawing their ears
- Red Irritated ear
If you see any or all of these symptoms, you should visit the veterinarian as soon as possible.
How To Get Rid Of Your Dog’s Smelly Ears?
Now that you know the common reasons for stinky ears in Goldendoodles, let’s talk about how to get rid of the smell.
There are a few things that you can do at home to help get rid of the odor and keep your dog’s ears smelling fresh.
The most important thing that you can do to help keep your Goldendoodle’s ears smelling good is to clean them regularly.
You should clean their ears at least once a week, but if they are prone to getting infections or allergies, you may need to clean them more often.
There are a few different ways that you can clean your dog’s ears. I prefer to use something readymade like the TropiClean Ear Solutions For Pets, but you can make your own at home using vinegar and water.
If you choose to make your own ear cleaner, be sure to mix the vinegar and water in equal parts. Another option is to use a cotton ball or Q-tip to clean the inside of their ears.
Be very careful not to push the cotton ball or Q-tip too far into their ear canal, as you could damage their eardrum.
You should also be careful not to get any of the cleaning solutions in your dog’s eyes.
How To Make Sure Your Dog Doesn’t Get Stinky Ears Again?
Here is the ultimate step-by-step guide to show you how to clean your Goldendoodle by yourself easily and make sure they never get stinky ever again.
Get the Right Products
First, there are a few products you need to get for this process, the products that every groomer uses for this process.
If you already have them at your home then great, but if you don’t then you need to do some shopping.
I am only going to recommend what I usually use but if there is any brand that you are more comfortable with, then you should always get what makes you comfy and whatever is the safest choice for your pup.
Summer’s Eve Extra Cleansing Vingegar & water Douche.
You should only use this product if what’s causing the smell is allergies, it will eliminate any bad odor in your dog’s skin.
Give them a good bath
Now all you gotta do is shower your dog and after using a good shampoo, you just apply the product and massage it on their fur to make sure it is soaked in. You can check my recommended shampoos for dogs here.
Leave it for ten minutes and during that time just massage your pet, then rinse it well and then dry them with a towel to remove any excess water.
Use light mist
That’s when the role of the light mist comes in, I prefer using the Nature’s Specialties Odor Terminator Spray for Pets.
Spray it all over their coat and avoid their eyes then massage it into their coat and dry them with a blow dryer as usual.
Now, you can get to their ears if they already have an ear infection, you should take them to the vet, but if the case is the ear wax buildup or moisture.
Then you should probably purchase a gentle ear, soak a cotton ball with the solution and start to wipe their ears but only as far as you can see, meaning that you should only remove the debris you see, and don’t get deep in their ears because you may harm them accidentally.
Once the cotton ball absorbed all the dirt it can take, soak another cotton ball and continue the procedure till there is no debris left then do the other ear, and repeat once a week if you can.
Here is a simple educational video to help you out, so you can see the little details, steps and follow them accurately.
You can also check out our guide to cleaning and plucking your dog’s ears here.
If you liked this article and found it helpful, you can share it with your friends and family, they may be having the same problem and need help, and if you are having any issue with your pup, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Related Questions
Why Do Goldendoodles Smell So Bad?
Goldendoodles can smell bad for many reasons such as they may have an ear infection, allergies, ear wax buildup, moisture in their ears, bad breath, anal glands, Health issues, Lack of hygiene, and poor diet.
How Often Should I Bathe My Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles should be bathed once a month, but if they are dirty or have a bad odor, you may need to bathe them more often, however, you shouldn’t bathe them too often because it can dry their skin and cause dandruff which can cause bad odor, so instead, you can use dry shampoo or spray.
Can I Clean My Goldendoodle’s Ears at Home?
Yes, you can clean your Goldendoodle’s ears at home using a cotton ball or Q-tip. Be very careful not to push the cotton ball or Q-tip too far into their ear canal, as you could damage their eardrum. You should also be careful not to get any of the cleaning solutions in your dog’s eyes.
Helpful Resources
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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