Golden Retrievers are prone to ear infections — their long, floppy ears trap moisture and limit airflow, creating the warm, damp environment where yeast and bacteria thrive. Goldens’ love of water makes it worse. Left unchecked, an infection becomes painful and chronic, so prevention and early action matter.
Warning Signs
- Scratching at the ears or rubbing the head on the floor
- Head shaking or tilting to one side
- A sour or yeasty smell, brown/yellow discharge, or redness inside the ear
Prevention
- Dry the ears thoroughly after every swim or bath — moisture is the main culprit
- Clean with a dog-specific ear cleaner: fill the canal, massage the base, let them shake, then wipe only what you can see
- Never push a cotton swab deep into the canal — it packs debris in and can damage the eardrum
- Clean routinely (roughly weekly to biweekly), but don’t over-clean — that irritates too
Allergies Are Often the Root
Recurrent ear infections in Goldens are frequently a symptom of food or environmental allergies. If infections keep coming back despite good hygiene, treating the underlying allergy with your vet is the real fix.
When to See the Vet
Smell, discharge, pain, or head tilt call for a vet visit, not just home cleaning — the treatment differs for yeast, bacteria, and ear mites, and a ruptured eardrum changes what’s safe to use.
Bottom line
Dry those ears after every swim, watch for the smell, and don’t dig deep with swabs. Chronic infections point to allergies — work with your vet to solve the cause.
See also: Nail & Paw Care · More Health & Care
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