Can a dog ear infection go away on its own?

You’re in the backyard, watching your pup chase a squirrel, when you notice they keep scratching their ear and shaking their head. That little redness inside their ear flap makes you wonder—can a dog ear infection go away on its own? It’s tempting to wait and see, especially if your dog seems only slightly bothered, but most vets warn against letting ear issues linger.

Ear infections in dogs often stem from trapped moisture, allergies, or even ear mites, and these causes rarely resolve without help. Left untreated, a mild infection can turn into a painful middle or inner ear problem, which might lead to hearing loss or balance issues. What’s more, in many places across Europe and North America, neglecting a pet’s obvious health needs could run afoul of animal welfare laws—these rules require owners to provide timely veterinary care when their pets show signs of distress, like constant ear scratching or whimpering when their ear is touched.

Even if your dog’s symptoms seem to fade after a few days, the infection might still be hiding. Dogs can’t tell you when their ear still aches, so what looks like recovery could just be them coping with low-level pain. Skipping a vet visit also means missing the chance to fix the root cause—like switching to a hypoallergenic dog food if allergies are to blame, or learning how to properly dry your dog’s ears after swimming (a common trigger for infections in breeds with floppy ears, like Cocker Spaniels or Basset Hounds).

When you do take your dog to the vet, they’ll check for signs of infection with an otoscope and might run a quick test to see if bacteria or yeast are present. Treatment usually involves ear cleansers and medicated drops, which are easy to administer at home once you get the hang of it. Following the vet’s instructions closely is key—stopping treatment early, even if your dog looks better, can let the infection come back stronger.

While a dog ear infection might seem like a small issue, it’s not worth waiting to see if it goes away on its own. Not only does prompt care keep your pup comfortable, but it also keeps you on the right side of local animal welfare laws and prevents more serious health problems down the line. Your dog relies on you to notice when something’s off—so trust that instinct and schedule that vet visit when you see those first signs of ear trouble.