By GoldenRetriever.hair

If your Golden Retriever is scratching their ears constantly, head shaking, or pawing at one or both ears, it is reasonable to be concerned. Constant ear scratching in Golden Retrievers often points to ear infections (bacterial or yeast), allergies, less commonly ear mites, or irritation from moisture, wax, or debris. This guide is educational, not a diagnosis: it explains the most likely causes, what helps at home, and when a veterinary exam is the right next step.

If your Golden is scratching more at night or after swimming, that pattern can help narrow down the cause and point more strongly toward moisture, allergies, or early infection.

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Quick Answer

Most often, Golden Retriever scratching ears is driven by:

• 🐾Ear infections — one of the most common causes of Golden Retriever scratching ears, often involving bacterial and/or yeast overgrowth in the canal, along with odor, discharge, redness, and head shaking.
• 🐾Allergies — environmental or food-related inflammation that makes ear canals red, itchy, and prone to repeated infections.
• 🐾Ear mites — less common in many adult household Goldens but possible; often suggested by very itchy ears and dark, crumbly debris.
• 🐾Moisture and swimming — water trapped under the ear flap supports yeast and bacteria, especially without thorough drying.
• 🐾Wax and debris buildup — excess wax or trapped dirt increases itch and infection risk if cleaning is inconsistent.

If your dog shows strong odor, yellow/green discharge, obvious pain, head tilt, balance problems, or bleeding, do not wait—contact your veterinarian promptly. Ear problems can worsen quickly and become painful.

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Table of Contents

• 🐾Why Golden Retrievers Scratch Their Ears So Much
• 🐾Most Common Causes
  • 🐾Ear infections
  • 🐾Allergies
  • 🐾Ear mites
  • 🐾Moisture and swimming
  • 🐾Wax buildup and poor ear maintenance
• 🐾Signs It’s Serious (Don’t Ignore These)
• 🐾How to Help Your Golden Retriever (What Actually Works)
• 🐾When to See a Veterinarian
• 🐾FAQ
• 🐾Conclusion

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Why Golden Retrievers Scratch Their Ears So Much

Golden Retrievers have pendulous (floppy) ears. The ear flap limits airflow to the ear canal, so the canal stays warmer and more humid than in breeds with erect ears. That environment favors yeast and bacteria once the skin barrier is irritated—often from allergies, moisture, or scratching that damages the lining.

Goldens also have a thick coat around the head and ears. Hair and debris can hold moisture and trap irritants. Together, these traits make Golden Retriever ear problems common and explain why itchy ears and constant scratching show up so often in the breed.

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Most Common Causes

Ear infections

Ear infections are one of the top reasons a Golden Retriever keeps scratching ears. The canal becomes inflamed; your dog scratches, shakes their head, and may whine when the ear is touched.

Typical signs include:

• 🐾Odor — often strong or “yeasty.”
• 🐾Redness — of the ear flap or visible canal.
• 🐾Discharge — may be brown, yellow, or pus-like depending on the organism.
• 🐾Head shaking — repeated, sometimes violent.

Yeast vs. bacteria: Many infections involve both or start as one and progress. Yeast overgrowth often correlates with a musty smell and greasy debris; bacterial infections may produce more pus and odor. Only your veterinarian can identify what is present and prescribe appropriate treatment.

For a deeper overview of symptoms and veterinary care, see our Golden Retriever ear infections guide.

Allergies

Allergies are a major driver of Golden Retriever itchy ears and recurrent ear infections. Inflamed, itchy skin extends into the ear canal; dogs scratch and shake, which worsens irritation and invites infection.

Clues that allergies may be involved:

• 🐾Ear issues that come back after treatment.
• 🐾Paw licking, belly or armpit itch, or seasonal flares alongside ear symptoms.
• 🐾Improvement on allergy-directed plans discussed with your vet.

Allergies tie closely to broader skin itching. See our Golden Retriever allergies guide and, when nighttime scratching is part of the picture, Golden Retriever itching at night. For skin context, our Golden Retriever skin problems guide is also useful.

Ear mites

Ear mites (Otodectes) are less common in many adult Goldens that receive routine parasite prevention, but they still belong on the list when scratching is intense and debris looks like dark, coffee-ground material deep in the canal.

Mites are diagnosed by examination (often with an otoscope or microscopic evaluation). If you suspect mites, avoid guessing—your vet can confirm and treat.

Moisture and swimming

Goldens often love water. Moisture trapped in the ear canal after swimming or bathing raises the risk of yeast and bacterial overgrowth. If your dog swims regularly, drying the ears and following a vet-approved cleaning routine matters. See our Golden Retriever swimming guide for water safety and practical after-swim habits.

Wax buildup and poor ear maintenance

Some dogs produce more ear wax than others. Wax plus debris can block airflow, cause itch, and set the stage for infection—especially if ears are never checked between vet visits.

Routine, gentle cleaning can help, but over-cleaning or using the wrong products can also irritate. Regular maintenance and coat care also help reduce trapped debris around the ears, so this fits naturally into a broader Golden Retriever grooming guide routine. The next section also links to our Golden Retriever ear cleaning guide.

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Signs It’s Serious (Don’t Ignore These)

Seek urgent or same-day veterinary care if you notice:

• 🐾Obvious pain when the ear is touched, or crying when scratching stops.
• 🐾Head tilt or walking in circles.
• 🐾Balance issues, stumbling, or nystagmus (rapid eye movements).
• 🐾Constant scratching with bleeding or open wounds on the ear flap.
• 🐾Strong odor with swelling of the ear flap (aural hematoma risk from head shaking).
• 🐾Sudden hearing loss or extreme lethargy.

These signs can indicate severe infection, middle/inner ear involvement, or other conditions that need professional assessment—not home treatment alone.

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How to Help Your Golden Retriever (What Actually Works)

These steps support ear health and can reduce recurrence; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription treatment when infection is present.

Regular ear cleaning

Regular ear cleaning removes excess wax and debris, improves comfort, and helps dry the canal when done correctly. It is one of the most practical tools for Golden Retriever ear problems when your veterinarian has confirmed that cleaning is appropriate for your dog’s current ear condition.

Follow technique and frequency from our Golden Retriever ear cleaning guide. If the ear is painful, very red, or discharging, see your vet first before deep cleaning at home.

Keep ears dry

After bathing or swimming, gently dry the outer ear and ear opening with a soft towel. Do not force material deep into the canal. If your Golden swims often, ask your vet whether drying drops or a specific schedule is appropriate—especially if infections have been recurrent.

Address underlying allergies

Long-term improvement for itchy ears often requires allergy management (environmental control, flea prevention, diet trials when indicated, and medications your vet prescribes). Recurrent infections usually mean the underlying inflammation is still active. Revisit the Golden Retriever allergies guide with your veterinarian’s plan.

Vet treatment when needed

Prescription ear medications (and sometimes oral antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatories) target the infection and pain directly. Home care alone often fails when the canal is too inflamed, the eardrum status is unknown, or the wrong product is used. Your vet may also recommend ear cytology or other tests to choose the right treatment.

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When to See a Veterinarian

Schedule a veterinary visit if:

• 🐾Scratching or head shaking lasts more than a day or two without improvement.
• 🐾You smell odor, see discharge, or notice redness and swelling.
• 🐾Your dog won’t let you touch the ear or seems in pain.
• 🐾Ear problems keep returning after prior treatment.
• 🐾You are unsure whether cleaning is safe right now.

Early treatment usually means less pain, lower cost, and a lower chance of chronic changes in the ear canal.

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FAQ

Why does my Golden Retriever keep scratching one ear?

One-sided scratching often suggests a localized problem in that ear: infection, a foreign object (grass seed), polyp/mass, or asymmetric irritation. It still warrants a vet exam—especially if it is sudden or intense.

Can Golden Retrievers get ear mites?

Yes, though ear mites are less common in many adult dogs on consistent parasite prevention. Puppies and dogs with heavy outdoor exposure may be at higher risk. Dark debris and intense itch are clues; diagnosis is by veterinary exam.

How often should I clean my Golden Retriever’s ears?

There is no single schedule for every dog. Over-cleaning can irritate healthy ears. Many Goldens do well with a vet-recommended routine based on swimming frequency, allergy history, and past infections. Use our ear cleaning guide for safe technique and discuss timing with your veterinarian.

Can allergies cause ear infections in Golden Retrievers?

Yes. Allergic inflammation in the ear canal makes infections more likely. Recurring ear infections are a common reason vets investigate allergies. See Golden Retriever allergies guide.

What happens if an ear infection is left untreated?

Untreated infections can cause worsening pain, spread of infection, hearing issues, and balance problems if deeper structures are affected. Chronic inflammation can also narrow the canal, making future treatment harder. Prompt veterinary care is the safest approach.

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Conclusion

Golden Retriever scratching ears constantly is common, but it is not something to ignore. Ear infections, allergies, mites, moisture, and wax buildup are the usual explanations—and most cases are treatable when addressed early. Combine vet-directed treatment when needed with consistent, appropriate ear care and allergy management for the best long-term outcome.

For next steps, read our Golden Retriever ear cleaning guide, allergies guide, and itching at night guide if broader itching patterns overlap.