Does Your Dogs Ears Smell Like Corn Chips?

​We had a dog in for grooming just the other day and the poor pupper had a terrible ear problem. Yucky discharge would ooze from deeper in the ear, crust had formed along the ears edge and the internal areas were red and painfully swollen.
Plus…the ear smelled like ‘Stale Corn Chips’…
The toughest part is that this little guy had been fighting this problem for over 2 years and it prompted a deep discussion with the customer about what was really going on because they’d tried Anti-Biotics, they tried Ear Washes, but they’d never tried what we suggested and they are now…

What do ‘Yeasty Ears’ look like?
A yeast infection in a dog's ear can be quite uncomfortable for the animal and is typically characterized by several noticeable symptoms:

1. Appearance of the Ear: The inside of the ear may look red and swollen. In some cases, the skin in the ear canal might appear thickened or have a leathery texture.
2. Discharge: There is often a noticeable discharge that may be yellow, brown, or have a black, tar-like consistency. The discharge is usually accompanied by a foul or musty odor (corn chip smell).
3. Behavioral Changes: Dogs with a yeast infection in the ear often exhibit signs of discomfort such as shaking their head frequently, scratching at the affected ear, or rubbing the ear against furniture or the ground.
4. Odor: A strong, musty odor is typically associated with yeast infections due to the type of yeast (often Malassezia fungus) involved.
5. Crusting and Scaling: You might see crusting around the ear flap, or scaling inside the ear as the infection progresses.

​What Causes This Problem?
Yeast infections in dogs, especially in the ears, are a common ailment that can cause discomfort and chronic issues for our furry friends. One often overlooked contributor to this condition is the presence of sugars in regular dog food. These sugars can exacerbate yeast growth, leading to infections. Understanding how diet influences yeast infections can help pet owners make better choices for their dogs' health.

​Sugar's Role in Yeast Growth
Yeast thrives on sugars, and the more sugar there is in your dog’s diet, the higher the risk of yeast overgrowth. Many commercial dog foods contain high levels of carbohydrates, which break down into sugars.
They need the carbs in order to form ‘Kibble’, you can’t make cookies without dough right?
These sugars provide the perfect fuel for yeast, which naturally resides in the dog's body, to multiply excessively, particularly in warm and moist environments like a dog's ear canal.

Symptoms of Yeast Infections from Dietary Causes
We mentioned a number of the symptoms above, but to put it simply a dog suffering from yeast infections may exhibit symptoms such as itching, redness, and a noticeable smell from the ears. The infections can also cause a brown, waxy discharge.
Often, these symptoms are more prevalent in dogs with floppy ears, where air circulation is reduced. But, don’t be fooled, over the 20 plus years we’ve been in business we’ve seen lots of dogs with high pointed ears also have yeast problems.
Dietary-induced yeast infections can also manifest in other skin areas, showing signs like greasy skin, hair loss, or a foul odor and brown, tawny colored feet or other areas.
 

​Managing and Preventing Yeast Infections with Diet
Addressing the dietary causes of yeast infections involves evaluating and adjusting your dog's food. Diets low in carbohydrates and free from added sugars are best.
Dog foods with grains in them, especially grain ‘meal’ like a rice meal or oatmeal, tend to have higher carbohydrate volumes. This is why Grain Free diets are better for most dogs. Less sugar in, less consequences coming out.
Plus, we believe strongly in fresh foods and raw food diets. These have almost zero simple sugars and carbs that they do have are of the ‘complex’ variety.
There are a number of other digestive benefits to feeding raw or fresh foods and our team is ready to help answer any of your questions on this.
Another great thing to do is to incorporate probiotics into your dog’s diet which can help balance the natural flora in the body, reducing yeast growth. Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears and keeping them dry will further help prevent infections, especially after baths or swimming.
In fact for a lot of our clients we put cotton balls in their ears while getting bathed to help keep the symptoms down. 

Conclusion:
The link between diet and health is evident in conditions like yeast infections, where what a dog eats significantly impacts its susceptibility to yeast overgrowth. By choosing the right foods and being mindful of ingredients, you can help manage and prevent uncomfortable yeast infections in your dog. This proactive approach to diet can lead to better overall health and a happier life for your pet.

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