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My pet has a crusty, flaky, dirty ear. What's causing this problem?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 11 lbs

Crusty, flaky ears. Around the edge both inside and outside of one ear. The inside is slightly dirty

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on January 5th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to allergies affecting just the skin of the ear or even also causing an ear infection. This warrants a visit to your veterinarian. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided.

There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies.

Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market).

If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.

Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 10th, 2020

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kane. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He could have an ear infection that is affecting the ear flap or pinna margins. Ear mites are not common in dogs, but demodex is commonly seen in his breed. A food allergy is possible. This is typically accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea as well as other skin lesions. Rarely a dog will develop autoimmune skin disease that affects the ears as well as eyelid margins, nose or paws. The veterinarian will carefully examine him and determine how best to treat him. I hope this information helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 23rd, 2017

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Most often ear infections in dogs are either from yeast infections (if there is brown smelly stuff inside) and the issue on the tips of the ears is from scratching the ears, or from fleas that like to collect behind the ears. I would recommend doing the following. 1. Get a cone so that Athena can't scratch at her ears and cause more damage. 2. Call your vet to find out what flea product is safe and works well in your area, and get that product. There are good products you can get at a pet store but there are also lots of bad products that don't work or are unsafe. 3. Clean out the ears with an ear cleaning solution. Once again getting a recommendation from your vet is best, I like the product "Epi-Otic". Clean the ears once a day for a couple weeks. 4. Gently clean the crusts on the tips of the ears. If you see any yellow/green/cream debris, then they are infected and require antibiotics, however it if you don't see this, just try the above and if it doesn't heal in about 1 week, or gets any worse, then you'll need to bright Athena to your vet. Best of luck with her!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
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Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 

There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. 

 Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). 

If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.

 Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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