[Fire Dan]

My friend noticed black stuff in his dog’s ear. He cleaned it out with a Kleenex, and the dog didn’t appear to be bothered by it. What could it be?

[Sally Jones]

Black gunk in a dog’s ear is typically either an earwax buildup or a sign of ear mites. Excessive wax usually isn’t a problem as long as your friend keeps cleaning his dog’s ears. Otherwise, a constantly dirty or clogged ear could lead to an ear infection. But the signs of ear mites could mean it’s time to see a vet. If your friend’s dog’s ears have a dark buildup that resembles coffee grounds along with discomfort (head shaking or scratching the ear) and perhaps a crusted rash around the ear, it’s likely ear mites. I’d advise your friend to talk to his vet if the problem comes back.

[JessicaP]

My dog suffered from chronic ear infections a few years back. He would often get a black discharge or dried waxy stuff in his ears. It was pretty gross, and we had to get some antibiotics to clear it out. It took a long time, too. I’d suggest a trip to the vet, even if the dog seems okay now. You don’t want that stuff lingering in the ears. Trust me, it starts to smell bad and becomes really tricky to get out.

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