Why do dogs lick each others ears?

Dogs licking each other’s ears is a small behavior with a lot of meaning for people who live with more than one dog, and it’s worth understanding so owners can support healthy relationships and spot when medical or behavioral help is needed.

Why ear-licking deserves your attention as a dog owner

In a multi-dog household, simple interactions like ear-licking can structure relationships. I typically see it used between bonded partners to reinforce affiliative ties; when one dog regularly grooms another’s ears it may reduce tension and help maintain peaceful coexistence. That matters for everyday harmony: recognizing affiliative licking can reassure owners that dogs are bonding rather than fighting.

Shelters and rescues commonly note ear-licking during intake and early introductions. It can act as a calming behavior when new dogs meet or when a frightened dog is handled by staff. Understanding this helps volunteers and adopters distinguish a normal greeting routine from signs of stress that require different management.

From a health standpoint, ear-licking has a dual role: it’s normal grooming, but it can also reveal or worsen problems. Owners who can tell the difference between short, mutual grooming and persistent, one-sided licking are better positioned to prevent dermatitis, catch infections early, and know when to involve a veterinarian or behaviorist.

Training and management choices are affected by this behavior, too. If ear-licking is part of a calming routine, abrupt interruption can increase stress; if it’s compulsive or causes injury, targeted training and environmental changes are needed. Understanding the likely causes helps owners choose the right response.

What’s actually happening when dogs lick each other’s ears

At a glance, ear-licking between dogs is mostly social grooming—what ethologists call allogrooming—and it serves affiliation and information-sharing. Dogs may sample scent cues from ear secretions, check for dirt, wax, or parasites, and offer a calming or submissive greeting. In many cases it’s brief and reciprocal; in others it’s one dog attending repeatedly to another’s ears because it detects something worth investigating.

Signals and science: the communication and biology of ear-licking

Allogrooming plays a measurable social role: it helps build and maintain bonds and may reduce arousal after conflict or intense play. Licking distributes scents and can transfer individual odor signatures; ears are scent-rich zones where glandular secretions and trapped debris provide concentrated information about health, reproductive status, and recent activities.

On a physiological level, social contact like grooming is likely linked to hormonal changes that favor affiliation. Research on close social interactions in canids and between dogs and humans suggests oxytocin release can increase after positive contact, which may make grooming feel rewarding for both giver and receiver. This does not mean every ear-lick releases oxytocin, but it may be one pathway that maintains affiliative interactions.

Age, sex, and social rank often influence who licks whom. Puppies are frequently recipients of adult grooming; subordinate dogs may lick dominant partners as an appeasement or greeting. I often notice that dogs who share a stable bond groom each other more than dogs whose relationship is uncertain.

Common situations that trigger ear-licking

Timing and context give strong clues about meaning. Ear-licking commonly occurs during greetings—when dogs reunite after a separation—or immediately after vigorous play as part of a calming sequence. It may also occur when one dog discovers wax, debris, or a small skin irritation in another dog’s ear and investigates.

It can appear in stressed or appeasing contexts: new introductions, veterinary visits, or household disruptions often trigger increased grooming as dogs attempt to soothe each other. During those moments the licking is usually short and accompanied by other calming signals (soft body posture, slow movements).

Breed and ear shape can influence frequency. Dogs with floppy, hairy, or heavily folded ears may trap more wax and odor, which makes them more likely to be inspected and licked by companions. Individual preference matters too; some dogs are very tactile and seek hands-on contact, while others tolerate only brief grooming.

Potential risks—and the medical signs that need a vet

Most ear-licking is benign, but certain findings should prompt a closer look. A foul or strong odor coming from the ear, visible redness or swelling of the ear flap, dark discharge, or frequent head-shaking may suggest an ear infection or yeast overgrowth. If licking is concentrated on one ear, that asymmetry can point to a local problem the licking dog has noticed.

Excessive or obsessive licking can cause dermatitis on the recipient dog’s ear edges or on the licker’s tongue and snout. Repeated saliva exposure strips protective oils and may lead to hair loss, scabs, or secondary infection. Visible parasites—tiny moving specks inside the ear, or fleas on the body—are direct medical issues that can be spread or detected through grooming.

Behaviorally, licking that escalates into snapping, stiffening, or avoidance can mark a transition from grooming to tension or resource-control struggles. Compulsive licking, where the behavior continues despite interruptions and causes tissue damage, may indicate a stress-related disorder or skin problem and would benefit from professional evaluation.

How to respond when ear-licking becomes a concern

1. Observe carefully: note the context (greeting, after play, during handling), who initiates, how long it lasts, and whether it’s reciprocal. Record frequency over several days so you have clear patterns.
2. Inspect the ears when appropriate: if licking is focused on one ear or seems to follow head-shaking, gently look for redness, discharge, bad smell, crust, or visible parasites. Photograph findings for your records and to show a vet if needed.
3. Do not attempt home remedies like alcohol, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide without veterinary guidance. These can irritate or delay proper treatment. If cleaning is indicated, use only products recommended by your veterinarian.
4. For immediate redirection, calmly interrupt and offer a high-value treat or a favored toy so the dogs disengage without stress. If the licking appears to be calming after play or greeting, allow short amounts but intervene if it becomes persistent or injurious.
5. If you see signs of infection, parasites, tissue damage, or compulsive behavior—persistent, injurious, or escalating—schedule a veterinary appointment. If the vet suspects the behavior is primarily behavioral rather than medical, a certified veterinary behaviorist or qualified trainer can help modify it safely.

Training strategies and environmental fixes to reduce excessive licking

Teach reliable cues like “leave it,” “enough,” or “settle” using positive reinforcement so you can interrupt unwanted licking without creating fear. Practice these cues during calm moments and reward compliance; this builds a clear alternative behavior rather than relying on surprise or punishment.

Supervision is key during initial introductions and after veterinary procedures when dogs may be more reactive. Interrupt rough play before it becomes escalatory and guide the dogs to a short break if arousal gets high. For dogs prone to obsessive grooming, structured enrichment (puzzle feeders, scent games) often reduces the motivation to lick.

Provide clear resources and safe spaces: separate feeding areas, multiple resting spots, and quiet zones where an overly groomed dog can retreat. For dogs that groom out of anxiety during household changes, slow socialization to new people or routines and gradual desensitization to triggers can reduce reliance on grooming as a coping mechanism.

Helpful tools and safe equipment (and what to avoid)

• Vet-recommended ear cleaners and wipes designed for canine ears (use only when advised by your veterinarian).
• High-value treats and puzzle toys to redirect attention during greeting or calming sequences.
• Gentle harnesses or head collars for safer control during training or veterinary visits—use these under professional guidance to avoid discomfort.
• Avoid cotton swabs inside the ear canal and household remedies like peroxide or undiluted vinegar; these can push debris deeper or irritate delicate tissue.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Otitis Externa in Dogs
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Ear Health and Care for Dogs
• Nagasawa M., et al., “Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human–dog bonding,” Science (2015)
• Overall K. L., Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals (textbook)
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Review articles on canine social behavior and allogrooming