Why does my dog lick my other dogs ears?

Many dog owners spot one dog licking another’s ears and wonder whether it’s sweet, strange or a symptom of a problem. The behavior is common enough to notice, and how you respond can protect relationships between dogs and safeguard ear health. Below I explain what that licking most likely means, when it may indicate a medical issue, and practical steps you can take as an owner.

What your dog’s ear-licking reveals — and why it matters to owners

When a dog licks another dog’s ears you’re watching an interaction that sits at the intersection of social behavior and health. For owners, the scene often feels affectionate: one dog nudges its companion, snuggles and then works around the ear. That’s why many people first interpret the act as bonding.

At the same time, ears are a hygiene hotspot. Owners worry about dirt, wax buildup and infection, and ear-licking can either help by removing debris or make things worse by spreading bacteria or irritating inflamed skin. I typically see owners torn between letting dogs self-regulate and stepping in to avoid worsening an ear condition.

The same action can raise questions about dominance or social rank. Licking sometimes occurs in the context of one dog asserting control, but it may also be a calming or appeasing gesture. Finally, social media and training communities amplify curiosity: videos of dramatic ear-licking go viral, which encourages owners to seek a clear explanation for what they’re seeing.

Most likely reasons a dog licks another dog’s ears

If you want a quick, practical summary, these are the most common reasons one dog licks another’s ears. Each item below is a likely factor rather than a definitive cause for every case.

• Affection and allogrooming: Dogs often lick ears to groom each other, which strengthens social bonds.
• Scent investigation and taste: Ears hold unique smells and residues from food, skin oils and pheromones that attract investigation by licking.
• Comfort or stress relief: Licking can soothe the licker or the recipient; it sometimes appears during or after arousal, play or tension.
• Reaction to ear debris or irritation: If an ear has wax, discharge or itching, another dog may lick more frequently because of the salty or unusual texture.

Inside the behavior: biological and social explanations

Mammals groom from birth, and in dogs the behavior begins with maternal grooming. Puppies are licked around the ears, face and body by their mother, which helps keep them clean and stimulates bodily functions. That early experience may teach puppies that mouths are appropriate cleaning tools, so ear-licking can be retained as a social behavior into adulthood.

Allogrooming—grooming between individuals—serves social functions beyond hygiene. It often reduces tension in a group and reinforces affiliative bonds. I commonly see pairs who live together groom each other more after brief spats or during quiet, relaxed moments, suggesting the action helps restore calm.

Ears are an information-rich area. The skin around the ear produces oils and has a distinct scent profile that carries personal and reproductive signals. Dogs rely heavily on smell, so licking an ear may function partly as a way of sampling those chemical cues, in a similar way to sniffing another dog’s rear end.

There are also microbial and chemical cues that make ears interesting to dogs. Ear wax has salts and lipids; small amounts of discharge provide both a taste and an odor. While microbes in and on the skin may not be consciously sensed like scent molecules, they can alter odor and texture in ways that make licking more likely. This doesn’t mean licking always indicates infection, but unusual smells or textures often increase licking frequency.

When it happens: common triggers and typical timing

Certain moments and settings reliably increase ear-licking. After meals, traces of food on a face or around the ear may attract a partner’s attention; I frequently see one dog cleaning crumbs from another. During rest or grooming periods—sitting together on the couch, for example—dogs have time to focus on detailed grooming behaviors.

Excitement and anxiety both change behavior. During play, exploratory licking can be part of the sequence of interactions; during anxiety, licking may act as a stress-relief behavior. If your dog licks another’s ears more during thunderstorms, vet visits or when meeting new dogs, stress is probably involved.

Physical triggers like ear wax, redness or visible discharge are straightforward precipitants. A dog will often return repeatedly to an ear that has an unusual smell or tangible debris. Age and breed tendencies matter too: very small or pendulous-eared breeds develop more wax and trapped moisture, which may attract more licking. Hormonal status—intact vs. neutered—can subtly influence social grooming patterns, although that link is less direct.

Red flags — signs ear-licking may point to a medical issue

Occasional ear-licking is usually harmless, but some patterns suggest you should investigate medically. Excessive, persistent or obsessive licking that continues despite distraction may indicate ongoing irritation or discomfort in the recipient dog’s ear.

Look for redness, swelling, thickened skin, visible discharge that is yellow, green or brown, and any foul odor. These signs are often associated with infection and merit a prompt check. Repeated head shaking, head tilt, or signs of pain when the ear is touched are particularly concerning and may suggest otitis, foreign bodies, or ear mites.

Secondary consequences can include skin damage from repeated licking, which may lead to hot spots or opportunistic infections. If the licker has open sores on its tongue or lips from aggressive licking, that also requires attention. When in doubt, treat unusual or prolonged changes as reasons to consult a clinician.

What to do right away: practical steps for owners

Start by observing carefully. Note when the licking happens, how long it lasts, which dog initiates it and any preceding events (meals, play, vet handling). I often ask owners to keep a short log for 48–72 hours; patterns usually become clear quickly.

Visually inspect both dogs’ ears in a calm setting. Move slowly, speak softly, and look for discharge, odor, redness, swelling or areas the dog withdraws from when touched. Don’t probe deeply or use cotton swabs inside the ear canal—those can push debris further in. Exterior inspection is usually sufficient to detect signs that require veterinary attention.

If the behavior seems occasional and no physical signs are present, gently redirect dogs when licking becomes prolonged: a toy, a treat or a short play break can break the cycle. If licking is excessive, separate the dogs briefly to allow the recipient’s skin to recover and to interrupt any obsessive pattern. If you find any signs of infection, persistent changes in behavior, or pain responses, schedule a veterinary exam. Early treatment reduces complications.

Training methods and management strategies to reduce excessive licking

Behavior change is most effective when you teach an alternative and reward it consistently. Train a reliable “leave it” cue and a calm-settle behavior; when one dog goes to lick and you ask for settle, reward the calm behavior. I typically suggest starting training in a low-distraction area and gradually adding the other dog into the scenario.

Redirecting with enrichment helps too. Offer interactive toys, food puzzles or chew items at times when licking usually occurs, such as after meals or during quiet evenings. Supervise interactions initially and use brief, calm time-outs if a dog becomes persistent—time-outs are most effective when they are short, predictable and not punitive.

Establishing a grooming and ear-cleaning routine reduces motivating debris. Clean ears only with a vet-approved cleanser and follow frequency recommendations for your dog’s breed and ear type. Consistency removes odors and wax that may be driving the licking.

Products that help: cleaners, deterrents and calming aids

• Vet-recommended ear cleansers and gentle wipes (for example, a non-irritating cleanser such as Epi-Otic or a veterinary substitute) to remove excess wax and reduce odors.
• Short-term Elizabethan collars or soft recovery collars to prevent a dog from persisting with obsessive licking while a problem is treated.
• Calming aids and enrichment: food-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or pheromone diffusers can lower overall arousal and reduce attention to ears.
• Harnesses or temporary barriers to manage supervised separation during training or healing periods.

References and recommended further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Otitis Externa in Dogs — overview of causes, diagnosis and treatment of outer ear infections.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Ear Care and Otitis in Dogs — practical owner guidance on ear inspection and when to seek care.
• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Canine Otitis Externa Guidelines — clinical recommendations for diagnosis and management.
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: “Allogrooming and affiliative behavior in domestic dogs” — research on social grooming roles in canine groups.
• Applied Animal Behaviour Science: “Grooming, stress and social bonds in canids” — studies linking grooming behaviors to social cohesion and stress modulation.