Why are my dogs ears hot?

Noticing that your dog’s ears feel hot may seem small, but it can be a useful clue about their immediate comfort and overall health. As a dog lover you touch, groom, and play with your dog frequently; ears are easy to check during those moments. Slight warmth after a run, a bath, or a sun nap is common, but persistent or very hot ears can be an early sign of problems. Paying attention to ear temperature can improve everyday care, help you catch illness sooner, and strengthen the way you read your dog’s body language.

Why This Matters to Dog Lovers

Most owners notice hot ears while petting after a walk, cleaning up after a roll in the grass, or during vet visits. I typically see owners report hot ears after exercise, when a dog has been lying in the sun, or when a groomer has just dried a coat. Those scenarios are useful moments to check the rest of the dog: are they thirsty, breathing faster, or quiet and withdrawn? Making a habit of briefly checking ears during routine care gives an early window into problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Monitoring ear temperature is also a low-effort way to spot changes in comfort and mood. Ears that warm alongside restlessness or a change in appetite may suggest an infection or fever, while warm ears during an exciting visit to the park are usually harmless. Interpreting ear temperature as part of a bigger picture—activity level, appetite, breathing, and behavior—lets you decide whether to monitor at home or contact your veterinarian.

Finally, recognizing when hot ears are expected (exercise, sun) versus unexpected (overnight warming without activity) helps plan care. You can change when and how you exercise, choose shaded routes, or ask your groomer to use cooler drying settings. Being aware of ear warmth supports safer, smarter decisions that protect comfort and health.

Quick Answer: Hot Ears Explained

Most of the time a dog’s ears feel warm for simple, non-threatening reasons. After running or playing, increased blood flow to the skin may make the ears feel noticeably warmer. Lying in the sun or recent bathing and drying can also make them warm to the touch. Stress or excitement commonly produces a transient warming because of altered circulation and a faster heart rate.

Less commonly, very warm or persistently hot ears may be linked to fever from infection, systemic illness, or a localized ear infection (otitis). If the warmth comes with pain, discharge, a bad smell, or repeated head shaking, it is more likely to suggest a medical issue that needs attention.

Ear Function and Communication

Dog ears are richly supplied with blood vessels near the skin, which helps regulate temperature. Blood flow to the ear increases when the body needs to disperse heat, and decreases when conserving heat. This vascular capacity means ears often mirror small shifts in circulation that other body parts may mask under fur.

Ears play a role in overall thermoregulation especially in breeds with large, thin-padded ears; those tissues allow heat exchange with the environment. Breeds such as the Greyhound or some hound types may show more noticeable ear temperature changes than thick-coated, small-eared breeds like the Pomeranian. The same anatomy means ears may cool or warm more quickly than the core body temperature.

Beyond physiology, ears are part of canine communication. Pricked, warm ears during alert behavior may accompany excitement, while flattened or hot ears paired with trembling could indicate stress or fear. I often consider ear temperature alongside posture, eye expression, and tail movement to interpret how a dog is feeling rather than relying on temperature alone.

When Ears Get Hot

Several predictable triggers make a dog’s ears feel hot. Physical activity increases heart rate and circulation; after a vigorous run the entire head including the ears can be warmer. Direct sun exposure heats external tissues quickly, so a dog sunbathing on a warm day often has hotter ears than a dog in the shade. Recent bathing, blow-drying, or a warm grooming table can also transfer heat to the ears.

Emotional triggers include stress and excitement. A dog greeting a friend after a long absence or anticipating a walk can show flushed, warm ears alongside panting and a restless stance. Environmental factors—high ambient temperature, lack of airflow, being left in a car or poorly ventilated area—raise overall body temperature and will often make the ears feel hot to the touch.

Danger Signs to Watch For

Not all hot ears indicate danger, but certain combinations of signs should prompt prompt veterinary contact. If ears are persistently hot and your dog is lethargic, refusing food, or has a raised rectal temperature when measured, that may suggest fever. Pain signs such as head shaking, excessive scratching at the ears, vocalizing when the ear is touched, visible swelling, bleeding, or a foul-smelling discharge are more likely to indicate ear infection or injury. Rapid worsening with vomiting, collapse, or difficulty breathing requires immediate emergency care.

What To Do Right Away

1. Observe the whole dog: Check breathing rate, gum color, responsiveness, appetite, and behavior. A quick look at posture and energy helps gauge how urgent the situation is.
2. Inspect the ears carefully: Gently lift the ear flap and look for redness, swelling, pus-like or bloody discharge, or an obvious foreign object. Note any odor—an unpleasant smell often accompanies infection.
3. Measure temperature if you can: A rectal thermometer gives the best indication of fever. If you don’t have one, avoid guessing from ear warmth alone; dogs can feel hot to the touch for non-fever reasons.
4. Cool safely if the dog is overheated: Move to shade or air-conditioning, offer small amounts of cool water, wet paws with cool (not icy) water, and use a fan. Avoid rapid cooling with ice as that can cause shock.
5. Contact your veterinarian when red flags are present: If you find discharge, swelling, severe pain signs, persistent fever, or systemic illness, arrange for a vet exam rather than waiting.

Modify Environment and Behavior

Prevention focuses on removing predictable triggers. Provide reliable shade, good airflow, and cool water during hot weather; avoid leaving a dog in a parked car even for a few minutes. Schedule higher-intensity exercise for early morning or evening when temperatures are lower, and favor shaded walking routes.

Adjust grooming routines to limit heat transfer. Ask groomers to use lukewarm air on dryers and avoid prolonged direct heat on ears. After bathing, dry ears gently but thoroughly; trapped moisture can create an environment prone to infection.

Reduce stress-driven warming by using calming strategies. Predictable routines, positive reinforcement, desensitization to triggers (like car trips or nail trims), and appropriate mental enrichment can lower baseline arousal and reduce episodes of stress-related warmth. For anxious dogs, consult a behaviorist or your veterinarian about tailored approaches rather than relying on quick fixes.

Helpful Gear and Supplies

• Digital rectal thermometer designed for dogs — the most reliable way to check for fever; follow manufacturer cleaning instructions.
• Cooling mat or shaded shelter — passive cooling options for hot days that reduce reliance on owner intervention.
• Portable fan and water bottle — for immediate cooling during walks or travel.
• Vet-approved ear-cleaning solution and cotton balls — use only products recommended by your veterinarian and avoid using cotton-tipped swabs deep in the canal.
• Leashes, head halters, or a muzzle when needed — for safe handling if a dog’s ears are painful and they react defensively during inspection or treatment.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Otitis Externa in Dogs” — https://www.merckvetmanual.com/ear-nose-and-throat/otitis/otitis-externa-in-dogs
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats” — https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/heatstroke-dogs-and-cats
• Ettinger S.J., Feldman E.C., editors. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine: “Thermoregulation and Fever” sections — Elsevier.
• Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook: practical guidance on safe medications for ear infections and supportive care.
• Journal of Small Animal Practice, review articles on otitis externa pathophysiology and management for clinicians — search for recent reviews for in-depth reading.