Dogs chew on other dogs’ ears mostly because it’s a normal part of play and social bonding. Ears are soft, accessible, and easy to grab during wrestling or roughhousing, making them a natural target. In most cases, this behavior is harmless and even affectionate, but there are situations where it signals something worth paying attention to.
Play and Roughhousing
Ear chewing is one of the most common moves in a dog’s play repertoire, right alongside body slamming, chase games, and playful nipping. During a wrestling session, one dog will often latch onto the other’s ear flap because it’s a convenient, floppy piece of skin that’s easy to mouth without causing harm. Dogs use soft, inhibited bites during play, and ears are a low-risk target that lets them practice those skills.
You can usually tell this is play by watching both dogs’ body language. If the dog whose ear is being chewed keeps coming back for more, has a loose and wiggly posture, and takes turns being the “chewer” and the “chewed,” everything is fine. The moment one dog starts yelping, pulling away, or stiffening up, the interaction has shifted from fun to uncomfortable.
Grooming and Affection
Not all ear chewing is rough play. Gentle licking and nibbling around the ears often functions as grooming, similar to how primates pick through each other’s fur. Dogs can’t reach their own ears, so a companion who cleans that area is doing them a genuine favor. This type of mutual grooming tends to happen between dogs who already have a close relationship: housemates, siblings, or dogs that see each other regularly.
This behavior reinforces social bonds and communicates trust. Think of it as the canine equivalent of a hug. A dog that gently mouths another dog’s ears is essentially saying, “You’re part of my group, and I’m comfortable with you.” You’ll notice the chewing is slow, soft, and often mixed with licking rather than the energetic grabbing you see during play.
Puppies and Teething
If the ear-chewer in question is a puppy, teething is likely a major factor. Puppies start getting their baby teeth as early as two weeks old, and between three and four months those baby teeth begin falling out to make way for 42 adult teeth. The whole process wraps up around six months. During that window, their gums are sore and swollen, and chewing on anything soft brings relief. Another dog’s ear happens to be the perfect texture: warm, pliable, and conveniently at mouth height for a small puppy.
The problem is that a teething puppy doesn’t always have great bite control yet. Older dogs will often correct a puppy that bites too hard with a yelp or a quick snap, which is actually a healthy part of how puppies learn bite inhibition. If you want to give the older dog a break, redirect the puppy to rubber teething toys (some can be frozen for extra gum relief), edible teething rings, or food-stuffed puzzle toys like Kongs. Having a variety of textures available keeps a teething puppy interested and less likely to use a housemate’s ears as a chew toy.
When an Ear Infection Is the Attraction
Sometimes a dog becomes fixated on another dog’s ears for a less innocent reason: the ears smell different. Dogs with ear infections, whether caused by bacteria, yeast, or allergies, produce discharge that has a strong odor. To a dog’s nose, that smell is intensely interesting, and they may lick or chew at the infected ears compulsively.
If one dog in your household is suddenly getting a lot of ear attention from the other, take a look at the “target” dog’s ears. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, dark or yellowish discharge, and a yeasty or foul smell. Veterinary professionals at Texas A&M specifically advise against letting other dogs lick an infected dog’s ears, since it can introduce more bacteria and make the problem worse. If you suspect an infection, it’s worth getting those ears checked out.
Risks of Excessive Ear Chewing
Most ear chewing is harmless, but when it’s too rough or too frequent, it can cause real damage. The ear flap is full of small blood vessels running just beneath the skin. Repeated trauma from biting, or the vigorous head shaking a dog does afterward, can rupture those vessels and cause a condition called an aural hematoma. This is a pocket of blood that forms between the ear cartilage and skin, making the ear flap look thick, swollen, and spongy. It’s painful and typically requires veterinary treatment.
Hematomas are more likely in dogs that already have irritated ears from allergies, infections, or foreign material like a grass seed or tick lodged in the ear canal. The chewing from another dog adds insult to an already inflamed area. Dogs with clotting disorders are also at higher risk, even from relatively mild ear trauma.
How to Redirect the Behavior
If the ear chewing is gentle and both dogs seem relaxed, there’s no reason to intervene. But if one dog is pestering the other, or if you’re worried about injury, redirection works better than punishment. The goal is to give the chewer something better to do, not to make them afraid of interacting with their companion.
Start by keeping a variety of chew toys available, especially ones with different textures and shapes. When you see the behavior start, calmly offer an appropriate chew toy instead. The moment your dog takes it, reward them with praise. Food puzzle toys are especially useful because they keep a dog mentally engaged for longer stretches, satisfying both the urge to chew and the need for stimulation. Rotating toys in and out every few days, and occasionally adding something new, keeps novelty high so your dog doesn’t lose interest and go back to their favorite ear.
Boredom and excess energy are common drivers of persistent ear chewing. A dog that gets enough physical exercise and mental interaction during the day is far less likely to fixate on another dog’s ears. If the behavior spikes when your dogs have been cooped up inside or understimulated, that’s a strong signal they need more activity, not more correction.