I switched Kona over to Wellness Core in April to begin a grain free diet. He has tolerated it well and seems to be doing well with one exception. His ears. Before only needed to clean his ears about once a month. Ever since the food switch I have to do it every day. His ears get cruddy with the dark brown build up. The only thing I can contrribute this too is the food switch. Has anyone else had this issues with grain free? I want to keep him on a grain free diet but don't know what to do

Nicole

Most ear infections have nothing to do with the food...it is most likely a coincidence.. and a Vet Visit to see what is going on... and a course of treatment. If it is the food just switching brands may help...but I think it best to see your Vet...The ointment is very inexpensive ..

There are other ingredients in grain free kibbles that can cause issues with a dog. Grain free does not always equal no issues. One of my dogs had issues to grain free, as he could not tolerate the alfalfa, brewers yeast or egg products. All of which are normally in a grain free food. He is now on raw as that is the only thing that has helped him. I was giving Buster a vitamin in the start and it had alfalfa in it, which caused ear issues with him. Once cut off of that he never had another ear issue. You may want to look at other ingredients in the food:)

His ears have already been checked and their is no infection. I seem to recall someone making a comment one time about the potato in the Core causing dirty ears in their dog. Can potato create that?

Is your dog having yeast ear infections? If so, google "yeast-starving diets" and you'll find a list of ingredients to avoid.

Typically, one of the worst ingredients to feed a dog with yeast-based ear issues is potatoes. Many grain free foods give their carbohydrate source via potatoes or sweet potatoes. I do not recall what Wellness uses, but it's worth taking a look at the ingredients.

I fed my Beagle a grain-free food once and his ears got even worse than before. I switched to a lower grain food now and while we still have some issues- not nearly as many as we did before. :)

My only other advice is to find the 'purple stuff' ear cleaner- it's Gentian violet ear cleaner. It's hands down the BEST ear cleaner I've ever used. :)

Does Kona swim a lot? Nelson has had horrible ear problems since he turned 8 months. The swimming was really getting to the ears. We have to use a "Chlorhexiderm" flush after every swim, and he still has problems. Since we've moved to Texas, and not much swimming, his ears are still bad. He was just diagnosed w/ a yeast infection in his ears. Apparently, the vet seems to think he has become resistant to his old ear meds and has given him a new prescription. With Nelson... the ear problems never end. If you are in touch with North's doggie parents, I'd ask them if he has the same issues, sometimes the breeders have "special" solutions they use for different issues. Good Luck... just wanted to let you know you're not alone.:rolleyes: Tara

Ya know his swimming activity has incresed over the last few months with the hunt training. In addition to pool swimming he is in a pond or the river weekly. That just might be it as we never had any problems before the increase in activity. Well looks like a trip to the vet $$$ lol

I was told to flush his ears after every swim. First I was given Oti-Rinse, then told to use ChlorhexiDerm Flush by DVM. This stuff cleanses and dries out the ears. Good Luck. PS I feel that swimming is a necessity with these dogs! Just have to work through the issues. :rolleyes: My dogs miss it so much.

We've had no issues with grain-free. Mya's on Taste of the Wild. She has nice, clean ears. Only had one ear infection but that was before she was on this food. I also have the blue stuff to flush them if I see something coming on, but so far I haven't.

What is the blue stuff? Is it the same as gentian violet? Does it require a prescription? Thanks...going to the vet tomorrow due to yucky brown discharge in both ears. Will ask vet about this too.

What is the blue stuff? Is it the same as gentian violet? Does it require a prescription? Thanks...going to the vet tomorrow due to yucky brown discharge in both ears. Will ask vet about this too.


The stuff I have is called Chlorhexiderm Ear Flush. It's an ear cleansing solution for dogs, cats, and horses. I do believe it's a prescription. From what I understand, it's not meant to treat an already full blown ear infection. I had drops for that. But this blue stuff is supposed to be used as soon as you smell/see an ear infection coming on. If you see a little bit of gunk, you clean the ear out with this stuff. And it's supposed to help prevent an infection from coming on. Therefore, you won't need the ear drops. The vet gave me a bottle of this blue stuff to keep on hand at home in case I see something.

I was feeding a grain free, allergy food when we first got him and his ears were like you mentioned but when I made the switch to another holistic brand that is made by the pet food store, they are perfect, no more brown stuff, they look great. Not sure if that was the reason but made me wonder.