Is it normal for dogs to have brown discharge in their ears?

It is normal for your dog to have a little bit of visible brown earwax that does not smell, itch or bother it. However, if there is a lot of wax present it can cause a problem. Make it a habit to look at and smell your dog’s ears a couple times a week. That way you can easily notice any change in odour which can be an indication of an infection. If a dog has red, itchy ears, a lot of discharge present, shakes its head or scratches its ears it is likely it has an ear infection. If this it the case for your dog you can try to cleanse your dog’s ear with dog ear cleansing solution (found at your vets only) a couple of days to see if the condition improves. If it does not, it is best to book an appointment with a vet.