At Sploot, our vets often get asked about how to care for a dog’s ears. We always emphasize the importance of regular ear cleaning.
On occasion, we also get questions about earwax buildup, bad odors, or black debris coming from a dog’s ears. In these cases, our canine companions may need extra care.
In this guide, we answer commonly asked questions about ear care for dogs and recommend a few of the best dog ear cleaners that pet parents can use.
The Benefits of Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Regularly
Ear infections are one of the most common cases we see in our vet clinics. A few factors that make dogs susceptible to ear infections include warm weather, swimming, food allergies, seasonal allergies (i.e. spring allergies and fall allergies in dogs), and a lack of routine ear cleaning.
Regular ear cleaning is the best at-home preventative measure to reduce the risk of dog ear infections and prevent smelly ears. However, it’s important to maintain an optimal schedule for ear cleaning, since overcleaning can irritate the dog’s ears and remove their natural barrier against infections.
How Often Should You Clean Dog’s Ears? [& When is the Best Time?]
The best frequency for routine dog ear cleaning depends on your dog’s ear structure.
- Monthly ear cleaning — best for dogs with erect ears, such as Corgis, Siberian Huskies, and Pomeranians.
- Fortnightly (every other week) ear cleaning — best for dogs with floppy ears, such as Dachshunds, Beagles, and Golden Retrievers.
Clean your dog’s ears right after their bath; this cleanses your dog’s ears after they get wet and helps prevent infection. As discussed in our article, Routine Dog Care for Health & Well-Being, dogs need a bath every month (for short-haired dogs) or every 1-3 months (for longer-haired dogs). However, if your dog doesn’t need a bath anytime soon, it’s also fine to clean their ears without bathing.
Note: Regardless of your dog’s ear cleaning schedule, our vets recommend cleaning their ears if they get wet, such as after bathing, swimming, or playing in the mud. Ear cleaning after such activities helps prevent the growth of disease-causing bacteria in your dog’s ears.
What Can I Use to Clean My Dog’s Ears?
For routine ear cleanings, always use vet-approved dog ear cleaners. These products are formulated to cleanse your dog’s ears without causing irritation or discomfort. Make sure to use clean cotton pads and allow your dog to shake their ears after using a dog ear cleaner. Ear cleaning solutions are meant to go inside the ear canal and then come out; a dog’s instinctive ear shaking helps force the product back out.
Important Note: AVOID using Q-tips. These can push earwax further into your dog’s ears and possibly rupture their eardrum.
How to Get Rid of Smelly Dogs’ Ears
Healthy dog ears are not smelly. Even with a healthy layer of earwax, the natural scent of a dog’s ear should be slightly musty or sweet. If your dog’s ears smell too sweet, it could be a sign of yeast overgrowth. Meanwhile, bacterial ear infections and ear mite infections in dogs tend to smell foul.
The best way to get rid of smelly dog ears is to consult a vet about a possible ear infection. Even if certain ear washes for dogs have antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-earmite properties, at-home ear cleaning may NOT be enough to cure an active infection.
Important Note: Avoid medicated dog ear washes without veterinary guidance. The improper use of medicated dog ear cleaners can worsen an active infection and possibly strengthen the disease-causing pathogen (similar to the effect of antibiotic misuse).
7 Best Dog Ear Cleaners [Non-Medicated & Medicated]
Non-medicated dog ear cleaners typically do not have any antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-ear mite ingredients. This makes them more gentle and suitable for routine care. However, in some cases, veterinarians can also recommend medicated dog ear cleaners, especially if the dog is recovering from an infection or is prone to recurring ear infections.
Note: Always opt for non-medicated dog ear cleaners for routine cleaning unless your vet recommends a medicated one.
1. Epi-Otic® Advanced Ear Cleanser
- Non-medicated dog ear cleaner; available on SplootRX
Many vets recommend Epi-Otic® Advanced Ear Cleanser for routine ear cleaning. This dog ear cleaner has a non-stinging formulation with a neutral pH. It also has ingredients that help reduce inflammation and ear canal odors.
2. pH Notix Enhanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs
- Non-medicated dog ear cleaner; available on SplootRX
The pH Notix Enhanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs has a light, oil-free formula that’s safe for both dogs and cats, making it a great choice for multi-pet environments. Its formula contains two ‘ceruminolytic’ agents that help to effectively break down and wash away built-up earwax. In addition, proprietary ‘lipacides’ help regulate sebum in the dog’s ear while also supporting the ear’s natural protective barrier.
3. Earthbath Ear Wipes for Dogs & Cats
- Non-medicated dog ear cleaner; available on SplootRX
Earthbath Ear Wipes for Dogs & Cats is a convenient choice for a quick ear clean. However, unlike dog ear cleaners in bottles, these ear wipes do not reach deep into the ear canal, meaning that it’s only advisable for cleaning the outer ear.
Earthbath Ear Wipes for Dogs & Cats is formulated with witch hazel, a mild cleanser and astringent. It also contains plant extracts that help deodorize your dog’s ears.
4. Swimmer’s Ear Astringent for Dogs
- Non-medicated dog ear cleaner; best for use after swimming; available on SplootRX
Swimmer’s Ear Astringent for Dogs is one of the best dog ear cleaners you can use for after-swimming care. Its unique formula contains a gel-based alcohol that liquifies at body temperature. As this safe-to-use, gel-based alcohol evaporates, helping maintain a moisture-free environment in your dog’s ears.
Before using this product, towel dry your pup and allow them to shake as much as they want; shaking helps them dry their bodies (including their ears). Next, dry your dog’s ears by wiping the outer ear with clean cotton balls. You can also gently press clean cotton balls on the ear’s hole to help remove water inside. After this step, you can use Swimmer’s Ear Astringent for Dogs to cleanse the ear canal.
Important Note: AVOID using rubbing alcohol or products with alcohol as a post-swimming ear cleaner. Swimmer’s Ear Astringent for Dogs contains alcohol that is specially formulated to be safe for its recommended use. In addition, this product is NOT intended to take the place of regular, non-medicated dog ear cleaners.
5. Oxyfresh Ear Cleaner for Dogs [Medicated]
- Medicated dog ear cleaner; antibacterial; use only under vet guidance; available on SplootRX
Oxyfresh Ear Cleaner is a medicated dog ear cleaner that helps neutralize disease-causing bacteria and remove ear mite debris. Its formulation also flushes out excess earwax, soothes the ear canal, and prevents stinging and burning sensations.
6. TrizUltra+Keto® Flush [Medicated]
- Medicated dog ear cleaner; use only under vet guidance; available on SplootRX
TrizUltra+Keto® Flush is an antimicrobial dog ear cleaner, with active ingredients that help fight harmful bacteria and fungi. These include:
- TrizEDTA, an antibacterial and antifungal agent that is safe for ruptured eardrums; and
- Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent used for treating Malassezia infections (aka dog ear yeast infection).
7. Mal-A-Ket® Plus TrizEDTA® Flush [Medicated]
- Medicated dog ear cleaner; antibacterial and antifungal; STRICTLY use only under vet guidance; available on SplootRX
Mal-A-Ket® Plus TrizEDTA® Flush helps in fighting ear infections that are caused by certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Its numerous active ingredients give it a broad spectrum of treatment — these include:
- Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent commonly used for treating Malassezia overgrowth;
- Chlorhexidine, an antiseptic used for treating otitis externa in dogs; and
- TrizEDTA, an antibacterial and antifungal agent that is safe for ruptured eardrums
Note: Chlorhexidine, one of the ingredients found in this dog ear cleaner, should NEVER be used if your dog has a perforated eardrum due to an infection. Always consult a vet before using this dog ear cleaner.
Final Thoughts on Dog Ear Cleaning
For more vet-preferred products, check out SplootRX, your reliable pet online store and pharmacy! To summarize this article, we’ve prepared a list of reminders regarding dog ear cleaning and overall care:
- Always consult a vet regarding symptoms like excessive ear scratching, redness, inflammation, debris, and strange odors — these are signs of an ear infection in dogs, which cannot be treated with dog ear cleaners alone.
- Always use clean cotton pads or balls when cleaning your dog’s ears.
- Always allow your dog to shake their head after administering a dog ear cleaner solution. These products are meant to go back out and a dog’s instinct to shake their heads is beneficial.
- Always reward your pup after ear cleaning to help create a positive association with this activity.
- Always clean your dog’s ears after doing water-related activities like swimming and bathing.
- Never use Q-tips to clean your dog’s ears.
- Never use medicated dog ear cleaners without asking a vet first.
- Never use homemade or makeshift ear cleaners on your pup — these will likely do more harm than good.
→ Learn more about routine care for dogs, make sure to check out our article: Routine Dog Care for Health & Well-Being [Vet-Approved Guide]
Sploot Vets: Your Go-To Vet for All-Around, Year-Round Pup Care
If you have further questions about choosing the best dog ear cleaner, how to care for your dog’s ears, or how to treat a canine ear infection, our vets are always here to help!
Sploot Vets offers comprehensive, Fear Free veterinary care for your pup. We provide primary (preventative), urgent, and emergency vet services in our serene modern clinics all over Denver and Chicago. Our doors are open daily (365 days a year, with extended clinic hours)! We aim to be here when pet parents need us most.
Book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app. We accept scheduled, same-day, and drop-off appointments Till next time, we’re with you every pounce of the way!
