By Cleaning helps prevent, not treat
For dogs that get repeated ear infections, regular cleaning removes the wax and debris that yeast and bacteria grow in, and dries the canal after swimming. But a cleaner is not a treatment. If your dog’s ear is already red, smelly, painful or producing discharge, it needs a vet’s examination and prescription medication first.
How we chose
We have not tested these cleaners hands-on. We shortlisted products that are made for dogs, widely recommended by vets for routine use, easy to buy, and clearly labelled. The best cleaner for your dog depends on its ears, so ask your vet which they prefer, especially if your dog has had infections or a damaged eardrum.
What the ingredients do
- Ceruminolytics (such as docusate or squalane-based formulas) soften and break up wax.
- Drying agents (such as salicylic or boric acid in some formulas) help dry the canal after swimming or bathing.
- Antiseptics (such as chlorhexidine in some formulas) reduce yeast and bacteria; some are not suitable if the eardrum is damaged.
- Enzymes in some cleaners help break down debris gently.
Avoid strong alcohol-based products for inflamed ears: they sting.
How to clean your dog’s ears
- Get set up. A towel, the cleaner, cotton balls or gauze, and a treat. Smaller dogs are easier on your lap; larger dogs, sitting beside you.
- Look first. If the ear is red, swollen, painful, bloody or smelly, stop and call your vet.
- Fill the canal. Lift the ear flap and squeeze enough cleaner to fill the canal. Do not push the bottle tip deep into the ear.
- Massage. Gently massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound.
- Let your dog shake. Step back or cover with a towel.
- Wipe. Use cotton balls or gauze to wipe the wax from the parts of the ear you can see. Never push cotton buds down the canal: they pack wax deeper and can damage the eardrum.
- Reward. Treats and praise make the next clean easier.
When to see a vet instead
- Redness, swelling, discharge or a bad smell
- Head shaking or scratching that lasts more than a day
- Pain when the ear is touched
- A head tilt or loss of balance (this is urgent)
Our picks in more detail
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced: best all-round
Epi-Otic Advanced is one of the routine ear cleaners vets most often hand to owners, and it is labelled for both dogs and cats. It is designed to be gentle enough for regular cleaning, which makes it a sensible first choice for dogs that need maintenance cleaning between vet visits.
Worth knowing: like any cleaner, it should not go into an ear your vet has not checked if there are signs of infection or a possible damaged eardrum.
Zymox Ear Cleanser: best gentle enzyme cleaner
Zymox’s routine ear cleanser uses enzymes to help break down wax and debris and is popular with owners of dogs with waxy ears. The brand also sells medicated ear products, some of which contain hydrocortisone: those are different products, and it is worth checking you have the cleanser rather than a treatment.
Worth knowing: enzyme cleaners can feel less “drying” than acidic cleaners; for regular swimmers, ask your vet whether a drying cleaner suits better.
Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash: best budget pick
An inexpensive cleaner found in most pet stores and online, intended for routine cleaning of healthy ears. Fine for dogs that need an occasional clean and have no history of infections.
Worth knowing: for dogs with repeated infections, a cleaner your vet chooses for your dog’s specific problem is usually a better investment.
Ear wipes and cotton: the supporting cast
Wipes are handy for the ear flap and the visible folds at the entrance to the canal, between proper cleans or after walks. Large cotton balls or gauze squares are what you use to wipe away loosened wax after a clean. Neither replaces filling the canal with cleaner.
Which cleaner for which ear?
| Your dog | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Healthy ears, occasional clean | A gentle routine cleaner made for dogs |
| Swims or is bathed often | A cleaner with a drying agent, used after water |
| Waxy ears (spaniels, retrievers, doodles) | A cleaner with a wax-softening ingredient; ask your vet |
| Repeated infections or allergies | The cleaner your vet prescribes, on the schedule they set |
| Red, sore, smelly or discharging ears | No cleaner yet: see a vet first |
Common mistakes
- Cleaning too often. Daily cleaning of healthy ears can irritate them. Follow your vet’s schedule.
- Using cotton buds in the canal. They push wax deeper and can damage the eardrum.
- Cleaning an infected ear without a vet check. If the eardrum is damaged, some products can harm the middle ear.
- Not using enough cleaner. The canal should be filled so the cleaner reaches the bend in the canal, not just the opening.
- Medicating straight after cleaning. If your dog also has prescribed drops, wait 10 to 15 minutes after cleaning so the cleaner does not wash the medicine out.
Making ear cleaning easier for nervous dogs
- Practise touching and lifting the ear flaps for a few seconds a day, with treats, before you ever use cleaner.
- Warm the bottle in your hand or a bowl of warm water.
- Use a lick mat with something tasty to keep your dog busy.
- Do one ear, take a break, then the other.
- If your dog is in pain or very anxious, ask your vet. Pain needs treating first, and some dogs do better with cleaning done at the clinic.