Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions for Attentive and Healthy Dog Ears
If you’re noticing your furry friend scratching and shaking their head more than usual, or if there’s a funny odor, the chances are that your dog needs proper ear cleaning.
Proper maintenance of dog ears is necessary for their overall health and wellbeing. Dog ear cleaning products are made to prevent bacterial infections, inflammation, wax build-ups, and dirt. Dogs with floppy and hairy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels, Sheepdogs, or Miniature Poodles, are more prone to ear infections than others. Hence, it’s always wise to use an ear cleaner to clear their ears up regularly.
We’ve researched and put together a guide about all the qualities that make a good ear cleaning solution, how to use it, what precautions dog parents should take. Along with that, we reviewed the top dog ear cleaning solutions in 2024.
Dog Ear Cleaning Solution Buying Guide
Here’s a comprehensive guide covering all you must know to get the best ear flush for dogs.
Why Do I Need to Clean My Dog’s Ears?
There are two main reasons to keep your dog’s ears clean: to treat an ongoing problem such as an infection or allergy or prevent wax build-up and bacterial infections. Here are some reasons why you should regularly use ear cleaners:
Ear mites
Ear mites are a very common issue with dogs and cats. Ear mites cause dark discharge, itchiness, and a foul smell from your dog’s ears. It can also lead to a bacterial or yeast infection. The antiparasitic property of a dog ear cleaning solution helps eliminate and prevent such infections and mites.
Allergies
Airborne allergens and seasonal allergies can take any healthy dog down. Pollen and dust can leave debris build-up and irritate the ear. Ear cleaners effectively target such build-ups and soothe allergies to bring your pup comfort.
Breeds
If your dog is from a floppy or hairy eared breed, the chances are that they will encounter more ear problems than others. Ear cleaning solutions work best for these breeds to save their covered ears from moisture and bacterial growth.
Bacterial infections
Yeast and bacterial infections are typically treated with topical medication or oral antibiotics, but clearing out dead cells from the ear is also necessary to prevent the issue from recurring. Antifungal and antibacterial dog ear cleaning solutions help in preventing these.
How to Clean Dog’s Ear at Home?
Cleaning your dog’s ear is an easy process, provided the dog ear cleaning solution you’re using is from a quality brand and won’t cause stinging or uneasiness in the dog’s ear.
- Prepare all the products you will need, including cotton balls, ear cleaning solution, wet wipes, etc. Keep them all ready to use. You can always keep a clean cloth or towel and treats nearby to soothe your pup.
- Lay your dog down and sit with them to make them feel relaxed and comfortable. Try to do the process somewhere they always feel at ease.
- Tilt your dog’s ear and lift the ear flap; pour down the dog’s ear cleaning liquid in their ear canal slowly.
- Massage the base of the ear’s opening and let the solution sit for around 10 to 20 seconds, as directed on the bottle. Keep your dog still, pet their neck or distract them with treats.
- When the cleaning solution has worked its magic, clean away any visible debris with a clean cloth or wipe. Don’t go too deep.
- Help your dog up their feet and let them shake the rest of the liquid and excess off. Keep a towel in hand and clear up anything that shows up on the surface after they shake their head.
- The last step is to reward your pet with treats, hugs, and kisses and repeat the same process on the other side.
Will Dog Ear Cleaning Solution Prevent Infections?
Yes, dog ear cleaning products are designed to prevent infection instead of treating an ongoing infection. They can, however, be used to soothe an infection if it has naturally calming ingredients.
You can easily keep all kinds of ear issues and infections at bay with regular ear cleaning at home. Trapped water after swimming, ear mites, fungal build-ups, yeast, and wax, can cause inflammation in your dog’s ear. And leaving them untreated can lead to a serious infection.
No matter what breed of dog you have, make sure you clean their ears in the allergy season and the windy weather, especially if your dog is prone to infections. Besides that, cleaning your dog’s ear with a small amount of dog ear cleaning solution every time they go for a swim can further prevent ear issues. The key is to minimize moisture as it creates an optimal environment for infections to set in.
How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?
The frequency of ear cleaning depends mainly on the breed and lifestyle of your dog. Medical history, climate conditions, ear anatomy, are some other factors that play an important role.
Many dogs need little to no ear maintenance, while others would require it monthly or even less than a monthly basis. Dogs with large flappy ears or extremely hairy ears need their ears cleaned every week or every few days because the ear canal is always covered. This traps a lot of unwanted moisture that can create a very favorable environment for bacterial and fungal growth.
Other than that, you should always clean your dog’s ears with a dog ear cleaning solution and dry them every time they return from swimming or water play. You should also keep an eye out for odor, extra itching, or head shaking to ensure your dog is healthy.
Conclusion
When picking the best dog ear cleaning solutions in 2021, take into account the effectiveness, convenience, and price of the product you are considering. Preventative care is always better than dealing with an infection.
Make sure you regularly check and clean your dog’s ears to free them from wax, debris, yeast, and bacterial growth.
Five Top Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions in 2024
Pet Health Pros Dog Ear Cleaning Solution
– Great Scent
The Pet Health Pros Dog Ear Cleaning Solution is an essential grooming tool for pet owners. It provides a gentle and effective way to clean and maintain the health of both cats’ and dogs’ ears. The ear wash solution has a cucumber melon scent that eliminates odors, providing a pleasant experience for pet owners.
The easy-to-use solution makes cleaning pet ears easier than using wipes or powder. All you have to do is apply the solution to the pet’s ear canal and massage the base of the ear. Afterward, let your pet shake its head to remove any excess solution from its ears. This provides effective dirt removal from the ears. Depending on how dirty your pet’s ears are, apply this solution two to three times daily for smelly and dirty ears; one to two times weekly if your pet’s ears are already clean.
- Non-irritating formula
- Prevents itching
- Lovely cucumber melon scent
- Have to use often
ProPooch Dog Ear Cleaner Solution
– Gentle Formula
Help your pup’s scratchy ears with some Pro Pooch dog ear cleaning solution that promises fast and long-lasting relief. This solution alleviates discomfort by thoroughly cleaning the ear and mainly targets wax build-up. The solution is formulated not only to ease ear illnesses but also to prevent harm from unfriendly intruders.
There is no pre-cleaning required to use this product; just pour the liquid solution into your dog’s ear canal until it’s visible. Your dog will then shake off excess liquid, dirt, and wax. Use the solution according to the vet’s recommendations. Make sure you put the cap back on so the solution stays fresh and safe for use. It also helps with any ear odor your dog might have.
- Alcohol-free and non-toxic
- Relieve redness, and waxy or itchy ears
- pH balanced and 100% naturally derived
- Consistency is a little thick
Burt’s Bee Dog Ear Cleaner
– Also Consider
This natural dog ear cleaning solution features witch hazel and peppermint. It soothes itching and uneasiness in your pup’s ears. It removes excess moisture from the ear that invites and speeds up bacterial growth. It has all-natural ingredients, the most effective amongst them being witch hazel that removes excess wax build-up while the peppermint oil magically soothes irritation.
Pour Burt’s Bee dog ear cleaner into the dog’s ear canal and gently massage the end of the canal. It will loosen up the wax, making it easier to flush out. You can safely use it to soothe ear inflammation, irritation, or infections in puppies and elderly dogs. The solution has carefully been pH balanced to ensure it doesn’t disrupt the natural pH and working of the ear canal.
- Sulfates-free, fragrance-free, and colorants-free
- Natural and safe ingredients
- Gentle and soothing
- Fresh smell and feel
- No peppermint oil warning or dosage indication
Virbac EPIOTIC Dog Ear Cleanser
– Reduce Irritation
Vets recommend Virbac ear cleanser to treat irritation, wax buildup, redness, and itching from your pet’s ears. Unlike most ear cleaning solutions, this one doesn’t sting and won’t make your dog restless after you pour it in their ears. The solution works its magic in just two to three applications. It’s perfect for dogs with sensitive ears.
Pour it directly into your dog’s ear canal to remove excessive wax and debris by simply and painlessly drying it off. The dog will shake off when all the wax and debris and dried. Veterinarians usually recommend this ear cleanser for dogs and cats with chronic otitis externa. The cleanser relieves the ear canal of any inflammation and odor as well.
- Low pH and naturally sourced
- Won’t sting or make your pet uncomfortable
- Innovative glycotechnology for reducing inflammation
- It has an unpleasant scent
VetWELL Dog Ear Cleaner Solution
– Honorable Mention
This dog ear cleaning solution is formulated by veterinarians and made to clean out your pet’s ears quickly. The solution works effectively to clear wax and debris build-up and ear infections. This product is a complete treatment for ear infections, so you can save your pet from the anxiety of having to visit a vet.
VetWELL ear cleaning solution is super easy on the ears, and you can also use it to treat puppies and kittens. It won’t cause any stinging or burning in the ear. The consistency is perfect for flushing out dead cells dirt and loosening up stubborn wax build-up in your dog’s ears. It is safe for long-term use and comes with an extensive guide about the age and appropriate dosage for your dog.
- Made from trusted sources and laboratory tested
- Veterinarian-grade ingredients for infections and itching
- Gentle and non-stinging
- Some dogs dislike the strong fragrance
Mighty Petz Dog Ear Cleanser
– Most Reliable
This four-in-one solution comes with mild and natural ingredients like aloe vera and cucumbers that relieve your pet from constant head shaking and itching. It’s safe for use for all dog breeds and sizes. Mighty Petz dog ear cleaning solution soothes itching with just one application. It will safely remove debris and wax without any pair, itching, or stinging.
Dogs with hairy and floppy ears, more prone to ear problems, can benefit from this cleaner. This ear cleaner is perfect for removing gunk, wax, debris build-up from the ear and prevents further growth by creating an unfavorable environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. It also eliminates unpleasant smells from your dog’s ear and leaves a nice cucumbery fresh scent.
- Flushes out dirt and wax painlessly
- Treats itchy, red, and inflamed ear
- Soothing effects from aloe vera and cucumber
- Not labeled with a complete ingredients list
People Also Asked
A: A liquid dog ear cleaning solution is better and more effective than wipes.
A: You can use an antifungal ear cleaning solution for dogs or antibacterial drops to clean out the ears.
A: You will not necessarily require any extra equipment if you're using a good-quality dog ear cleaning solution. You can use cotton or disinfectant wipes to clear up any debris or wax that comes up to the surface. QTIPS are unsafe and should never be used inside the ear canal.