Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Learn how to safely clean your dog's ears to help prevent discomfort and infections and know when it's time to see your vet.
Author: Dr Maree Monaghan BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 20 minutes - medium read
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for dogs to be seen by vets. Ear infections are painful and can lead to long term consequences such as deafness.
Starting an ear cleaning regime for your beloved pooch when they are young will reap long term benefits for both your dog's health and wellbeing and your hip pocket!
This article will give you all the information you need to:
Understand your dog's ear health
Choose the right ear cleaning products
Prepare Your Dog for Ear Cleaning
Clean your dog's ears safely and effectively
Decide when it's not safe to clean your dog's ears and that it's time for a visit to your vet
Some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others and this is dependent on a number of factors, including:
If you have a dog that ticks any of these boxes, it is recommended to clean their ears once a week and after swimming or bathing unless otherwise instructed by your vet.
Checking your dog's ears on a regular basis, preferably daily, will help you recognise what is normal for your dog and alert you to any signs of ear problems before they become serious.
The basic anatomy of all dogs' ears is the same, regardless of their breed and or the shape of their ear flap.
If you look in your dog's ear, the hole you can see near the base of the inside of the ear is the entrance to the vertical canal. This is where ear cleaning solution is supposed to go so it can travel down and remove debris from the horizontal canal. The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is at the end of the horizontal canal and forms a barrier between the external ear and the delicate middle ear. Ear infections can cause the eardrum to rupture and this is why it is so important to not to put anything in your dog's ears if you think they have an infection (see more on this below).
The first step is training your dog to regard ear cleaning as an enjoyable experience. This is best done when they are puppies, however, dogs are never too old to learn new tricks ! It is vital to use positive reinforcement when training your dog to have their ears cleaned.
There are many excellent products available that are specially formulated for cleaning dog's ears at home, so don't be tempted to fall into the trap of using home remedies like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or coconut oil.
Your ear cleaning tool kit should include:
You will also need tissues, cotton balls or cotton pads to wipe the ears after cleaning and, the most important tool, lots of yummy treats to ensure ear cleaning is fun!!
NEVER use a cotton bud/swab to clean out a dog's ears as these can cause damage to the ear canals and potentially rupture the eardrum.
Ear wipes are another valuable tool to add to your dog's ear cleaning kit as they are perfect for keeping the inside of your dog's ear flaps clean and free from excess wax.
The following signs are red flags that will alert you to the fact that it is time for your dog's ears to be checked by your vet. As mentioned above, ear infections can cause the eardrum to rupture and this is why it is so important to not to put anything in your dog's ears if you think they have an infection.
Red skin in and around the ears
Odour or discharge in or around the ears
Pain when the ears or head are touched
Excessive ear scratching or head shaking
Head tilt
Being diligent and checking your dog's ears regularly along with safe and effective cleaning, is the best way to avoid the pain and distress of ear infections for your beloved pooch.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
