To clean your dog's ears at home, fill the ear canal with a vet-approved ear cleaner, gently massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds, let your dog shake its head, then wipe away loosened wax and dirt from the outer ear with a cotton ball or gauze. Never push cotton swabs into the ear canal, and see your vet if the ear is red, swollen, smelly or painful.
Regular ear checks help you catch problems early, especially in dogs with floppy ears or dogs that swim often. Here is a simple, safe routine.
How often should you clean a dog's ears?
Many dogs only need a check once a week and a cleaning when the ears look dirty. Dogs with long floppy ears, dogs that swim and dogs prone to wax build-up may need cleaning more often. Cleaning too often can irritate the ear, so follow your vet's advice for your dog.
What do you need?
- A gentle ear cleaner made for dogs, such as our ear cleaning drops for dogs and cats
- Cotton balls or gauze pads
- A towel (your dog will shake)
- Treats, or a lick mat to keep your dog busy
Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or homemade mixtures unless your vet tells you to: they can irritate the delicate skin inside the ear.
Step by step: cleaning your dog's ears
- Look first. Lift the ear flap and check for redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell. If you see any of these, stop and call your vet.
- Apply the cleaner. Hold the ear flap up and fill the canal with cleaner, following the label. Do not touch the bottle tip to the ear.
- Massage. Gently rub the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a soft squishing sound.
- Let your dog shake. Step back or hold a towel: this brings debris up from the canal.
- Wipe. Use a cotton ball or gauze to wipe the visible part of the ear and the inside of the flap. Only go as deep as your finger reaches comfortably.
- Reward. Give a treat and repeat on the other ear.
What not to do
- Do not push cotton swabs into the ear canal: they can push wax deeper or injure the ear.
- Do not pluck ear hair unless your vet or groomer recommends it.
- Do not clean an ear that looks infected or painful before seeing your vet.
Signs of an ear problem
Call your vet if your dog shakes its head often, scratches its ears, tilts its head, has a bad smell or dark discharge from the ear, red or swollen skin, or cries when you touch the ear. Ear infections are common and usually need treatment prescribed by a vet.
What about cats?
Most cats keep their ears clean on their own. Check them during grooming, and only clean the visible outer part gently if needed. Dark, crumbly debris in a cat's ear can be a sign of ear mites, which need a vet visit.
Add ear checks to your weekly routine with a simple grooming routine for dogs and cats, and find more care products in our pet health and wellness collection, including ear and eye wipes. Every order ships free across Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Is some ear wax normal for dogs?
Yes. A small amount of light brown wax is normal. A lot of dark wax, discharge or a strong smell is not.
Should I clean my dog's ears after swimming?
Drying the outer ear after swimming helps. Ask your vet whether a drying ear cleaner is right for your dog.
Can I use baby wipes on my dog's ears?
It is better to use products made for pets, which are designed to be gentle on their skin.
Written by Hicham, Zootly. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.