How to Clean a Dog’s Ears in 10 Simple Steps

Ever wondered how to clean a dog’s ears? In some cases, improper cleaning techniques can cause pain and damage to your dog’s ears. To keep this from happening, integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby, gives you some ear cleaning “dos” and “don’ts” and detailed step-by-step instructions that will turn you into an ear-cleaning pro in no time.

Last month, I had a client bring one of my favorite patients in for a visit. His name is Charlie, and he is an 8-year-old Cocker Spaniel. In keeping with his breed, Charlie had long, curly hair everywhere—including his ears. The week before Charlie came to visit me, he had been camping with his family. Like any good camper, Charlie enjoyed swimming in the lake to stay cool.

However, when Charlie and his family came back home, poor Charlie could not stop scratching at his ears. When his mom brought him in for his appointment, she said that his incessant scratching was even waking her up at night.

As I looked in Charlie’s ears, I could see that they were very red and irritated. Poor Charlie had an ear infection from all the swimming. Thankfully, there were medications I could prescribe to help him get some relief. Plus, his mom could help him by cleaning his ears at home.

As I demonstrated ear cleaning to Charlie’s mom, I sympathized with her and told her that my own dogs have had ear infections too. Unfortunately, ear infections can be common and uncomfortable for our furry friends. But thankfully, ear cleaning is something dog parents can do to help prevent ear infections and other causes of ear discomfort.

Why do dog’s ears get dirty?

In order to properly clean our dogs’ ears, we should understand how their ears are designed. Dog ears are fairly similar to human ears, but there are some differences. For example, a dog’s ear canal is longer than ours. Also, it has somewhat of an “L-shape” to it. This means dogs may get debris, wax, water, and plants trapped in their ears. And even if dogs shake their heads or scratch their ears, they probably can’t get all this material out by themselves. 

Some dogs are more prone to dirty ears than others. Certain breeds such as Cocker Spaniels or Shih Tzus can be predisposed to getting build-up in their ears. Dogs with floppy ears instead of ears that stand up can also have more ear problems. This is because floppy ears tend to trap wax and debris and reduce airflow to the ear canals. And as Charlie’s mom noticed, hair in a dog’s ear canal can act as a barrier to hold dirt and moisture in.

Dogs with seasonal or food allergies also are more likely to get ear infections. This is because allergy-associated itching can weaken the skin barrier and set up inflammation and infection in the ears (and other places on the body). As a side note, if your dog suffers from allergies, be sure to check out my blog, Allergy Medicine for Dogs.

Finally, sometimes our senior dogs are prone to gunky ears. This happens because their skin can thicken and be more susceptible to infections. Some diseases that we see more often in older pups like Cushing’s disease in dogs and hypothyroidism in dogs also can predispose them to dirty ears and infections.

What are some ear cleaning “dos” and “don’ts”?

Before we get into the process of how to clean your dog’s ears, there are a few things to keep in mind. Pay close attention to this list of “dos” and “dont’s”:

Do:

• Use an ear cleaner that is designed for dogs.
• Reward your dog regularly during and after cleaning. Some dogs may take time to get used to having their ears cleaned. We want your dog to have a positive experience—sort of like a relaxing day at the spa.
• Be gentle when cleaning the ears. Sometimes dirty or infected ears can be quite painful. Also, the eardrum may be fragile.
• Ask your vet how often you should clean your dog’s ears. The answer can vary from dog to dog depending on the dog’s lifestyle, ear conformation, breed, and past history of ear problems.

Don’t:

• Don’t use an ear cleaner that is alcohol or hydrogen peroxide-based (or use straight alcohol or peroxide). These liquids can be harsh on the ears and cause more pain and irritation.
• Don’t use Q-tips (i.e. cotton-tipped applicators) when cleaning your dog’s ears. Q-tips can damage the ear drum if inserted too far in the ear. Plus, Q-tips may actually push debris further into the ear, which is counterproductive. Your vet or veterinary nurse may use Q-tips in some situations, but this is because they know how to do it safely.
• Don’t use water to clean your dog’s ears. This can actually cause more debris to get trapped and doesn’t break down wax like a good ear cleaning product does.
• Don’t pluck your dog’s ear hair. Sometimes plucking may cause more damage to the ear and can be painful as well. Occasionally there may be situations where the vet will need to remove some hair in the ear canal. But this is best left to his or her professional judgment.

If you are ever unsure about what you should or shouldn’t do when cleaning your dog’s ears, please consult with your veterinarian for advice. He or she can tell you what would be best for your dog’s situation.

Clean your dog’s ears in 10 easy steps

Now that you have an idea of why dogs get dirty ears and some of the ear cleaning “dos” and “don’ts,” it is time to jump into how to clean those ears. I have broken the process down into 10 simple steps that should help make ear cleaning fun and easy for everyone.

Step 1: Prepare your supplies

You will need an ear cleaning solution for dogs. It may be one you purchased over the counter or from your veterinarian. Also, grab something to wipe debris out of your dog’s ears. Pieces of a clean old T-shirt, makeup remover pads (without any product on them), gauze, or cotton balls are all good non-abrasive options. If your veterinarian prescribed medication for your dog’s ears, you will want to get that out as well.

Step 2: Hold the ear flap

Gently grasp the tip of the ear flap and pull upward. This will expose the inside of the ear and the ear canal.

Step 3: Apply the cleaner to the ear

This can be done in two different ways. One option is to apply the ear wash directly into the ear canal. For this method, gently insert the tip of the bottle into the ear canal and squeeze the bottle. Be sure not to touch the tip of the bottle to the ear or push it in so far that you damage the ear drum.

The second method works well for the dogs who don’t like the feeling of ear wash going into their ears. Instead of pouring the cleaner into the ear canal, apply a generous amount of the ear wash to a cotton ball. Then insert the cotton ball into the ear directly. Ensure the cotton ball is large enough that when you let go of it, it won’t slide far enough down into your dog’s ear canal that you can’t reach it.

Step 4: Massage the base of the ear

Whether applying the wash to the ear directly or placing an ear cleaner-soaked cotton ball in the canal, you now need to massage the base of the ear. Do this gently as to not hurt your dog, but firmly enough that you can hear the ear wash swishing around in the canal. 

Step 5: Allow your dog to shake his or her head

Your dog may want to shake his or her head due to the feeling of the ear wash in the ear canal. Not only is it ok, but it is actually a really good thing. Shaking his or her head will help get the wash farther into the canal to break up more debris. It may also bring debris to the surface.

Step 6: Wipe out the ear

Once the ear wash is thoroughly massaged through the canal, it’s time to wipe out the broken-down debris and wax. If there is a cotton ball remaining in the ear, remove it now. Wipe the ear canal gently by using your finger and gauze (or whatever you are using instead). Insert your finger and gauze into the ear canal and gently wipe the ear canal in a circular motion. Then, pull your finger and the gauze out of the ear to remove the debris.

Step 7: Repeat as needed

There is a good chance that you may need to repeat steps 3-6 several times to get the ear fully clean. Continue the process until you no longer get debris with each wipe.

Step 8: Wipe the ear flap

The inner surface of the dog’s ear flap can get dirty, too. Once the canal is clean, moisten a cotton ball (or other type of wipe) with ear wash and used it to clean the inner ear flap.

Step 9: Double check your work

Always verify that you did not leave any gauze or cotton balls in your dog’s ears. This could be very uncomfortable for him or her and make an ear infection more likely to occur.

Step 10: Apply medications (if needed)

If your veterinarian prescribed medication for your dog, apply it according to the direction on the label.

The entire time you are cleaning your dog’s ears, remember to do your best to make it a positive experience. Use treats and praise as a reward. Give your dog a short break if he or she is getting stressed out by the process. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about ear cleaning, please ask one of the members of your dog’s veterinary team to demonstrate ear cleaning or help you troubleshoot.

When should you take your dog to the vet for ear problems?

Ear cleaning is something that you can do at home to help keep your dog healthy and comfortable. However, it isn’t the solution for all problems. Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• A strange smell to the ears.
• Larger than normal amounts of ear debris, especially if is black, red, or other colors not typical for your dog.
• Red, irritated ear canals.
• Excessive scratching at the ears, head shaking, or rubbing head on the floor.
• A head tilt.
• Crying or whining when you handle the ear.

These can all be indicators of an ear infection or a foreign object like a plant seed trapped in the ear. (To learn more about ear infections, check out my podcast Ear Infections in Dogs.) Especially in senior dogs, some of these signs may also indicate other problems such as old dog vestibular disease. For this reason, it is always best to consult your vet when you notice these signs rather than simply continuing to clean the ears in hopes it will help. The sooner a possible infection or other problem is caught, the easier it is to help your dog get better!

Happy cleaning!

Hopefully you now have a better idea about how to clean your dog’s ears and are ready to confidently tackle the task. It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but chances are, you and your dog will soon become accustomed to the routine. Ideally, in time it will be second nature to you and relaxing for your dog.

If this isn’t the case, please reach out to your veterinary team. Not all dogs will enjoy ear cleaning initially, especially if they don’t like having their ears handled. However, there are techniques the veterinary team can show you that can help your dog grow to like—or at least tolerate—ear cleaning. Also, anytime your dog’s ears seem to be worse or not improving with ear cleaning or you have any other concerns, promptly contact your vet.

What are some of your favorite dog ear cleaning hacks?

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