How often should I clean my dog's ears?

Most dogs with healthy ears only need cleaning now and then, when you can see dirt - often once a month is enough. Floppy, hairy ears or dogs prone to infection may need a check every 1-2 weeks. Ask your vet what frequency suits your dog.

What should I use to clean my dog's ears?

A dog-specific ear cleaner plus cotton balls or gauze. Skip hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and essential oils, which irritate the sensitive canal lining. Cotton buds are out, because they push wax deeper in.

Can I use cotton buds in my dog's ears?

No. Cotton buds push wax and debris deeper into the canal, and one sudden move from your dog can rupture the eardrum. Wipe only the visible part of the ear flap with a cotton ball or gauze, never down the canal.

What are the signs of a dog ear infection?

Common signs include a bad smell, redness and swelling, dark or pus-like discharge, frequent head shaking, scratching at the ear and pain when touched. If you see these, do not keep cleaning - book a vet visit, because ear infections rarely clear up on their own.

Do floppy-eared dogs need more care?

Yes. A floppy ear flap restricts airflow, so the canal stays warmer and more humid - ideal conditions for infection. Breeds like cocker spaniels, basset hounds and setters need more frequent checks and careful drying after baths and swimming.

Health & grooming

Cleaning Your Dog's Ears: When, How and What to Use

DOGOUT TeamUpdated: 1 July 20265 min read

An owner gently cleaning the ear of a calm floppy-eared dog — Photo: Sudhir Sangwan / Pexels

In short

Clean your dog's ears only when they are dirty, not on a schedule and not every day. Use a dog ear cleaner, soak a cotton ball or gauze and wipe only the visible part of the ear flap. Never push cotton buds deep into the canal - you can pack debris further in or rupture the eardrum. Smell, redness, head shaking or scratching are signals to see your vet, not to keep cleaning harder.

Your dog's ears are not something to scrub every day - most dogs manage perfectly well on their own. Your job is to watch, react to the first warning signs, and clean only when there is actually something to clean. Done gently and sensibly, ear cleaning takes a minute and can spare your dog a painful infection. Done by force, with a cotton bud rammed down the canal, it does more harm than good.

When should you clean a dog's ears?

The rule is simple: clean when you see dirt, not on a fixed calendar. Take a quick look inside the ear once a week while you are petting your dog. If the flap is clean, pink and odour-free, do nothing. Cleaning a healthy ear for no reason disrupts its natural balance and can irritate it.

Good moments to check and possibly clean:

after a bath and after every swim, since moisture in the canal invites infection,
when you see a brownish film or a build-up of wax near the canal entrance,
when your dog scratches an ear more than usual or rubs it along the floor.

Important: if the ear is already red, swollen, painful or smells bad, do not clean it yourself. That can be an infection that needs a proper exam and treatment. Cleaning an already irritated ear only makes things worse.

How to clean a dog's ears step by step

Get a dog ear cleaner and some cotton balls or gauze ready. Stay calm - a dog that once links cleaning with pain will squirm every single time.

Settle your dog somewhere quiet, ideally after a short walk when they are relaxed.
Pour the cleaner into the canal as directed on the label (one dose is usually enough).
Massage the base of the ear for a few seconds - you will hear a squelching sound. This loosens and dissolves the debris.
Let your dog shake their head - that naturally flings the loosened gunk up from deep in the canal.
Wipe the visible part of the flap and the canal entrance with a cotton ball or gauze. Go no deeper than one knuckle.
Reward your dog with a treat. A positive association pays off next time.

What never to do

Never push cotton buds deep into the canal. They pack wax and dirt further in, and one head jerk can rupture the eardrum.
Skip hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and essential oils. They irritate the delicate canal lining.
Do not clean daily or just in case. With ears, less is more.
Do not ignore pain. If your dog yelps or pulls away when you touch an ear, that is a vet signal, not a reason to press on.

What to use - what helps and what hurts

Product	Use it?	Why
Dog ear cleaner	Yes	Made for the pH and sensitive lining of the canal
Cotton ball or gauze	Yes	Safe for wiping the visible part
Cotton buds	No	Push debris deeper, risk eardrum damage
Hydrogen peroxide	No	Irritates and dries the canal lining
Alcohol	No	Stings, especially on irritated skin
Essential oils	No	Can be irritating and unpredictable

If you are unsure which cleaner to pick for your dog, ask your vet at a routine visit - they will match the product to your dog's ear type and skin.

Signs of an ear infection - when to see the vet

Cleaning is hygiene, not treatment. Certain signs mean it is time for a professional exam, not another dose of cleaner:

A bad smell - sour, pus-like or reminiscent of stale food.
Redness and swelling inside the flap.
Dark, pus-like or heavy discharge.
Frequent head shaking and tilting the head to one side.
Intense scratching at the ear and rubbing it on furniture or the floor.
Pain - your dog pulls the head away, whimpers or will not let you touch the ear.

Dog ear infections usually do not clear up on their own and, left untreated, can even lead to hearing problems. If you spot the signs above, book a vet visit instead of experimenting at home. Regular cleaning goes hand in hand with the rest of grooming - read more in our guides on dog coat grooming and how to bathe a dog properly.

Why floppy-eared dogs need more care

A floppy ear flap covers the canal entrance and restricts airflow. The result: it stays warmer and more humid inside, which is exactly what bacteria and yeast love. That is why breeds like cocker spaniels, basset hounds, setters and spaniels need more frequent checks than dogs with upright ears.

What helps with floppy ears:

Drying thoroughly after every bath and swim.
Checking more often - take a look inside every few days.
Acting on the first whiff rather than waiting for your dog to start scratching.

Hygiene is not just ears - the same habit of watching extends to the teeth. For how to look after your dog's mouth, see our guide to dog dental care.

Healthy ears mean a dog who happily runs, sniffs and heads out without discomfort. Sort the hygiene, then get out there - check the DOGOUT map to see who is walking nearby, set up a shared walk and let your dog live a little.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my dog's ears?: Most dogs with healthy ears only need cleaning now and then, when you can see dirt - often once a month is enough. Floppy, hairy ears or dogs prone to infection may need a check every 1-2 weeks. Ask your vet what frequency suits your dog.
What should I use to clean my dog's ears?: A dog-specific ear cleaner plus cotton balls or gauze. Skip hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and essential oils, which irritate the sensitive canal lining. Cotton buds are out, because they push wax deeper in.
Can I use cotton buds in my dog's ears?: No. Cotton buds push wax and debris deeper into the canal, and one sudden move from your dog can rupture the eardrum. Wipe only the visible part of the ear flap with a cotton ball or gauze, never down the canal.
What are the signs of a dog ear infection?: Common signs include a bad smell, redness and swelling, dark or pus-like discharge, frequent head shaking, scratching at the ear and pain when touched. If you see these, do not keep cleaning - book a vet visit, because ear infections rarely clear up on their own.
Do floppy-eared dogs need more care?: Yes. A floppy ear flap restricts airflow, so the canal stays warmer and more humid - ideal conditions for infection. Breeds like cocker spaniels, basset hounds and setters need more frequent checks and careful drying after baths and swimming.