7 of the best ear cleaners for dogs in 2024

Your dog’s ears are so powerful they can hear sounds humans can’t Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source . But of course, nothing beats the sound your voice makes when you tell them how much you love them. So when it comes to keeping your furry friends happy and healthy, proper ear grooming is important. Dog ear cleaners help keep your pet’s hearing in tip-top shape by preventing ear wax build-up, itchy ears, and ear infections.

There are many ear-cleaning solutions available, but you want to find the best one for your pet. Our team assembled a comprehensive guide by reviewing popular pet ear cleaners on the market. We specifically focused on four criteria – safety, effectiveness, application, and quality.

Cost-effectiveness is important for many pet parents. After all, you want to leave some of their doggie allowance for toys and treats. Here’s a look at how these ear cleaners compare against one another when looking at the price per ounce.

*Price on Amazon or Chewy at the time of our review

Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner is one of the best vet-approved dog ear cleaners on the market. The pH is neutralized, so pet parents don’t have to worry about it irritating a dog’s skin or interfering with medication for ear infections. The solution doesn’t contain alcohol, so it’s gentle and typically works on dogs with sensitive ears, which makes it a great choice for daily use.

Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner uses glycotechnology, which the brand makes in-house. Epi-Otic says their glycotechnology can stop microorganisms like yeast and bacteria from populating, or break them up if they do. The brand says it can help with chronic otitis externa Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source or inflammation in your dog’s ear canal. This formula boasts a fresh, pleasant scent versus a lingering medicinal odor. It costs around $20 for an 8-ounce bottle.

Pet parents rave about VetWell Dog and Cat Ear Cleaner, saying that the sweet fragrance is the icing on the cake (or at least it smells like it is).  This cucumber-melon-scented cleaner is easy to use and effectively removes debris.

VetWell Dog and Cat Ear Cleaner includes safe ingredients like aloe vera and lactic acid. It does contain some alcohol, a drying agent that can be too harsh for sensitive ears. However, alcohol can help control microorganisms and break up waxy material in the canal.

This cleaner is available on Amazon as an 8-ounce bottle for around $15-$20.

Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash & Dry Combo effectively cleans and dries a dog’s ear post-swim, helping to prevent irritation and infection. This product contains natural ingredients, including chamomile, aloe vera, clove oil, and tea tree oil. Though the ingredients are safe, the tea tree oil may irritate your pet’s ear if they have sores. Tea tree oil can also be toxic to pets in high concentrations, so it’s important to never apply or administer it to your pet on your own.

The two-step process makes application — and drying — a cinch. It’s perfect for pet parents who are on the move, just like their water-loving dogs. The product comes in a 4 fl. bottle that’s sold on Amazon for under $20.

Vetoquinol is a favorite and trusted brand in the veterinary industry, and animal hospitals countrywide use it. Their ear-cleansing solution contains safe ingredients that reduce inflammation. It also includes aloe vera, which moisturizes dry ears. It does have some alcohol, though — something to keep in mind if your dog naturally has dry ears.

Long-time users say this product helps them keep their dog’s ears clean. Vetoquinol Ear Cleansing Solution comes in 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, or gallon bottles, so the price varies.

April showers bring seasonal allergies, so be ready to spring into action before the irritation develops into an ear infection. Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone makes scratching season much more pleasant for pups, so they enjoy their outdoor adventures with you. This solution can also help cut down on ear infections.

Zymox uses hydrocortisone to reduce agitation and inflammation from allergies. It also takes an antimicrobial approach to treating ear infections with enzymes. This product should be effective if pet owners notice the irritation early but likely won’t help with full-blown ear infections.

Each bottle has 1.25 oz of solution. Additionally, it’s available in a 4 oz. or 8 oz. bottle. This product is more expensive than others we’ve reviewed, but it’s non-toxic and safe to use on cats. We should note that it’s meant to treat mild ear infections, not to cure severe infections or to be used as part of your dog’s routine grooming maintenance.

This alcohol-free cleaner by PetLab Co. is safe for daily use. Salicylic acid and ketoconazole are the active ingredients that help to dry out the excessive moisture in your pet’s ears, without being as harsh as alcohol. This product also includes moisturizing agents. The instructions say it works as intended so long as you apply it to your dog’s ears twice daily as part of their regular maintenance. It’s not intended to treat or cure ear infections.

PetLab Co. ear cleaner is available in a 4 or 8 fl oz. bottle. The price varies depending on size, but plan to spend around $20 for a small bottle or $35 for a large one.

Despite “keto” in the name, your dog doesn’t have to cut carbs for this product. Dechra TrizULTRA Plus Keto Flush utilizes ketoconazole, an antifungal medication, as an active ingredient that safely cleans your dog’s ears to prevent infections. It’s also safe to use this product alongside antibiotic medications if an infection has already occurred.

This product is best for dogs with chronic ear infections, especially if the underlying cause hasn’t been diagnosed. It’s fragrance-free and doesn’t contain alcohol, which makes it a gentler formula than some on the market.

At around $20 for a 4 oz. bottle, the price is about what we’d expect to pay for a dog ear cleaner on Amazon.

Choosing the best ear-cleaning product for your dog isn’t an easy task. We’ve done some of the hard work for you by considering the quality, price, ingredients, and effectiveness of every product on our list.

Some ear cleaners are best for dogs with recurring ear infections or allergies, while others are great maintenance cleaners for all dogs. Follow your vet’s advice about how often your dog needs their ears cleaned and avoid home remedies as many of them can irritate or damage your dog’s ears. You’ll also need to consider whether a liquid cleaner or wipe is a better idea for your dog.

Liquid dog ear cleaners vs. dog ear wipes

Liquid cleaning solutions are great for getting into the delicate nooks and crannies of your dog’s ears. They’re ideal for dogs with debris or ear wax build-up. They tend to be fairly easy to use but also messy. You may need other materials, such as cotton balls, to help apply liquid solutions.

Wipes are best for pet parents who don’t want the mess of a liquid ear cleaner or the fuss of using cotton balls. However, you can’t reach the ear canal and they’re not the most eco-friendly option either since each wipe is disposable.

When do dogs need their ears cleaned?

Have you noticed a strange smell coming from your pup’s ears? Perhaps your dog seems to be scratching their ears more than usual. Both of these signs could mean that your dog needs their ears cleaned.

👉 Regular ear cleanings can help prevent ear infections. However, ear cleaners don’t usually treat active ear infections in dogs.

There are two main reasons why dogs might need their ears cleaned: to prevent possible bacterial infections and wax build-up or to treat ongoing issues, such as allergies. Your pup may need their ears cleaned because they’ve just been swimming or because their breed is more prone to auditory issues. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common reasons why dogs need their ears cleaned:

• Allergies. Seasonal allergies and airborne allergens, like pollen and dust, can cause debris build-up and irritation in a dog’s ears. While you should try to keep your pup away from these irritants, ear cleaners help rid debris build-up and soothe your pooch’s ears. Allergies may also cause recurring yeast infections.
• Infections. While bacterial and yeast infections are generally treated with oral antibiotics or topical ointments, using an antibacterial or antifungal ear cleaner can help prevent them from recurring. However, ear cleaners won’t treat existing infections. Take Fido to the vet if you suspect an ear infection.
• Ear mites. More common in dogs that cohabit with cats, ear mites can cause ear itchiness, dark discharge, and a foul smell. They may make it easier for dogs to develop yeast and bacterial infections. If your dog already has ear mites, they will need to visit the vet for mite-killing medication before you can do regular ear cleanings at home.
• Breed health issues. If your dog has hairy or floppy ears, they may be more prone to ear issues. These breeds include Old English sheepdogs, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, cocker spaniels, and poodles.

Cleaning your dog’s ears is easy to do at home, although it will take time and practice to get your pooch comfortable with the process. You might want to distract your dog with some peanut butter or other long-lasting tasty treat while you do the dirty work, especially if your pup tends to squirm. Here are a couple of other ways to help them become comfortable with the process:

• Touch their ears more. Your dog might hate ear cleanings because they’re not used to having their sensitive ears touched. Before you even attempt to clean their ears, start by touching their ears and rewarding them with treats.
• Use a saturated cotton pad. Squeezing liquid drops into your dog’s ear canal can startle them. Instead, you can either use a wipe or saturate a cotton pad with the liquid solution and gently set it at their ear opening. Let it sit as you massage the area so that the liquid drips into the ear canal. Then, remove the cotton pad and gently wipe away any visible gunk.

👉If you suspect that your dog may have an ear infection or a ruptured eardrum, don’t try to clean your dog’s ears at home. You should take them to the vet immediately so that they can receive the medical care they need and reduce the risk of becoming deaf.

Incorporating ear cleanings as a part of your dog’s regular grooming routine can help prevent irritation and infections. However, you should always take your dog to the vet if they’re showing signs of an ear infection or ruptured eardrum. At-home cleaners can damage your dog’s ears if there are open sores or punctures, so they should only be used for preventative care or cases of mild irritation.