How to properly clean your dog’s ears

15 minutes and 3 easy steps to clean and healthy ear care.

Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of their regular self-care routine — except minus the part where they can take care of it themselves.

Though it’s an easy need to forget, and might even seem arbitrary compared to more visible ailments, clean and healthy ears are the key to a happy dog. And if done right, it only takes a quick 15 minutes on a Sunday afternoon.

How do I tell when I need to clean my dog’s ears?

It’s all in the details. Cleaning your dog’s ears too much and too little can both lead to infections and inflammation, so learning to recognize a dirty ear when you see one is important.

Typically, a healthy and clean ear should be pink and odorless with no signs of dirt or inflammation. If you still can’t tell, default to smell — no wafts of yeasty or stinky odors is always a good sign.

If you do get a noseful of mild odor or see your dog shaking their head more than usual, it’s probably best to give them a clean. But if you notice reddening, inflammation, or your dog in visible pain, take a trip to the vet instead. These could be signs of an ear infection, fleas, ear mites, or a bad case of allergies. In this case, cleaning their ears would do more harm than good.

What do I need for their ear cleaning?

Just a few simple items from your medicine cabinet. Grab some cotton balls or gauze, a towel, and pick up some special dog ear-cleaning solution from your vet’s office. In any case, do not use cotton-tipped swabs or anything with a pointed tip. They’ll only push dirt deeper into your dog’s ear canals, and can even traumatize the inner ear itself. (Pro Tip: cotton swabs aren’t great for human ear cleanings either.)

You should also avoid attempting to use cleaner alternatives to a vet-approved solution. Even household go-tos like hydrogen peroxide are not suitable for use on your dog’s ears, where the tissue is extremely sensitive.

I’ve got the supplies. Now what?

An easy 1-2-3. Use these steps for a quick and easy ear cleaning:

1. Get your dog comfortable and ensure they don’t feel threatened. It’s easiest to groom when they’re calm, so don’t be afraid to use treats or a quick play session to get them ready.
2. Squeeze enough vet-approved ear-cleaning solution into your dog’s ear to fill the canal. Avoid touching the tip of the applicator to your dog’s ear to keep bacteria at bay. Massage gently at the base of their ear for about 30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound — that’s the product working through debris and buildup.
3. Let your dog shake his head. Protect yourself from the water show with your towel on hand, then use it to wipe their face. Once they’re done, gently wipe any excess solution using your cotton ball or gauze. Be careful not to wipe any further than one knuckle deep.

After your dog is dried, check to make sure they still seem comfortable. If they’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, it’s best to visit your local vet and ensure it’s not anything more.