10 Best Dog Ear Cleaners In 2022

Updated: October 17th, 2022

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It is well known that dogs have sensitive ears. They can hear you opening the fridge or shaking a bag of their favorite food from miles away! But their ears aren’t just sensitive to hearing, they are also prone to problems such as ear infections. This can be most easily solved with the best dog ear cleaners on the market.

Overview of 10 Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions

Ears that are infected or blocked can cause major problems for your dog, not only affecting their hearing but also their equilibrium, and in the worst cases, leading to more serious medical conditions. The best way to prevent these kinds of dangerous ear conditions is to keep your dog’s ears healthy through regular cleaning.

There are a wide variety of dog ear cleaning products that you can use at home. But considering how important and sensitive their ears are, it is necessary to find something that is strong enough to do the job but won’t irritate their ears.

To help you out, I’ve made a list of 10 of the best ear cleaners for dogs that you can buy for home use. I have also put together a comprehensive guide telling you exactly what you should be looking for in a dog ear cleaner and how to go about keeping your dog’s ears healthy and happy.

10 Best Dog Ear Cleaners

1. Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone – Best Overall Dog Ear Cleaner

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Zymox ear treatment is the most effective product on the market if you are looking for something that won’t just clean ears but can also be used to treat infections that may already have developed.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredients lysosome, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase anti-microbial enzymes
• Acts as both a cleaner and a treatment

This all-natural cleanser uses three natural anti-microbial enzymes to deal with bacteria, fungi, and yeast, namely lysosome, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase. The solution also contains about one percent hydrocortisone to help soothe skin and relieve any itching your pup may be feeling.

Unlike cleaners, which are primarily for prevention, this treatment solution will clean but is powerful enough to deal with existing ear infections. Simply use it daily for seven to 14 days. It manages to do this without containing any antibiotics, which can disrupt your dog’s health in other ways.

On the downside, this product is so good that even a small bottle is expensive, but it is worth the investment if your dog suffers from regular ear issues.

Pros:

• All-natural ingredients
• Three different enzymes to counter bacteria, fungal, and yeast infections
• Reduces itching with hydrocortisone
• Treats existing ear infections without antibiotics

Cons:

• Expensive

The Zymox treatment solution is the best quality option on the market if you are looking for something to both clean ears and treat existing ear infections.

2. Zymox Veterinary Strength Dog And Cat Ear Cleanser – Best Enzyme Ear Cleaner

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This dog ear cleaning solution from Zymox is their milder formula for more basic ear cleaning and is ideal for dogs with sensitive ears.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredients bio-active lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, and lysozyme
• Gently cleans and soothes dirty ears

Using a similar bio-active enzyme approach to Zymox’s treatment formula, this cleaner will clear away dirt and grime and deal with any bacteria or fungi that may have made itself at home in your dog’s ears. The cleaner is all natural and non toxic, giving you peace of mind as far as your dog’s health is concerned.

This liquid is also designed to neutralize the kinds of bad smelling odors that can build up in dogs’ ears and leave behind a fresh, light scent that should appeal, but lingering scents can always be off-putting to some dogs.

Pros:

• All-natural ingredients
• Safe for sensitive ears
• Reduces ear odors

Cons:

• The scent may not appeal to all dogs

Zymox’s cleaner is a safe and effective way to clean the ears of sensitive pups.

3. Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner For Dogs And Cats – Best Budget Ear Cleaning

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Virbac offers an affordable ear cleaner for dogs for those looking for a quality dog ear cleaning solution on a budget.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• It has a low pH

While this product is not all-natural, it does not contain any alcohol or chlorhexidine, which can be dangerous to your dog if they have a ruptured eardrum. Rather, Virbac’s formula uses 0.2 percent salicylic acid as its active cleansing ingredient, which also allows it to maintain a neutral pH balance.

This liquid is also designed to be self-drying and to dry out the ear canal. This ensures an easier cleanup and reduces the likelihood of moisture left in the ears causing further issues. The solution also uses patented anti-odor technology to reduce ear canal odors.

The main problem that some pet owners have reported with this formula is that it may be too good, being on the strong side for sensitive dogs and irritating their ears.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Self-drying for easier cleanup and a dry ear canal
• Reduces ear canal odor

Cons:

• Not all-natural
• May be slightly strong for some dogs

Virbac offers an effective ear cleaning solution for dogs with serious ear grime without breaking the bank.

4. Vet Organics EcoEars Dog Ear Cleaner – Best All-Natural

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Vet Organics EcoEars dog ear cleaner not only uses all-natural ingredients but ingredients that you will recognize to effectively clean your dog’s ears.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredients mullein leaf, witch hazel, rosemary, and tea tree oil
• Provides fast-acting relief in 24 to 48 hours

This formula is made from all-natural ingredients that are safe for your pet including mullein leaf, tea tree oil, and rosemary, all of which effectively break up dirt and fight inflammation. The formula contains no chemicals, antibiotics, cortisone, steroids, or enzymes. It does, however, contain a little bit of alcohol which can damage dogs’ ears if they have a problem with their eardrums.

This cleaner works as a preventative solution by rendering the ear uninhabitable to bacteria and fungi when used weekly. It can also be used twice a day as a treatment and will offer your dog relief within 24 to 48 hours.

Unsurprisingly for an all-natural formula, it is a little on the expensive side.

Pros:

• All-natural ingredients
• Can be used for prevention and treatment

Cons:

• Expensive
• Contains alcohol

EcoEar offers a great all-natural formula full of ingredients that you will recognize, so you can be sure you aren’t putting anything dangerous into your dog’s ears.

5. Pet MD Otic-Clean Dog And Cat Ear Cleaner – Best Sensitive Ear Cleaner

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The gentle formula has been developed specifically by vets to be kind enough to use with even the most sensitive dogs.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• Gentle formula

This gentle, sting-free and burn-free formula breaks down wax buildup and removes dirt. It gently cleanses, as well as drying and acidifying the ear canal to help ensure that the ear is not an environment in which bacteria will flourish. It also has added aloe vera to soothe itchiness and ensure against post-cleaning scratching.

The formula disperses odors and also leaves behind a pleasant sweet pea and vanilla scent. But as with all scents, whether or not this appeals to your dog comes down to them as an individual.

On the downside, this formula does contain alcohol. The use of alcohol in ear cleaners is currently being debated, because  if the inner ear is ruptured, alcohol can do major damage to the ear.

Pros:

• Gentle enough for sensitive dogs
• Dries out the ear to make it uninhabitable for bacteria
• Contains aloe vera to soothe skin and hydrate

Cons:

• Scent may not appeal to all dogs
• Contains alcohol

This formula from Pet MD has been specially formulated to effectively clean while not irritating dogs with sensitive ears.

6. Burt’s Bees Dog Ear Cleaner Solution – Best Natural and Affordable Ear Cleaning Solution

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This dog ear cleaning solution from Burt’s Bees is all natural but still manages to be highly affordable.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredients peppermint oil, witch hazel, and tea tree oil
• Made with 99.8% natural ingredients

This cleaner not only uses natural ingredients but the ingredients that you will recognize to clean your dog’s ears. Witch hazel cleanses the ear and removes excess moisture. Peppermint oil kills odors and leaves behind a fresh scent which may or may not appeal to your dog. Tea tree oil helps kill bacteria and any other nasties that have made their way into the ear canal. The resulting formula has a pH that is just right for dogs.

Some owners have noted that this ear cleaner is not as effective as some of the less natural options that they have tried. But fortunately, it is gentle enough to use more regularly to treat ears effectively.

Pros:

• Affordable
• pH balanced for dogs
• All-natural and recognizable ingredients

Cons:

• Scent may not appeal to all dogs
• Less effective than some other, non-natural alternatives

Burt’s Bees offers an all-natural formula that you can trust with a price tag that is affordable and accessible.

7. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Ear Therapy – Best Ear Cleaner For Puppies

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This is an alcohol- and scent-free ear cleaning formula that is gentle enough to use even with puppies.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• Alcohol-free formula

This salicylic acid-based formula also uses the natural power of tea tree oil to deal with bacteria. While this formula does not contain any alcohol or other nasties that could be potentially dangerous for your dog, it is not all natural. Nevertheless, it should not cause your dog any unnecessary upset.

This formula manages to deodorize the ear without the need to leave behind a scent, which dogs tend not to like. It is also gentle enough to be used on animals as young as 12 weeks old.

Pros:

• Uses natural ingredients
• Gentle enough to use with young dogs
• Deodorizes without scents

Cons:

• Not all natural

This Veterinary Formula cleaner manages to deodorize without the need for fragrances and is mild enough to use even with young dogs.

8. OtiRinse Ear Cleansing / Drying Solution For Dogs And Cats – Best Drying

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For dogs that have a tendency to hold moisture in their ears, this formula from OtiRinse both cleans and dries.

Product Features

• Liquid solution
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• Convenient option for routine cleansing of ear canals

This formula uses an acidifying solution that will effectively break up wax and debris but will also dry the ear out to stop it from becoming the kind of moist and dark environment that bacteria, fungi, and yeast love. The formula also uses soothing aloe vera to ensure that dry ears don’t feel itchy.

On the negative side, this formula does contain a little bit of alcohol which means that it is not safe to use if you suspect that the eardrum has been ruptured. It also leaves behind a light scent, which some dogs might not mind but could be off-putting to others.

Pros:

• Cleans and dries the ear
• Uses aloe vera to keep dry ears hydrated

Cons:

• Contains alcohol
• The scent may not appeal to all dogs

If you have a dog with long ears that tend to trap moisture, then OtiRinse offers an excellent solution for keeping your dog’s ears bacteria free.

9. Pet MD Aloe Vera And Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes – Best Ear Cleaning Wipes

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Pet MD wipes can be a great solution if you are looking for a quick way to clean the outer portions of dogs’ ears.

Product Features

• Wipes
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• Ideal for quick clean-ups

Containing purified water, aloe vera extract, eucalyptus oil, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, these wipes will clean, deodorize, and moisturize the outer sections of your dog’s ears. Without any alcohol, these wipes should be gentle enough not to sting the ears, and the aloe vera also soothes dry skin.

The easy wiping action means that these are easy to use with dogs that struggle to settle down for a liquid ear cleaning. However, if your dog has an ear infection or dirt and wax deep in the ear canal, these simply won’t be sufficient to do the trick. The wipes also leave behind a light fragrance, which may not appeal to all pups.

Pros:

• Easy to use with dogs that don’t like ear cleaning
• Aloe vera soothes and hydrates
• Alcohol-free for sting-free cleaning

Cons:

• Not suitable for cleaning the inner ear canal
• Scent may not appeal to all dogs

These wipes from Pet MD are great if you are looking for a quick and easy solution to keep healthy dog ears clean.

10. Professional Pet Products AromaCare Ear Wipes – Best Odor Control

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Professional pet products offers another great wipe that is ideal for keeping the ears of healthy dogs clean and odor free.

Product Features

• Wipes
• Active ingredient salicylic acid
• Formulated with natural aloe vera and eucalyptus oil

Using salicylic acid as its active cleansing ingredient, this wipe teams up aloe vera to soothe and moisturize with eucalyptus oil to kill bacteria and fungi and deal with odors. As well as dispelling odors, the wipes leave behind a light fragrance that can linger for a few days and may or may not appeal to your dog.

The wipes are extremely easy to use, presoaked in the cleaning formula, and are soft on your dog’s ears but durable enough to not fall apart during use.

Pros:

• Easy to use with dogs that don’t like ear cleaning
• Aloe vera soothes and hydrates
• Alcohol-free for sting-free cleaning

Cons:

• Not all natural
• Scent may not appeal to all dogs

These AromaEar wipes are a great way to keep healthy dog ears clean and odor-free.

Dog Ear Cleaner Buying Guide

Dog Ear Problems

Dogs don’t just benefit from the good hearing that comes with sensitive ears, they also suffer with more ear problems. Their ears have deep canals that are full of nooks and crannies that are the perfect environment for parasites, yeasts, and pests. This can cause them minor issues such as ear infections and excessive wax build-up, or it can lead to serious health issues such as deafness, hypothyroidism, and food allergies (read more about common health problems in Goldens).

Some of the most common ear problems in dogs include:

• Airborne allergies. Dust and pollen are common airborne allergies for dogs, and if they make themselves at home in your dog’s ears, your pet can suffer for long periods of time.
• Bacterial infections. Staphylococcal infections in the ear are pretty common in dogs and are the result of bacteria setting up shop in your dog’s ears. These generally need to be treated with a course of canine antibiotics which present their own health risks to dogs.
• Foreign body obstruction. This is when a small piece of debris, such as seeds or rocks, get caught up in your dog’s ear and make an obstruction which can impair their hearing and potentially damage the eardrum.

• Mite infestation. There are varieties of mites that live off the wax in dogs’ ears, and if they manage to make a home there, they will cause your dog high levels of discomfort. Dogs that regularly suffer from mites should be treated with preventative treatments, much like flea treatments.
• Yeast infections. Fungal infections can occur in your dog’s ears, much like bacterial infections, but they are harder to treat. These most often occur in dogs with long ears, as these close the ear canal and can create a dark and moist environment in which fungi thrive. By the way, you can check our top recommended dog food for yeast infections, that actually works!

Any of these conditions, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. For example, they can cause:

… proliferation of the lining of the ear canal which leads to a narrowing of the car canal. Ear canals that are drastically narrowed are known as stenotic ear canals. In some cases, the ear canals become so stenotic (narrow) that it is impossible to treat them medically. In this situation, surgery may be the only option for your dog.

You should check your dog’s ears as part of a regular grooming routine. For dog breeds that are more prone to ear issues, this should be on a weekly basis. If your dog suffers from allergies, has floppy ears, or has lots of hair in its ear canals, be sure to check them regularly.

Examine the ears carefully, looking out for tell-tale signs of issues including:

• Dark-colored ear wax
• Discharge
• Excessive wax
• Hair loss from the ear
• Odors 
• Redness inside the ear
• Swelling or bumps

If your dog is spending a lot of time shaking its head or scratching its ears, this can also indicate that they are having an issue.

Checking ears should be coupled with regular cleaning. How often this will need to be done depends on the condition of your dog’s ears, which you should know through regular examination. Dog ear cleaning helps prevent the canine ear issues discussed above, but it is not usually sufficient to reverse issues once they have developed. This will probably require a trip to the vet.

Dog Ear Cleaners And Cleaning Solutions

The cleaning solutions that you can buy to keep your pooch’s ears clean and healthy come in a variety of different types but are usually either a liquid or a wipe. These will often be described as otic, which simply means that they are for the ear

Liquids

Liquid cleaners come in small bottles and are designed to be dripped into the ear, much like eye drops. You add a small amount of the solution to the ear canal and leave it for a few minutes, allowing it to spread throughout the ear and break up any blockages and pick up any debris that may have formed there. You then allow the liquid to seep out, taking any nasties with it, and cleaning up the mess.

This is the most effective type of cleaner for getting deep into your dog’s ears, but the cleaning process with liquids can also be pretty messy. There is also the challenge of keeping your dog still and calm for the time required for cleaning.

Wipes

Wipes look very much like baby wipes, but are made of super-soft cotton so that they will not damage the inner walls of your dog’s ears. You use them by simply wiping over the external parts of the ear canal to remove any problems.

While wipes are quick and easy to use and don’t result in a messy cleanup, they aren’t as effective as liquids, as they cannot penetrate as deeply into the ear. These are a better solution for dogs that don’t have particular problems with their ears and just need a bit of freshening up.

Ingredients

Dog ear cleaners will be made with a variety of different ingredients, all of which can be effective for breaking up wax and removing grime. One of the most common ingredients is salicylic acid which is safe and effective. A variety of natural ingredients are also effective, such as peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil. More advanced solutions are also now using bio-active enzymes to clean and kill bacteria and fungi.

While all these ingredients are safe and effective, there are a few things that you don’t want to see in your dog ear cleaner:

• Hydrogen peroxide. This stuff will certainly kill bacteria, but it will probably also kill everything else it encounters in the ears, including the good cells that your dog has produced to fight off infection. If used when the eardrum is ruptured, which can often be the case with ear infections, it can also do permanent damage to your dog’s hearing. It can also be painful to your dog during the cleaning process.
• Alcohol. While a lot of dog ear cleaning products still contain alcohol, it is best avoided. Like hydrogen peroxide, it can do serious and permanent damage to your dog’s hearing if their eardrum is ruptured. It is also not particularly effective at breaking through wax, and so it does little to make ear cleaning more effective.

Other Considerations

When choosing a dog ear cleaner, there are also a few other things to consider.

Treatment Or Cleaner

While most cleaners are designed to be preventative, making the ear the kind of clean and dry space in which bacteria won’t thrive, some ear cleaners can also be used to treat some kinds of ear infections. Treatment cleaners tend to be harsher and should not be used regularly with dogs that have sensitive ears. However, for dogs that are prone to ear infections, a cleaner that can also treat the issue is both more effective and more convenient.

Fragrance

Dog ears that are infected or just have a bit of wax buildup can smell pretty bad. A good ear cleaner should deodorize. To achieve this, dog ear cleaners will often leave behind a light fragrance. 

While this might appeal to you, it may or may not appeal to your dog. Many dogs don’t like to be followed around by a lingering scent. Remember that just as dogs have sensitive ears, they also have sensitive noses. According to vet Dr Ernie Ward:

… a tiny trace to use is like an elephant-sized funk to some animals… I even train my staff not to wear perfumes or scented deodorants to avoid upsetting my pet patients.

Whether or not your dog will tolerate a scented ear cleaner depends on them.

Drying

Many dog ear cleaners will tell you that they don’t just cleanse, but they also dry. This can be important, especially for dogs with floppy ears that can close the ear canal, trapping moisture. 

This creates the kind of dark and moist environment that bacteria and fungi love, and increases the chances of your dog developing another infection. A drying formula will ensure against this. However, dry ears can also be itchy. For this reason, many formulas add ingredients such as aloe vera to soothe and hydrate.

How To Clean Dog Ears

For a thorough guide on how to clean your dog’s ears, check out this video from AnimalCareTV.

Here are a few top tips for when it comes to cleaning dogs’ ears:

• Make sure your dog is in a comfortable position in which you can control him. You can try using calming supplements if they struggle with ear cleaning.
• Be gentle when lifting the ear flap to expose the canal.
• Never insert the nozzle of the liquid bottle or any other object too deeply into your dog’s ear.
• Once you have inserted the liquid, massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds to let the liquid distribute itself and break up any debris.
• Make sure you remove all solution and debris thoroughly as part of the cleaning process, leaving the ear area completely dry.
• Let your dog shake its head after the treatment, and then check the ear again for anything else that he may have shaken loose in the process.
• Reward your dog for its good behavior after the ear cleaning process is complete.

FAQs

What is the brown or black stuff in my dog’s ears?

This is normally excessive earwax that may have taken on this color due to the presence of fungi. If it is also giving off a pungent, musty odor, your dog has a fungal or yeast infection in the ear. This is often caused by excess moisture in the ear and warrants a trip to the vet.

How often should you clean your dog’s ears?

Well, this depends on the type of your dog and its lifestyle. Generally speaking, cleaning your dog’s ear once a month as a part of their grooming routine, should do the job. Yet, for example, dogs that swim often, or certain breeds with a higher risk of ear infections, should have their ears cleaned more frequently (please consult your vet in such cases, since it is extremely important to avoid overcleaning, which could lead to dryness, irritation and other undesired side effects).

Will a dog’s ear infection go away on its own?

While dog ear infections can heal on their own, this can take around six weeks which is a long time for your dog to be suffering. These can be dealt with much more rapidly with treatments provided by your vet.

Is a dog ear infection an emergency?

A dog ear infection is only an emergency if your pet is in pain. Key signs are that the ear is red and swollen, and they will not let you touch the ear. If your dog is constantly tilting their head or has lost their sense of balance, then this is also an emergency.

Are ear infections in dogs painful?

Ear infections are certainly uncomfortable for dogs, and when they are severe, they can also be painful. They can also cause additional pain by excessive scratching at the ear. In this way, they can break blood cells, causing a painful swelling that may require surgical treatment.

The Verdict

Cleaning your dog’s ears should be a regular part of their health and grooming routine. Ears should be checked thoroughly on a weekly basis and then cleaned depending on the state of your dog’s ears. There are lots of different dog ear cleaners on the market that are effective at removing wax and debris and killing the bacteria and fungi that like to call dog ears home.

The best overall cleaner on the market that can also be used as a treatment is the Zymox Treatment solution, but this stuff is so good that it is also understandably expensive. A highly-effective but more affordable alternative is produced by Virbac. This is another strong cleaner that can be a little too strong for dogs with sensitive ears.

If you are looking for something a bit milder to keep your dog’s ears clean, then Zymox also makes a cleaner that should be mild enough to use with most dogs. For those interested in something that is all-natural and uses ingredients with names you actually recognize, then try the Burt’s Bees cleaner. If your dog has pretty clean ears, and you are just looking for a quick and easy way to freshen them up, then consider some cleaning wipes from Pet MD.