How to Clean Your Dog's Ears

The ASPCA's advice on how to clean dog ears: if the inner ear looks dirty, fold the flap back and gently wipe away the wax and debris you can see, using a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaner. Lift the dirt away rather than rubbing it in.

The ASPCA warns never to insert anything into the ear canal, because probing can cause trauma or infection. Merck advises against cotton swabs for the same reason: they push debris deeper.

Here's what the sources say about when ears need cleaning, how to do it, and the signs that mean a vet visit.

Do dogs' ears even need cleaning?

The ASPCA recommends regular ear checks as part of grooming, especially for dogs who make a lot of earwax or have a lot of hair inside their ears. It advises cleaning when the inner ear looks dirty.

Here's the part that surprises most people. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that the skin lining the eardrum and ear canal slowly migrates, and that this movement provides a natural cleaning mechanism.

Researchers can measure it. In a small 2026 study, vets placed a dot of ink on the eardrums of three healthy dogs and tracked it. It moved 126 micrometers a day, about an eighth of a millimeter by our conversion.

Merck lists overcleaning among the causes of ear canal inflammation, and the ASPCA warns against cleaning so often or so deeply that it causes irritation.

If your vet has asked you to clean your dog's ears on a schedule, follow their plan. Merck notes vet-directed cleaning often starts daily and drops to once or twice a week.

Why are dog ears so easy to get wrong?

The ASPCA explains that a dog's ear canal plunges downward from the opening, then runs horizontally. That makes it hard for trapped debris or water to get out, which the ASPCA says makes dogs especially susceptible to ear infections.

Merck notes that the dog ear canal is much longer than a human's, which is part of why dogs hear higher pitches. It says dogs hear about four times better than people, on average.

The ASPCA calls the skin inside the ear delicate and suggests asking your vet to show you the right technique before you start.

Floppy ears and allergies need a closer eye

The ASPCA says dogs with allergies are particularly vulnerable to ear complications, as are floppy-eared breeds such as Cocker spaniels, Basset Hounds and Poodles.

A UK study of 22,333 dogs seen by vets found that 7.3% were diagnosed with ear canal inflammation (otitis externa) in a single year, roughly 1 in 14 by our arithmetic.

Breeds with pendulous ears had 1.76 times the odds, and V-shaped drop ears 1.84 times the odds, of breeds with upright ears. Basset Hounds had 5.87 times the odds of crossbred dogs.

The study's authors advocate a cautious, low-harm approach to ear care, including avoiding overzealous cleaning.

How to clean dog ears, step by step

Merck specifies real cotton balls, not polyester or other synthetics, and a cleaner your vet recommends. It advises avoiding over-the-counter wax removers unless your vet approves.

The ASPCA lists mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or a liquid ear cleaner made for the purpose. Because Merck points to a vet-recommended cleaner, ask your vet which to use.

For a quick wipe

This is the ASPCA's method:

1. Dampen a cotton ball or a piece of gauze with ear cleaner.
2. Gently fold the ear flap back.
3. Wipe away the debris and wax you can see on the underside of the flap.
4. Lift the dirt away rather than rubbing it into the ear.

For a fuller clean your vet has recommended

Merck describes this method for dogs whose vet wants the canal cleaned:

1. Put enough cleaner in the ear to fill the canal.
2. Gently massage the base of the ear until you hear the solution squish.
3. Hold the base of the ear and lift the flap up and away from the head.
4. Roll a cotton ball into a small tube and rest it gently in the canal opening.
5. Massage the base of the ear again, so the cotton soaks up the liquid and loosened debris.

Merck notes that many dogs dislike cleaner squeezed straight into the ear and respond better to a soaked cotton ball placed at the canal opening. Ask your vet to show you before you try it.

What should I never put in my dog's ears?

• Cotton swabs. Merck says not to use them, or anything else that pushes debris deeper into the canal.
• Anything poked down the canal. The ASPCA warns that probing inside can cause trauma or infection.
• Home remedies such as vinegar mixtures. Merck warns they can irritate the ear and make swelling worse.
• Powders, including those sometimes used after plucking ear hair. Merck says they can form irritating clumps in the canal.

Merck also notes that products that are fine in healthy ears can irritate ears that are already inflamed. Ask your vet before cleaning an ear that looks red or sore.

On ear hair, Merck's professional manual calls plucking controversial. Its owner guide says trimming or plucking hair near the canal may help airflow in some dogs, and advises asking your vet first.

What about baths and swimming?

The ASPCA says frequent bathing or swimming can lead to ear irritation and infection. Merck advises keeping ear canals dry and well ventilated, and avoiding water in the ears during baths.

The ASPCA suggests placing cotton in your dog's ears before a bath and drying the ears thoroughly after water activities. Our guide to how often to bathe a dog covers the rest of bath day.

For dogs who swim often, Merck mentions a drying agent your vet suggests, used after swimming. The ASPCA suggests asking your vet about an ear-drying solution for dogs prone to ear infections.

For puppies, see how to bathe a puppy. For other grooming, see how to trim dog nails.

What should I watch for in my dog's ears?

Merck advises regular ear checks for changes in warmth, skin color or sudden moisture, and prompt vet attention when something changes.

Merck calls otitis externa one of the most common reasons dogs are brought to the vet, and says ear infections in dogs are most often caused by bacteria or yeast.

The ASPCA notes that brown or black wax, or dry, dark wax that looks like coffee grounds, is a classic sign of ear mites. It says only your vet can tell for sure, and asks owners not to delay a checkup.

The ASPCA says to see your vet as soon as possible if your dog has:

• ear scratching, head shaking or a head tilt
• a bad smell from the ear
• brown, yellow or bloody discharge
• redness, swelling, or crusted or scabby skin on the ear flap
• hair loss around the ear, or rubs the ear on the floor or furniture
• loss of balance, walking in circles, unusual eye movements or hearing loss

Merck adds painful or itchy ears to the list. It notes that vets usually clean and dry the ear before treating it, and that painful ears often need anesthesia to be cleaned properly, so ask your vet before cleaning an ear with these signs.

Questions new dog parents ask

How often should I clean my dog's ears?

The ASPCA advises regular checks and cleaning when the inner ear looks dirty, without cleaning so often that it causes irritation. If your vet sets a schedule, Merck notes it often starts daily and drops to once or twice a week.

Can I use water to clean my dog's ears?

Merck advises avoiding water in the ears during baths and using a cleaner your vet recommends. The ASPCA advises drying the ears thoroughly after water activities.

Can I use cotton swabs on my dog?

Merck advises against them because they push debris deeper into the canal. It recommends real cotton balls instead.

What is the brown stuff in my dog's ears?

The ASPCA says brown or black wax, or dry, dark wax like coffee grounds, is a classic sign of ear mites, and that only your vet can tell for sure.

Should I pluck the hair inside my dog's ears?

Merck calls plucking controversial and advises asking your vet before removing hair near the canal.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: How to Clean Your Dog's Ears
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Dog Owners: Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Dog Owners: Ear Structure and Function in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Otitis Externa in Animals
• ASPCA: Dog Grooming Tips (Ear Care)
• O'Neill DG, Volk AV, Soares T, et al. Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK: a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 2021
• Oh J, Bae S. Topical enrofloxacin solution delays tympanic membrane epithelial migration in healthy dogs. The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2026

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.