Ear problems are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet — and many are preventable with a simple weekly routine. Learn which dogs need ear cleaning most, how to clean ears safely without pushing debris deeper, the signs of an infection you should never clean over, and how to keep floppy-eared breeds healthy.
Quick Answer
Clean your dog's ears weekly using a vet-approved ear cleaner and cotton balls — never cotton swabs. If the ear is red, painful or smelly, see the vet instead of cleaning over an infection.
Persistent or concerning symptoms — repeated vomiting, lethargy, appetite loss or distress — should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Dogs with floppy ears — like bassets, spaniels and retrievers — trap moisture and air, making them prone to infections. Dogs that swim, dogs with allergies, and hairy-eared breeds also benefit from regular checks.
Ears that stand upright and stay dry often need little more than a weekly look. The routine matters most for the ears that stay warm, dark and damp — the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria.
Dog Fact
Long, heavy ear flaps reduce airflow and trap moisture — a major reason ear infections are so common in floppy-eared breeds. Weekly cleaning and drying break the cycle.
Use a veterinary-approved ear cleaner, fill the ear canal gently, massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds, then let your dog shake its head — the shaking flings loosened debris outward. Wipe the visible inner ear with a cotton ball. Never use cotton swabs, which push wax and debris deeper and can injure the ear.
Keep the ears dry after swimming and baths — a cotton ball in the ear during baths helps, and towel-dry the ear flaps afterward.
Weekly ear care
A healthy ear is pale pink, odor-free and clean. Redness, swelling, a bad smell, dark discharge, head shaking, scratching, or pain when touched are signs of infection or injury — and cleaning over an infected ear makes it worse and delays treatment.
Take your dog to the vet for a proper examination. Most ear infections need specific medication, and the underlying cause — often allergies — needs addressing too, or the infections keep returning.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
Red, swollen, painful or smelly ears, dark discharge, or persistent head shaking and scratching should be examined by a veterinarian — do not keep cleaning over an infection.
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How to clean your dog's ears
www.akc.orgEar cleaning in dogs
vcahospitals.comDollSun Editorial Team
Editorial Team
The DollSun editorial team writes and reviews practical, family-friendly dog knowledge — breeds, behavior, care, training and health — with a focus on honest, approachable guidance.
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