A Simple, Vet-Approved Dog Ear Cleaning Routine

Ear infections are consistently in the top three reasons dogs visit a vet, and floppy-eared breeds — cockers, basset hounds, golden retrievers — make up the bulk of those visits. The good news: a simple two-minute weekly routine prevents the vast majority.

What you actually need

• A vet-formulated ear cleaner (pH-balanced, no alcohol).
• Cotton pads or gauze squares — never cotton swabs inside the ear canal.
• A towel.

The routine

1. Lift the ear flap and fill the canal with cleaner until you see liquid at the opening.
2. Massage the base of the ear for 20–30 seconds. You should hear a squelching sound — that's normal and good.
3. Let your dog shake. This is the cleaner doing its job, lifting debris out of the canal.
4. Wipe the inside of the ear flap and the visible part of the canal with a cotton pad. Never push inward.

When to skip the cleaner and call the vet

Stop and call your vet if you see: dark brown discharge that looks like coffee grounds, a strong yeasty smell, swelling, head tilting, or your dog yelping when you touch the ear. These are signs of an active infection that cleaner alone won't fix.