best Ear Care for dogs
Updated December 2020
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
- As Good As It Gets
- Best On A Budget
Bottom Line
A vet-quality cleaner with a comprehensive formula that cleans and deodorizes while softening the skin.
This general-purpose ear cleaner helps remove debris without drying the ears.
Made from natural ingredients, this cleaning kit offers a coordinated treatment that cleans and soothes raw and itchy ears.
This advanced ear cleaner prevents bacteria from sticking around and is recommended to treat chronic inflammation of the external ear canal.
Formulated by vets, this ear cleaner offers relief from itching due to infection while cleaning your dog’s ear of wax, dirt, and other buildups.
Pros
Has aloe vera to soften the skin.
Very gentle formula.
Cleans effectively. Prevents infections.
Good price.
Can provide relief to itchy ears.
Effective debris removal.
Inexpensive.
Doesn’t contain alcohol.
Can be used daily.
Contains natural ingredients.
Effective infection relief.
Great value.
Anti-adhesive properties prevent bacteria from sticking to the ear canal.
Works with other ear preparation.
Treats various infections.
Non-irritating.
Effective cleaning properties.
Great scent.
Prevents ear infections.
Good price.
Cons
Scent too strong for some.
Can’t be used for infected ears.
Scent not for everyone.
Small bottles are not enough for large breeds.
Overwhelming scent.
Changed from previous formula.
Poor packaging – bottles get damaged easily.
- As Good As It Gets
Vetoquinol Ear Cleansing Solution for Dogs and Cats
Bottom Line
A vet-quality cleaner with a comprehensive formula that cleans and deodorizes while softening the skin.
Pros
Has aloe vera to soften the skin.
Very gentle formula.
Cleans effectively. Prevents infections.
Good price.
Cons
Scent too strong for some.
- Best On A Budget
Dechra EpiKlean Ear Cleanser (8 Oz)
Bottom Line
This general-purpose ear cleaner helps remove debris without drying the ears.
Pros
Can provide relief to itchy ears.
Effective debris removal.
Inexpensive.
Cons
Can’t be used for infected ears.
Vet's Best Dog Ear Cleaner Kit | Multi-Symptom Ear Relief | Wash & Dry Treatment
Bottom Line
Made from natural ingredients, this cleaning kit offers a coordinated treatment that cleans and soothes raw and itchy ears.
Pros
Doesn’t contain alcohol.
Can be used daily.
Contains natural ingredients.
Effective infection relief.
Great value.
Cons
Scent not for everyone.
Small bottles are not enough for large breeds.
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser For Dogs and Cats
Bottom Line
This advanced ear cleaner prevents bacteria from sticking around and is recommended to treat chronic inflammation of the external ear canal.
Pros
Anti-adhesive properties prevent bacteria from sticking to the ear canal.
Works with other ear preparation.
Treats various infections.
Non-irritating.
Cons
Overwhelming scent.
Changed from previous formula.
Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse for Dogs | Cleans & Deodorizes
Bottom Line
Formulated by vets, this ear cleaner offers relief from itching due to infection while cleaning your dog’s ear of wax, dirt, and other buildups.
Pros
Effective cleaning properties.
Great scent.
Prevents ear infections.
Good price.
Cons
Poor packaging – bottles get damaged easily.
How We Decided
Choosing the best ear cleaner required the MDWT team to search for reviews online and test the products to determine how effective these products are. Here’s how we decided:
23
Models Considered
8
Hours Researched
1
Experts Interviewed
5
Consumer Consulted
Buying Guide For The Best Ear Cleaners for Dogs
Dogs’ ears require regular cleaning more than humans do. This is because their ears have deep canals and crevices that are perfect homes for parasites, yeasts, and bacteria. This can lead to infection, irritation, itchiness, and a bad-smelling ear. Using an effective ear cleaner prevents these infections and should be a part of a good hygiene regimen.
Choosing the best ear cleaner depends on the current condition of your dog’s ears. If you need it for general and routine cleaning, a gentle ear cleaner will suffice. These products will help remove wax, debris, and dirt.
However, if your dog has an ear infection, you’ll need to get a cleaner with disinfecting properties to relieve infections on top of cleaning the ears.
Whichever you need, it’s important to look at the active ingredients the cleaner has. Some ingredients are more effective in treating certain infections than others. But don’t go choosing by yourself. Consulting with your vet is a must, especially if your dog has a serious ear infection that might require medical intervention.
Buying Guide For The Best Ear Cleaners for Dogs
Dogs’ ears require regular cleaning more than humans do. This is because their ears have deep canals and crevices that are perfect homes for parasites, yeasts, and bacteria. This can lead to infection, irritation, itchiness, and a bad-smelling ear. Using an effective ear cleaner prevents these infections and should be a part of a good hygiene regimen.
Choosing the best ear cleaner depends on the current condition of your dog’s ears. If you need it for general and routine cleaning, a gentle ear cleaner will suffice. These products will help remove wax, debris, and dirt.
However, if your dog has an ear infection, you’ll need to get a cleaner with disinfecting properties to relieve infections on top of cleaning the ears.
Whichever you need, it’s important to look at the active ingredients the cleaner has. Some ingredients are more effective in treating certain infections than others. But don’t go choosing by yourself. Consulting with your vet is a must, especially if your dog has a serious ear infection that might require medical intervention.
Key Considerations
Caution
Don’t try to clean your dog’s ears by yourself if they’re being feisty about it. Forcing the issue can lead to an injured ear canal. Get the help of another person if needed.
Ear Care Features
Ear cleaners have different features that can make a whole lot of difference to pet parents.
First is the form. Not all cleaners are liquid solutions, there are cleaners in the form of wipes. However, they have different purposes. Wipes are only used for routine surface cleaning and not to treat infections. You can use both depending on your dog’s ear situation.
The second is the active ingredients. Every ear cleaner should be effective in cleaning and treating certain conditions. Some have natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin for regular cleaning, while some have more active ingredients to take care of infections. Make sure you check these active ingredients and ask your vet if you’re not sure how these ingredients will affect your dog.
A third feature is a scent. Many products are scented to remove any foul-smelling odor due to bacteria or yeast. This makes your dog smell clean and fresh.
The last feature is the naturally soothing ingredients. For inflamed or sore ears, products that contain natural ingredients like aloe vera or green tea help soothe the inflammation, keeping your dog comfortable and clean.
Expert Tip
Reward your dog after every ear cleaning session. This gives a positive association to ear cleaning, encouraging them to participate and behave accordingly in future sessions.
Ear Cleaner for Dogs Prices
Ear cleaners are generally inexpensive. What’s expensive is the treatment your dog will need if you don’t have their ears cleaned regularly or clean their ears the wrong way.
If you’re not sure how to clean your dog’s ears, make sure to ask for help from your vet. This ensures you’re cleaning their ears properly and won’t cause any damage to their ear canals.
Don’t ignore the warning signs of ear infections, address these health issues immediately to avoid larger expenses on medication in the future.
Tips
Ear cleaning is a necessary part of your dog’s hygiene routine. Here are some tips to make it more effective for you and your pet:
- Use the product as instructed. Don’t try to overdo it with hopes of flushing out all the dirt from their ears.
- Always clean their ears in a well-lighted area. Doing it in the dark will give you a hard time since a dog’s ear canals run deep and will bring more harm than good if not done correctly.
- If you have a small breed, it’s easier to clean their ears as they lay down on your lap. It will be easier to have them lie on the floor while you clean their ears.
- If you’re struggling with cleaning ears, don’t force it. You can choose to go to groomers or professionals to do the job for you.
- Some breeds are more prone to ear infections than others. Dogs that have floppy ears with plenty of hair in their ear canals need to be groomed more often to ensure their ears are kept clean.
other products we Considered
If our picks of the best ear cleaners have fallen into deaf ears, here are more products that didn’t make the list but are still very effective:
Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone: With this product, you no longer need to pre-clean painful ears. It’s easy to use and offers a gentle no-sting solution.
Vet Organics EcoEars Natural Ear Cleaner for Dogs: This uses all-natural ingredients to effectively clean your dog’s ears.
FAQ's
How do I know which ingredients are safe for dogs?
You need to consult with your vet to determine which ingredients are completely safe for your dog. If your dog has sensitive skin, it’s imperative to gentle solutions that won’t irritate your pet’s skin even further.
Are liquid dog ear cleaners better than wipes?
It depends on your dog’s current conditions. If they don’t have any ear infections, an ear cleaning wipe will be good enough to keep them clean. However, excess wax, redness, and other discharge will require a liquid cleaner.
How often should my dog’s ears be cleaned?
You can clean your dog’s ears whenever you bathe them. If they don’t have any ear issues, using wipes or just a general cleaning solution will do. But if there are infections present, the frequency will be determined by your vet.
The Team That WOrked on This Review
Nitin Gupta
Chief Content Officer
JJ Resnick
Director of Growth
Erik Adler
Editorial Director