Best Dog Ear Care in 2022

Last update: December 13, 2022

Can a dog's ear infection clear up on its own?

While dog's ear infections can sometimes clear up on their own, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian to be sure. Ear infections can be caused by a number of things including allergies, bacteria, yeast, and even foreign bodies in the ear canal. A vet will be able to determine the cause of the infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Can I clean my dog's ear with soap and water?

Yes, you can clean your dog's ear with soap and water. Make sure to use a mild soap and avoid getting any water in the ear canal. You can also use a cotton ball or pad to gently wipe the inside of the ear.

Can I use baby wipes to clean my dog's ears?

Yes, you can use baby wipes to clean your dog's ears. Just be sure to use a gentle wipes and to not get any water in the ear canal.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my dog's ears?

Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog's ears. Just make sure to use a 3% solution and to use a cotton ball or Q-tip to apply it to the inside of the ear.


Curaseb Chlorhexidine Wipes – 50 Pads, For Dogs & Cats – Antifungal, Antibacterial & Anti Yeast – Treats Ringworm, Pyoderma, Acne & Hot Spots – Broad Spectrum Veterinary Formula Review:


FINALLY! A product that is effective! Under his chin, my dog has bad dog acne. He would pop something and start bleeding if you scratched beneath his chin or if you bumped his chin. It was usually contaminated. I tried everything, including peroxide, cleansing wipes, Neosporin, and witch hazel, and I was about to give up and take him to the veterinarian. This was one of the products mentioned in a Facebook article that listed essentials for dog owners to keep on hand. I placed my order very reluctantly, believing that it would be another waste of money. However, it DOES WORK. It has a lovely smell, so neither you nor your dog will find it offensive. It is packaged in little pads to prevent overuse and unnecessary waste. I was worried that the contents would sting or hurt him, but he didn't seem to care. In fact, after the initial application, he let me wipe without complaining because he knew it was helping and providing him with relief. There were visible evidence of clearing up after just one day. Instead of using it twice daily, I only used it once, and after 5 days his chin was entirely clear. This product lives up to all of its promises. Has to be! I wish I had taken "before and after" photos!



ZYMOX Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone Review:


My darling Sophie, who is now two years old, has had persistent yeast infections in her ears since we first brought her home as a puppy. These infections later migrated to her paws (due to the itching). We have tried EVERYTHING, including novel foods, drugs (drops, injections, and pills), and cleaning solutions. And they were all successful for a few days to a few weeks before she began to fall apart again. I thought I was the worst dog owner ever!I finally searched "dog ear yeast infection" on Amazon out of desperation, and lo and behold, Zymox comes up! Right now, I'm a little bit of a review nut... I read through them all, and to be really honest, I almost didn't test Zymox because of my skepticism over the overwhelming number of favorable reviews (I know, it's ridiculous), especially given that this seems to contradict what our veterinarian was telling us. Are you serious when you say not to pre-wash the ear in the Zymox instructions? How can a dirty ear benefit my poor puppy? In my desperation, though, I determined that a few more "wasted" bucks (and a reduction in the amount of fighting over ear cleaning) wouldn't hurt and that we had exhausted all other options.I'M SO HAPPY I TRADED IN ZYMOX! The first few days we really didn't notice anything, but I wasn't ready to give up hope, so I followed the instructions and medicated her ear every day for two weeks. She stopped itching frequently after around day 4, and the inside of her ears stopped being really red. I had never seen her this enthusiastic for ear drops, but after day 7, her ears were a healthy pink color, and she was physically racing over to have the Zymox put into her ears. That told me right then that it must be working!By day 14, her ears were a healthy pink color, they no longer smelled like "dead fish" (a smell caused by the yeast infections, which I never thought would go away), and she had stopped chewing and licking her paws unceasingly, which was caused by the yeast infection spreading to them from itching her ears.Since I started using this product more than a year ago, I have only needed to use it once a month (or less) and for a short period of time at a time. I use it when I feel her ears beginning to turn somewhat red, and I only use it until they return to normal. The product is so great that she now recognizes the bottle and still runs over to have her "drops" put in. I cannot express how much I love it. Give this a try if your pet has been dealing with yeast infections; chances are good that it will help you as well.



Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner, 8 oz Review:


It's been wonderful using this ear cleansing solution. My tiny English bulldog, who you can see in this shot, has the biggest, floppiest ears you've ever seen on a bully, which naturally results in continually dirty ears. I was using Zymox before this medication, which appeared to be working but required a lot of effort from me to dig and remove the wax. She continued to suffer ear infections despite regular cleaning with that solution, so I took her to the veterinarian. My veterinarian suggested Virbac because, according to her, it becomes more "sudsy" and thoroughly cleans the canal. She suggested repeating it twice or three times a day, letting her shake it out on her own between each time, and then digging it out with cotton balls or q-tips. Downgrade from there once her ears are entirely clear. Oh no, I can hardly hold her down once, much less twice or three times! I tried it out as soon as it arrived in the mail, and WOW. Since my bully didn't flee from me but rather laid down and allowed me to pour this solution into her ears, it must be doing something well just based on that! I was horrified when she shook her head for the first time and SO MUCH CRAP came out. She now has the cleanest ears I've ever seen on her, and I only started doing this a week ago after following my vet's instructions. Is there a smell? Yes, but it's not terrible, and when it comes to what's best for my dog, washing her ears with this item works the best. Since it will decrease ear infections and the need for prescription ear cleaners, drops, and medications, I am overjoyed to have learned about this.



Zymox Plus Otic-HC Advanced Formula (1.25 oz) Review:


Since we adopted our German Shepherd rescue three years ago, I've been suffering persistent ear infections. Nothing is working, it seems! No changes to the diet, allergy medications, antibiotics, etc.After a few fruitless tries at home remedies, I finally stopped taking her to the vet every two months and chose to try this. This is effective! I really can't emphasize this enough! Even during the 14-day treatment, I skipped a few days, and I let it "simmer" (lol) for a few days after the 14 Days were up. After everything was said and done, I was only anticipating to have to wipe a ton of muck out of her ears. Holy sh*t! Nearly nothing! Even after two weeks of not cleaning and not even cleaning beforehand, there was hardly anything in there. It advises against cleaning ears before treatment, however at the time we were dealing with a severe ear infection, so there was a ton of debris and nasty stuff in her ears. When I cleaned her ears after the treatment, it practically dissolved everything, and I was shocked. I found it hard to believe. I couldn't believe it, so I FaceTimed my spouse and told him about it. There may be a cure for persistent ear infections! Wish us luck as I intend to use this as a preventative once a month or something!



Zymox Ear Solution with 0.5-Percent Hydrocortisone, 1.25-Ounce Review:


My Boston Terrier had ear infections, so I had to spend several hundred dollars getting him to the vet. His ears become extremely itchy and red, smell awful, and discharge a waxy brown substance. He rubs his ears till they bleed. He physically yelled in anguish whenever somebody touched him close to his ears because it was so bad.The vet gave us some antibiotic drops during this time, but they had no effect. We returned and received more medication, which seemed to help for about a week before the issue reappeared. Out of desperation, I chose to conduct my own research. After reading the positive reviews for this product on Amazon, I chose to give it a try.After three days of daily drops, his ears were back to normal. I kept applying for three more days, trying to get rid of any leftover bad guys. That was roughly a month ago, and everything have gone well thus far. No more unclean ears.I should clarify that my dog must eat grain-free food because he has a grain intolerance. And I eat grain, so I'm not one of those individuals that thinks it's bad. It took us months to realize that the grain-based meal was the root of his red, inflamed, and scratchy skin, which was so terrible it was practically constant. The meal without grains resolved the skin issues but not the ear issues.This medication is worthwhile to try if your dog is experiencing similar problems. Additionally, it is less expensive than a vet visit fee.



VetWELL Dog Ear Wipes - Otic Cleaning Wipes for Infections and Controlling Yeast, Mites and Odor in Pets - EarWELL 100 Count Review:


The dog ear cleansing wipes from EarWell are excellent. My tracie dog, who is 8 months old, enjoys rough play and gets rather muddy. These wipes are a quick, simple, and effective approach to effectively clean your dog's ears. It gives my dog's ears a clean, fresh scent, which is a welcome change. This product is simple to use and requires no additional cotton balls or swabs because they are pre-moistened pads. These let you to delicately clean your dog's ears' outer flap. I particularly appreciate how simple it is to tightly close the jar, which preserves the product's freshness and readiness for use at a later time. If you're seeking for a quick and simple way to gently keep your pet's years clean and avoid dirt accumulation and illness, I can't suggest this product enough.



EcoEars | Natural Dog Ear Cleaner - Infection Formula for Itch, Head Shaking, Discharge & Smell. Multi-Symptom Ear Treatment Cleans Away Most Dog Ear Problems.No Chemicals or Drugs-100% Guaranteed Review:


One of my dogs has endured recurrent ear infections her entire life. I've tried the lengthy gamut of purchasing every greasy, pricey, dirty Rx prescribed by veterinarians for seven years without finding ANY long-term relief. Even having the dog's ears irrigated at the vet under anaesthesia did not help. One ear consistently developed a yeast infection. Finally, THIS EcoEars product got rid of it.With this product, I've had nothing but amazing outcomes. This truly removes earwax like NO OTHER product I've ever used! That is the first action to taking care of a persistent, protracted ear infection. No matter what you do, the infection won't go away unless the sludge and debris are removed from the ear.1. I would NOT apply this on the outside raw portions of your dog's ears AT FIRST if they are raw and inflamed from scratching. Vaseline or a small amount of triple antibiotic cream would be used to the EXTERIOR outside raw areas to calm them. AFTER that, put this item inside your ears. When the itching ends after a few days, I would rinse the vaseline out of the ear with a warm, damp paper towel, pat it dry, and then dab EcoEars all over the inside flap and down into the ear. (I could feel it burn as I applied it, and I had a fresh scratch on my hand. By doing this, the dog is spared from more suffering.)2. To maintain the product within the ear as long as possible, GENTLY massage it. After that, allow her to shake her ears freely by inserting a large cotton ball into the ear canal entrance (DO NOT force the cotton down too far). If you can, I suggest practicing this outside! Some of the mess will be captured by the cotton ball. When your dog has completed shaking, gently dab any loose debris that has come out. At this time, make sure the cotton balls are out of the ears by checking them.3. I advise moving to ZYMOX OTIC HC 1.0% for a couple of weeks after a few days or possibly even a week or two, depending on the severity of the infection OR once the ear is clean and you can't smell that yeasty stench. The pH will be balanced by the Zymox Otic product, allowing the enzymes to work on the now-clean ear. It is a mild, oily product.4. CONTINUE as required. You will need to be alert and follow these instructions repeatedly if your dog has chronic, recurrent ear infections until the ears are clean and healthy once more. I am aware of how difficult it is. I usually stop as soon as the dog is relieved. In order to continually be reminded to maintain it, I now leave the two products out on a table with a large bag of cotton balls. (Make careful to get 100% cotton balls; avoid "cosmetic cotton balls," which frequently contain synthetic additives that can aggravate the ears even more.I will never be without this ZYMOX OTIC HC 1.0% and EcoEars Dog Cleaner as long as I have dogs. I cannot stress how highly I regard THEM BOTH. They successfully treated the seven-year ear infection together!



VetWELL Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner - Otic Rinse for Infections and Controlling Yeast, Mites and Odor in Pets - 8 oz Review:


I recently took home a cute cat from our neighborhood shelter. She had terribly filthy ears when she got home. I treated/cleaned her ears every day with what I bought from the vet's office because she might have had mites. She was getting worse rather than better, and both of her ears eventually became infected. I decided that EarWell would be my final resort before bringing her to the doctor for a pricey exam and medication after reading reviews about it. THE BEST ACTION EVER TAKEN! She has been using EarWell to clean her ears as directed for two days, and I have already noticed a significant improvement! Her poor ears looked awful. When she initially cleaned her ears, it seemed as though the sludge would never stop coming out. She sat like a saint for me during every cleaning after that, so she must have felt better after the first one. Can't wait to see the outcomes of her cleanings after a week. The one thing I wish I had done differently is to have taken images of her ears before applying this on her. But based on where she is now on day two—from crusty, dark wax gunk up the wahzoo and sore ears—I am quite certain she will feel much better soon thanks to this incredible treatment. I appreciate Vetwell. Furthermore, the consumer was not compensated to write this review. Just wanted to share the good news in case it aids others who are considering purchasing this for their furry friend.



Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder (30 Grams) Review:


For my dog, this product worked incredibly nicely. I first observed my dog jerking his head and scratching his ear till it was red a few months ago. His ear was wet, raw, and highly odorous after I attempted a vinegar peroxide flush on it. A lot of wax was cleaned out as well. I continued to give him this type of flush every two or three days, but his ear did not get any better. After reading about this product, I made the decision to try it. I bought this item, which combines a dog ear powder and a dry ear ointment. After the first therapy, I saw progress. To this day, I still have to put the dog's cone collar on to stop him from excessively scratching his ear. After a few months, I no longer need to use the three products more than once a week. The wash cleaner, dry lotion, and powder are used after flushing his ears many times with diluted warm water and vinegar applied with a plastic bulb tip applicator. I'm delighted to report that both of his ears look good and healthy, don't flush out a lot of wax, and don't smell bad. The dog is content, and I think this combination has healed his ears without incurring the cost of a visit to the vet. I'm quite happy with this purchase. For my dog, it worked well and never made his ears hurt. Additionally, the product(s) have a pleasant clove scent. Highly suggested.



Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz. Review:


I'll only ever use this brand of items! Four years ago, I adopted a German Shepherd from a shelter. She had an ear infection when we first acquired her, so we took care of it. After spending $250 at the vet, it returned. For the following three and a half years, we battled persistent illnesses. Never more than two to three months passed before they returned. We ran out of options so we began using natural medicines at home. Yet nothing was successful! We decided to give Zymox goods a try because we believed it would save us money. The Zymox Advanced Otic Plus solution was the strongest one we could find, so we decided to purchase it. 4 weeks straight were spent in therapy. For chronic infections, a recommendation of 7 days or 14 days is made. Considering how long we've been battling infections, we chose to treat more aggressively. Following the procedure, we let the ears rest for three to four days before ordering the Zymox Ear Cleaner. The ears have never looked so clean after all of our cleaning! Her ears are typically dark and discolored from infections and scratching, but they are now lovely and pink and appear normal. Since around two weeks ago, we've been using the ear cleaner every day, but thus far, only a small amount of waxy material has ever come out. I was genuinely shocked that her ears were still clean when we started back after I had been gone for a few days. I was at my wits' end and didn't have another $2000 to spend on additional ear treatments at the vet. Between the two bottles of Otic Plus solution and the two bottles of ear cleaner, I spent roughly $100. The best $100 I ever spent on a puppy! Give this a try if your dog has suffered like mine has!! I'm just an overjoyed mother who wants to share our experience; I'm not being compensated to write this review.


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

Yes, you can use salt water to clean your dog's ears. Just make sure to use a very dilute solution, as salt water can be irritating to the skin.

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

Yes, you can use vinegar to clean your dog's ears. Just mix equal parts vinegar and water, and use a cotton ball to wipe the inside of your dog's ears.

Can you cure a dog's ear infection at home?

There are a number of home remedies that can be used to treat a dog's ear infection. These include using a warm compress to soothe the pain, using a cotton ball soaked in vinegar to clean the ear, and using a solution of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide to flush the ear. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before using any home remedy, as some home remedies may actually worsen the infection.

How can I treat my dog's ear infection without going to the vet?

If your dog has an ear infection, you may be able to treat it at home without going to the vet. The first step is to clean your dog's ears with a gentle, dog-safe ear cleaner. You can then apply a dog-safe, anti-inflammatory ear drop to help relieve pain and swelling. If your dog's ear infection does not improve after a few days of home treatment, or if your dog is in pain, you should take them to the vet.

How do I take care of my dogs ears?

To clean your dog's ears, you will need: - A dog-safe ear cleaner - A cotton ball or soft cloth - A treat Step 1: Lift your dog's ear up and look inside. If you see any dirt or wax, proceed to step 2. If the ear looks clean, give your dog a treat and move on to another grooming task. Step 2: Squeeze a small amount of ear cleaner onto the cotton ball or cloth. Step 3: Gently wipe the inside of your dog's ear, being careful

How do you get brown gunk out of a dog's ear?

There are a few ways to remove brown gunk from a dog's ear. One way is to use a cotton ball soaked in warm water and gently wipe the inside of the ear. Another way is to use a syringe to flush the ear with warm water. If the gunk is difficult to remove, you may need to use a ear cleaner specifically designed for dogs.