How to Care for Your Dog’s Ears Without Overdoing It

Floppy, upright, oversized or wonderfully mismatched—dogs’ ears are part of what makes them so expressive.

They also deserve a regular check. But caring for them does not mean cleaning them every day. For dogs with healthy ears, unnecessary cleaning can cause irritation.

Start by looking

Choose a calm moment to gently lift your dog’s ear flap and look at the visible skin.

Watch for redness, unusual discharge, an unpleasant smell or signs that touching the ear feels uncomfortable. Frequent scratching and head shaking also deserve attention. These changes can indicate an ear problem that needs veterinary advice.

A quick check is useful even when no cleaning is needed.

Clean only when appropriate

Dogs’ needs vary. Some may need a veterinarian-recommended maintenance routine, while others rarely need their ears cleaned.

If the ears look healthy but have a little surface dirt, use a product intended for dogs and follow its directions. Keep gentle wiping to the visible areas specified on the label. Never push a wipe or cotton swab down into the ear canal.

Cotton swabs can push debris deeper and injure the ear. If your veterinarian recommends cleaning inside the canal, ask them to demonstrate the correct technique and recommend a suitable cleaner.

Keep it calm and comfortable

Have everything ready before you begin, work gently and reward your dog afterward.

If your dog becomes distressed or appears to be in pain, stop. Ear care should never involve wrestling your dog into position or scrubbing until the ear looks spotless.

Know when a wipe is not enough

Redness, pain, discharge, odor or repeated head shaking should prompt a call to your veterinarian. Cleaning products cannot tell you whether the cause is an infection, an allergy or something else.

If an ear looks inflamed or feels painful, seek advice before cleaning it.

Hamish & Boyo Ear Wipes offer an option for routine surface cleaning when appropriate. Always follow the label directions and your veterinarian’s advice.

A little attention, a gentle approach and knowing when to ask for help—that is a good foundation for ear care.