Last Updated on September 13, 2023
Dog ears come in various forms and sizes, from floppy to sharp, massive to microscopic, and it’s crucial to maintain them healthy. Dog ear cleaners are one way to keep track of your dog’s ears, but there are a few things to remember when cleaning and caring for such a delicate part of its body.
Ear cleanings regularly can help some dogs avoid ear problems. However, not all cleaners are made equal, and extreme caution should be exercised when working in this delicate area. Before cleaning your dog’s ears, you should first see your veterinarian. If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning your dog’s ears, that’s fine; your veterinarian can assist you.
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Best Ear Cleaner For Dogs
This list contains a review of the best ear cleaners for dogs so you can buy a safe and quick action solution for your dogs. The items on this list have been tried, tested, and reviewed to ensure that you will not have any issues in the future.
Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash
This great-smelling ear flush for dogs is a smart, two-step approach for battling odor, irritation, wax build-up, and germs and is supposed to help lengthen the time between ear cleanings. Not only can you eradicate fungus and bacteria using natural substances like chamomile, clove oil, tea tree oil, and aloe vera, but you can also leave your ears feeling fantastic without the harsh chemical odors.
User Feedback
This mixture is alcohol-free, sting-free, and works quickly. Various reviews stated that many ailments, such as sores, itching, infections, muck, and smell, were fully cleansed or mostly healed after just one week. According to one customer, this cleaner not only cleans but also removes the itch in the dog’s ears. The dog’s ears have a great clove fragrance for days later due to the scent. It includes an easy-to-open and close twist top, which buyers say makes it easy to use.
Drip the solution into the ear canals and massage the ear base to work it in for each stage. The dry solution will dry to a powder to prevent excess moisture from building in the ear canals, leading to germs, yeast, and, as a result, a bad odor.
My verdict of the product:
The ear wash has a pleasant clove scent and, when used consistently, appears to keep the ears clean and free of infection. Make sure you get a dog ear cleaner that not only cleans but also helps with the itch.
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Pros
- Best for removing itch and effective cleaning
- Long-lasting scent
Cons
- None so far
TropiClean Alcohol-Free Ear Wash
This Tropiclean ear cleaning is made in the United States and is suitable for dogs and cats aged 12 weeks and above. 97.4 percent of the components are natural, including oat kernel and grape extracts. It’s an ear-cleaning solution that promotes healthier, cleaner ears by removing wax, dirt, and debris, which can cause infection and inflammation.
It also helps stop scratching and provides relief for itchy and swollen ears. With a pleasant cocoa butter smell, it also helps clean ears. Because it is manufactured with the best quality components that are soothing and safe for sensitive pets, the formula is alcohol, paraben, and dye-free.
User feedback:
All users agree that this product softened the hardened wax, allowing the pet owners to rinse the gunk with a qtip. The perfume is light and airy, yet not overpowering. It has a coconut scent to it, which isn’t irritating at all. According to one customer, this cleaner has a lovely scent and is evidently quite calming. This medication is mild, relaxing, and appears to treat any infections in the ears of pets.
My verdict of the product:
This Tropiclean Ear Solution is fantastic: it’s effective and light. It has a pleasant fragrance and is beneficial to the dog’s hearing. As a moderate cleaning solution, I highly suggest it.
Pros
- Effective for removing excessive ear wax and scratching
- Fresh scent
Cons
- It is irritating to some pets
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner
Your dogs will experience discomfort, suffering, and itching due to yeast infections. Veterinarians highly recommend this non-irritating, pleasant-smelling solution with a low pH and proprietary anti-odor technology. Epi-Otic can be used in healthy ear canals for routine ear cleaning or before administering additional ear preparations. Epi-Otic has a pH of 2.2 and is free of chlorhexidine and alcohol.
User Feedback
Customers believe this dog ear cleaning helps their pet’s otitis externa, often known as swimmer’s ear, which is a chronic inflammation of the outer ear canal. Users have also reported the effective removal of yeast, which can accumulate for various causes, the most common of which is excessive humidity trapped inside the ear, where yeast grows. This could be due to hot temperatures, heavy ear sweat, or simply because your dog enjoys swimming. One user claims their dog’s ears no longer smell or itch and remain dry and clean.
My verdict of the product:
Overall, the Epi-Otic Advanced is created with anti-adhesive glycotechnology to assist in eradicating yeast by preventing yeast and germs from sticking to the ear canal.
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Pros
- Prevents ear infections
- Saves money
Cons
- Causes inflammation in some pets
Burt’s Bees for Dogs – Natural Ear Cleaner
This all-natural ear treatment for dogs comes in a really easy-to-use bottle and is made with witch hazel, peppermint oil, and nothing else. It’s pH-balanced to avoid irritation and free of harsh chemicals, sulfates, perfumes, and colorants. It’s even gentle enough for puppies. Burt’s Bees ear cleanser for dogs and puppies cleans, calms, and removes excess moisture from your dog’s or puppy’s ears.
User Feedback
The soothing ingredients, such as witch hazel, naturally eliminate oil build-up, while peppermint calms irritation and has been praised by reviewers. The users suggest that to remove extra moisture and clean your dog’s ears, squeeze 2-4 drops of the solution into the ear canal. The reviewers particularly like that this ear cleaner is multipurpose: you can use it on your dog’s paws, nose, or eyes.
My verdict of the product:
Burt’s Bees is a low-cost brand that can be found in most stores or online, making it a convenient choice for most pet owners. Overall, many customers are pleased with the product’s performance in terms of all-natural ingredients and the absence of harsh chemicals, which means there is no need to be concerned about side effects or irritation. It also has a pleasant and gentle scent. It is strongly suggested for anyone who has a dog.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Relieves itching
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Allergic reaction to some pets
Great Pets Dog Ear Cleaner
Some dogs have filthy, stinking, itching ears that are difficult to treat. Fortunately, Great Ears multi-symptom dog ear cleaning takes care of all three problems in one easy step. This safe canine ear cleaner is made in the United States with natural ingredients. Use Great Ears on dogs and puppies over the age of 12 weeks, whether they’re a hyperactive puppy, a middle-aged mutt, or golden oldie.
Dirty, waxy ears are no fun for your dog and are even worse if he needs to go to the vet. You may clean your dog’s ears with the Great Ears ready-to-use ear cleaner. It’s small, delicate, and convenient, and it’s designed to remove ear wax, debris, and dirt from any size or shape of canine ear.
User Feedback
All users agree that the Great Pet ear cleaner did an excellent job cleaning the ears and relieving the pain associated with infection. It effortlessly cleaned the insides of their ears. The scent is one of the nicest features; the Great Pet Cleaner solution has a pleasant aroma that does not stay on the dogs after use.
My verdict of the product:
Overall, this dog ear cleaner has a pleasant, mild aroma and works effectively to keep the dog’s ears clean, as seen by customer contentment and product effectiveness. It also eliminates infection-related discomfort, itching, and odor.
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Pros
- Gently clean the ears
- Pleasant smell
Cons
- None so far
Buying Guide
- Veterinary-approved option: Although many homemade ear-cleaning solution recipes for dogs are online, store-bought goods are frequently the safest option because they undergo extensive testing and properly disclose ingredients. Some homemade ear cleaning treatments can be hazardous or irritating to your dog’s ear’s sensitive skin.
- Liquid cleaners: Because dogs’ ear canals are long, small, and have a right-angle form, a liquid ear cleaning solution is often far more effective than wipes. As a result, wipes can’t reach down into the canal to clean it. Liquid cleaners are also better at dislodging waxy muck since we can use the shake’s force to remove all of the debris by squirting it into the canal, massaging the base of the ear, and then letting your dog shake it out.
- Examine the Ingredients: Ensure your dog cleanser doesn’t include potentially dangerous ingredients. Some ingredients have specific benefits; Antimicrobials like salicylic acid and lactic acid perform best at preventing yeast and moderate bacterial infections, hydrocortisone is an anti-itch medication, and ketoconazole is an antifungal medication.
- Consider your dog’s specific requirements: Remember that some cleansers are better at removing wax and others at drying an ear after swimming. Some are additionally treated to inhibit the growth of yeast, bacteria, or fungi in the ear. If you’re unsure what to acquire, your veterinarian can review what your dog is most at risk for and properly steer you.
FAQs
What causes ear infections in dogs?
Some dogs, particularly those with certain ear patterns, are predisposed to ear infections. For example, ears that are particularly floppy or hairy may not receive as much air circulation.
How do you recognize an ear infection in a dog?
Scratching, rubbing ears on the floor, redness, a strong stench from the ear, and abnormal discharge are all early signs of an ear infection. If your dog is sick all over or has a persistent head cold, these could be symptoms of a more serious ear infection, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Is dog ear cleaning effective in preventing infections?
Yes, using a dog ear cleaner regularly at home can help keep infections at bay. Some pets may develop allergies that irritate the skin in their ears, leaving them more susceptible to infection. You can help remove some of the waxy build-up, debris, and moisture that creates this ideal environment for an infection to set in by cleaning your dog’s ears regularly, including after they go swimming.
Is it necessary to clean my dog’s ears regularly?
It depends on the breed of dog you have, as well as their ear anatomy, lifestyle, and medical history. Many dogs’ ears may only need to be cleaned once a week or every few days, while others may require cleaning once a week or even every few days. If your dog goes swimming, be sure to dry up their ears as soon as they get out of the water to avoid infection. Most veterinarians advise consulting your usual veterinarian first because they are more familiar with your dog and their medical history.
Which antibacterial ear cleanser is best for dogs?
Formulas that contain a gentle cleansing solution and a soothing component to battle bacteria and calm the skin are the finest antibacterial ear cleaners for dogs. Soothing the skin can help avoid further irritation, which can lead to an increase in bacteria. To destroy bacteria gently, look for substances like salicylic acid, lactic acid, or other natural components.
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