Ear Hygiene

The Ear Problem You Might Not See Coming

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet, and they're almost always preventable with routine at-home monitoring and cleaning. The trouble is that problems in the ear canal aren't visible from the outside. By the time a dog is obviously uncomfortable, an infection is often already well underway.

A few minutes of ear care each week can make a significant difference.

What to Look For

Make a habit of checking your dog's ears once a week. Healthy ears look clean and light pink, smell neutral, and your dog doesn't react when you touch them. Reach out to your vet if you notice:

• An unpleasant or musty odor

• Dark brown or black discharge

• Redness, swelling, or visible irritation inside the ear flap

• Your dog scratching at their ears, shaking their head frequently, or tilting their head to one side

• Sensitivity or pain when you touch the ear area

These can all be signs of infection, bacterial, yeast, or both, and they won't resolve on their own. Untreated ear infections can progress deeper into the middle and inner ear, where they become much more serious and harder to treat.

Which Dogs Are Most Prone to Ear Infections?

Any dog can get an ear infection, but some are significantly more susceptible:

• Floppy-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds), the ear flap traps warmth and moisture, creating an environment where bacteria and yeast thrive

• Dogs who swim frequently, water that stays in the ear canal is a common trigger

• Dogs with allergies, environmental and food allergies are one of the most common underlying causes of recurrent ear infections

• Heavily coated breeds, hair inside the ear canal can trap debris and reduce airflow

If your dog falls into any of these categories, ask your vet how often they recommend cleaning and whether there are any preventive steps specific to your dog.

How to Clean Your Dog's Ears at Home

Routine cleaning helps prevent buildup, but it's important to do it correctly, improper ear cleaning can cause irritation or push debris deeper into the canal.

What you'll need: A veterinarian-approved ear cleaning solution and cotton balls or gauze pads. Do not use cotton swabs (Q-tips), they can push debris further in and risk damaging the eardrum.

How to do it:

1. Apply the cleaning solution generously into the ear canal, your vet can show you the right amount and angle

2. Gently massage the base of the ear (the cartilage you can feel at the bottom) for about 30 seconds, you should hear a squishing sound as the solution loosens debris

3. Let your dog shake their head, this brings loosened debris up and out

4. Wipe the visible part of the ear canal and the inner ear flap with a cotton ball, removing what came up. Only clean what you can see.

5. Repeat on the other side

How often: For most dogs, once every 1–2 weeks is a reasonable maintenance routine. Dogs who swim, have allergies, or have a history of infections may need more frequent cleaning, your vet will advise.

Important: Never clean your dog's ears if you suspect an active infection. Cleaning an already-inflamed ear can be painful and may make things worse. Take them to the vet first.