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How to Clean Your Dog's Ears at Home, Step by Step

Updated October 27, 2026

This guide is for dog owners who want to clean their dog's ears at home without doing harm. It covers when ears actually need cleaning, which ear cleaning solution to use, whether homemade cleaners, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide are a good idea, where ear wipes fit in, a step-by-step routine, which dogs need more ear care, and the signs that mean you should stop and see your vet instead.

The short answer: Use a veterinary ear cleaner made for dogs, fill the ear canal, massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds, let your dog shake, then wipe only the parts of the ear you can see with a cotton ball or gauze. Never push cotton swabs into the canal, and skip hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, vinegar and homemade mixes. Clean when you see wax or dirt, not on a rigid schedule. If an ear is red, swollen, smelly, painful or has discharge, see your vet before you clean it.

How we wrote this: the advice comes from the veterinary and animal welfare sources linked in the text. Product mentions use brand specs and named, linked reviews. We have not tested these products ourselves, and this page has no affiliate links.

Does your dog's ear need cleaning?

Not every dog needs regular ear cleaning. The AKC notes that some dogs naturally have clean, healthy ears and may almost never need cleaning, while others need it regularly to keep dirt and wax from building up. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that over-cleaning can irritate the ear canal, which can lead to infection.

So start by looking and sniffing, not by reaching for the bottle. Lift the ear flap and check the skin and the opening of the canal. A small amount of wax is normal, according to the AKC. A healthy ear should not smell yeasty or stinky. The AKC suggests cleaning with a cleanser only when you notice a change, such as visible wax buildup, a mild odor, or your dog shaking their head more than usual.

See your vet first, do not clean at home, if you notice: redness, swelling, a bad or yeasty smell, brown, yellow or bloody discharge, crusty skin, frequent head shaking or scratching, or your dog pulling away because the ear hurts. The ASPCA and the AKC list these as reasons to call your vet. VCA warns that a red, inflamed or painful ear could mean an infection or a ruptured eardrum, and PetMD says an ear with a damaged eardrum should not be cleaned at home. If you think something is stuck inside the ear canal, do not try to dig it out yourself.

Dog ear cleaning solution: what to use

The AKC calls veterinary dog ear cleaning solutions the safest choice, and PetMD recommends a vet-approved ear cleaner. Products differ: VCA notes that some cleaners are better at removing wax and some contain antibacterial or antifungal ingredients, and that your vet can help you choose. If your dog is already on ear medication, VCA also says to ask your vet whether to wait between cleaning and medicating, because some cleansers can weaken the medication.

Besides the cleaner, you need cotton balls or gauze, a towel, and treats. The AKC's vet columnist prefers absorbent gauze, since paper towel or cotton can leave irritating fibers behind. Pick a room that is easy to clean, such as a bathroom, because the head shake sprays.

What about a homemade dog ear cleaning solution?

The honest answer from vet sources is: do not make your own. The AKC says the internet is full of homemade ear cleaning recipes, but some contain harmful or irritating ingredients and others simply do not work. The Merck Veterinary Manual says irritating treatments, naming home remedies and vinegar dilutions, should be avoided because they make the lining of the ear canal swell and increase secretions, which sets the ear up for infection.

You may still see older advice that mentions hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil on a cotton ball for the visible part of the ear, including on the ASPCA grooming tips page. Given the clear warnings from the AKC, VCA, PetMD and Merck, a dog ear cleaner is the safer choice.

Dog ear cleaning wipes

Ear wipes and cotton balls are for the parts of the ear you can see: the inside of the ear flap and the opening of the canal. PetMD lists cotton balls or wipes as supplies for wiping the visible ear after using a cleaner. A wipe cannot clean the canal itself, which runs down and then sideways, so it is not a replacement for a liquid cleaner when there is wax in the canal. Do not fold a wipe into a point and push it down the canal.

How to clean your dog's ears, step by step

These steps follow the instructions from VCA and the AKC. Read the label on your cleaner too, and follow it where it differs.

  1. Get set up. Have the cleaner, cotton balls or gauze, a towel and treats within reach. VCA suggests backing a large dog into a corner, sitting on the floor with a medium dog in front of you, and holding a small dog on your lap. A helper makes it easier.
  2. Lift the ear flap. Hold the flap straight up with one hand. VCA notes this straightens the ear canal so the cleaner can flow down.
  3. Fill the canal. Squeeze in enough cleaner to fill the canal. It is fine if some spills out. Do not put the bottle tip into the ear: VCA and the AKC both say a tip that touches the ear can spread bacteria or yeast into the bottle.
  4. Massage the base of the ear. Keep holding the flap up and gently rub the base of the ear for about 30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound as the cleaner loosens debris, according to the AKC.
  5. Let your dog shake. This brings loosened wax and cleaner up and out. Hold the towel up to protect yourself and wipe drips off your dog's face.
  6. Wipe the outer ear only. Use a cotton ball or gauze to wipe the inside of the flap and the opening of the canal. The AKC says to go no deeper than one knuckle, and VCA says only as far as your finger reaches.
  7. Praise, treat and repeat on the other side. VCA says if your dog seems to be in pain at any point, stop and call your vet.

Never put cotton swabs (Q-tips) into the ear canal. VCA warns they can puncture the eardrum or injure the canal, and both VCA and PetMD say they push wax and debris deeper. The ASPCA says never to insert anything into your dog's ear canal.

How often to clean dog ears

There is no single schedule that suits every dog, and the sources say so. The AKC recommends cleaning when you notice a change rather than by the calendar. PetMD suggests checking ears monthly and cleaning when you see wax or debris. An older AKC article by a veterinarian suggests at least once a month, more often if your dog is prone to ear problems. VCA says to ask your vet how often your dog's ears should be cleaned, since over-cleaning causes its own irritation.

A practical approach: look at and sniff your dog's ears every time you groom, for example when you trim nails or brush teeth, and clean only when there is something to clean. If your dog has had ear problems before, let your vet set the schedule.

Dogs that need more ear care

Floppy ears

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists pendulous (hanging) ear flaps among the conformation factors that raise the risk of outer ear inflammation. The AKC names long-eared breeds like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels among the highest risk, and the ASPCA adds Poodles and dogs with allergies. These dogs usually need more frequent checks.

Swimmers

Merck lists excess moisture in the ears, from the environment or swimming, as another risk factor. The AKC says dogs who spend a lot of time in the water may need cleaning more often.

Hairy ear canals and the ear plucking debate

Some dogs grow a lot of hair inside the ear canal, and the ASPCA says regular ear checks matter most for these dogs and heavy wax producers. Whether to pluck that hair is debated. The Merck Veterinary Manual calls plucking hair from the ear canal controversial: it says plucking from overly hairy canals can improve airflow, but hair should not be removed routinely if it is not causing a problem, because doing so can set off acute inflammation. In plain terms: if your dog's ears are healthy, leave the canal hair alone, and ask your vet before plucking. Merck describes clipping hair around the outside of the ear opening as a separate step from plucking. See our Goldendoodle grooming guide for face and ear trimming on curly coats.

Ears after baths and swimming

Water in the ear canal is the main thing to manage. Merck says to keep ear canals dry and well ventilated, to stop water getting into the canals during baths, and that drying (astringent) ear products can help dogs that swim often. The ASPCA suggests placing cotton in your dog's ears before a bath, drying the ears well after water play, and asking your vet about an ear drying solution if your dog is prone to ear infections. Remember to take the cotton out afterward.

Do not overdo it, though. The AKC warns against using drying agents regularly when there is no problem, since they can dry out the ear too much. Our dog bathing guide covers keeping water out of the ears during the bath itself.

Our pick

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser, 8 oz

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

Virbac describes it as a cleanser for routine ear cleaning in dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, and the brand page says it does not sting and suits frequent use. The label directions match the routine above: shake well, fill the ear canal, gently rub the base of the ear, then wipe the ear flap with cotton or a cloth. The label says not to use it in ears with a ruptured eardrum and to keep it out of the eyes. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Mistakes to avoid

FAQ

Can I clean my dog's ears with hydrogen peroxide?

No. The AKC, VCA and PetMD all advise against it because it can irritate the ear canal. Use a veterinary ear cleaner made for dogs.

Is vinegar a safe homemade dog ear cleaner?

Vet sources say no. The Merck Veterinary Manual says home remedies and vinegar dilutions should be avoided because they irritate the ear canal and can set it up for infection.

How often should I clean my dog's ears?

Only when you see wax or dirt or notice a mild change in smell, per the AKC. Check the ears every month or so, and ask your vet for a schedule if your dog is prone to ear problems.

Can I use baby wipes or ear wipes inside my dog's ear?

Wipes are for the ear flap and the opening of the canal only. Never push anything into the canal; the ASPCA warns probing can cause injury or infection.

Why does my dog shake their head after ear cleaning?

Shaking is expected and helps bring loosened wax and cleaner out, according to VCA. Frequent head shaking that continues between cleanings is a reason to see your vet.

Should I clean my dog's ears after swimming?

Dry them well after every swim. The AKC says swimmers may need more frequent cleaning, and your vet can recommend a drying product if your dog keeps getting ear trouble.

For more home grooming routines, browse all our grooming guides.