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

Cleaning your dog's ears at home sounds simple enough. But the first time you try it, you realise there are about forty questions you did not think to ask. How much cleaner do I use? How far do I go? What if my dog absolutely hates it? What does "normal" even look like in there?

I have been cleaning my dogs' ears for years now, and I promise you, it gets easier. Louie (Jeff's Frenchie) used to act like we were performing surgery when we went near his ears. Now he just sits there looking mildly offended, which I consider a win.

Here is everything I have learned about cleaning dog ears at home, step by step.

Before You Start: What You Will Need

Gather everything before you begin. Once you have your dog in position, you do not want to be rummaging through cupboards.

• A gentle, natural ear cleaner for the upper ear (our Botanical Ear Cleaner is formulated by qualified herbalists and nutritionists specifically for routine cleaning)
• If your dog is prone to ear issues or you have noticed extra gunk or buildup, botanical ear drops for the inner ear (also in our Ear Comfort range)
• Soft cotton pads or cotton wool (never cotton buds)
• A towel (for the inevitable shake)
• Treats (because bribery absolutely works)

Step 1: Check the Ears First

Before you clean anything, have a good look. Gently lift the ear flap and check for:

• Colour: Healthy ears are a pale pink inside. Redness or angry looking skin means something is going on.
• Smell: A mild, slightly waxy smell is normal. A strong, sour, or yeasty smell is not.
• Discharge: A small amount of light brown wax is normal. Anything dark, thick, crusty, or coloured (yellow, green) needs a vet visit.
• Sensitivity: If your dog flinches, cries, or pulls away when you touch the ear, stop. That is pain, and it needs veterinary attention.

If you see broken skin, heavy discharge, swelling, or your dog is in obvious discomfort, do not clean the ear. See your vet first.

Honey has big, gorgeous ears, and checking them has become part of our weekly routine. I know exactly what her ears look like when they are healthy, so I spot changes quickly. That is the real value of regular ear checks.

Step 2: Get Into Position

You want your dog calm and comfortable. Some dogs will sit happily on your lap. Others do better on a non slip surface on the floor. Larger dogs might prefer to lie on their side.

The key is making it feel like no big deal. If you are tense, your dog will be tense. Talk to them, give them a treat, and keep things relaxed.

With Louie, we learned that a lick mat smeared with a bit of peanut butter was an absolute game changer. He was so focused on the mat that he barely noticed what was happening with his ears.

Step 3: Apply the Ear Cleaner

This step is about routine cleaning with your ear cleaner, which is designed for the upper ear and general maintenance.

Gently lift the ear flap so you can see the opening of the ear canal. Hold the bottle of ear cleaner close to the ear (but not touching it) and apply a few drops to the upper part of the ear.

You do not need to flood the ear. A few drops is enough. You are cleaning the upper ear and ear flap area, not trying to reach deep into the canal.

Your dog will probably try to shake at this point. Gently hold the ear flap closed for a moment while you move to the next step.

Step 4: Massage the Base of the Ear

This is the bit that actually does the work. With the ear flap still gently held, use your thumb and fingers to massage the base of the ear (that cartilage area just below the ear opening) for about 20 to 30 seconds.

You should hear a gentle squelching sound. That means the cleaner is moving through the canal and breaking up wax and debris. It sounds a bit gross, but it is exactly what you want.

Most dogs actually enjoy this part. BamBam leans into it like she is getting a spa treatment.

Step 5: Let Them Shake

Now let go. Stand back (or hold up your towel). Your dog will shake, and that shake is doing important work. It brings the loosened wax and debris up from the deeper part of the canal to where you can reach it.

This is the bit where your walls, your clothes, and possibly your face will get splattered. Worth it.

Step 6: Wipe Away the Debris

Take a soft cotton pad and gently wipe the inside of the ear flap and the visible part of the ear canal opening. You are removing the debris that the cleaner has loosened and the shake has brought to the surface.

Work your way around the folds and ridges of the ear flap, where wax likes to hide.

Never push cotton wool, cotton buds, or anything else into the ear canal. You can only clean what you can see. Going deeper risks pushing debris further in or damaging the canal.

Step 7: Repeat on the Other Side

Same process, other ear. Some dogs have one ear that is worse than the other (Louie's left ear was always the troublemaker), so do not assume both ears need the same level of attention.

Step 8: Reward Your Dog

Treats, praise, their favourite game. Make the end of an ear clean something your dog looks forward to. You want them to associate ear cleaning with good things, not stress.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog's Ears?

This depends on your dog:

• Weekly: Dogs with floppy ears, narrow canals, or a history of ear issues (like Honey and Louie)
• After every swim or bath: Dogs who get their ears wet regularly (like BamBam after her puddle adventures)
• Every two weeks: Dogs with upright ears and no history of problems
• As needed: If you notice extra wax, a slight smell, or more head shaking than usual

Over cleaning can be just as much of a problem as under cleaning. It can strip the ear's natural protective oils and cause irritation. Find a rhythm that works for your dog and stick with it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using cotton buds. Never. They push debris further into the canal and can damage the delicate lining.

Using water. Plain water does not break down wax effectively and can leave moisture sitting in the canal, which creates the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria.

Using human ear drops. Dog ears have different pH and sensitivity. Products formulated for human ears are not suitable for dogs.

Cleaning an infected ear. If the ear is red, swollen, painful, or has coloured discharge, cleaning will only make things worse. See your vet.

Being too rough. Gentle does it. The ear canal is sensitive. If your dog is pulling away, you are either being too forceful or there is an underlying problem that needs attention.

Ear Cleaner vs Ear Drops: Which Does Your Dog Need?

This is something a lot of people get confused about, and it matters. They are two different products that do two different jobs.

Ear cleaner is for the upper ear. It is your routine maintenance product. You use it for general cleaning, wiping away wax, dirt, and debris from the ear flap and the visible part of the ear canal. This is what you reach for on a weekly clean day. It keeps healthy ears healthy.

Ear drops are for the inner ear. You use these when there is an issue, or as a preventative if your dog is prone to ear problems. If you are noticing more gunk than usual, excess dirt, a change in smell, or your dog is showing early signs of discomfort, ear drops are designed to reach deeper and help support the ear's natural balance where a surface clean cannot.

For dogs like Louie, who were always prone to ear trouble, ear drops became part of the routine alongside the cleaner. Not every week, but whenever I noticed things starting to shift. That early intervention made a real difference.

For dogs like Honey, whose ears are healthy but need regular maintenance because of their shape, the ear cleaner on its own is plenty.

Both products are in our Ear Comfort range. They were formulated by qualified herbalists and nutritionists, and they are trusted by 400,000+ dogs across the UK. I created them because Louie needed something gentle enough for regular use that would not strip or irritate his already sensitive ears. If that sounds like your dog, they are worth a look.

When Cleaning Is Not Enough

Regular ear cleaning and ear drops are maintenance. They help keep healthy ears healthy and can help support dogs who are prone to buildup. But they are not a replacement for veterinary care.

If your dog has recurring ear problems despite a consistent ear care routine, there may be an underlying cause (allergies, anatomy, hormonal factors) that needs investigating. Your vet can help identify what is driving the issue and recommend the right approach.