How to clean your dog's ears

Use a dog ear cleaner on a cotton pad, wipe the parts you can see, and never push anything into the ear canal. Dogs with long, floppy or hairy ears need it every week or two; most others only when the ears look dirty.

How

Fill the ear with a dog ear cleaner, as the bottle says
Massage the base of the ear for 20 seconds
Let your dog shake, then wipe what comes up with cotton wool
No cotton buds inside the canal

Who needs it most

Long, floppy ears: spaniels, beagles, retrievers, bassets
Hairy ears: poodles, doodles, Maltese, Shih Tzus
Dogs that swim

See a vet if

A bad smell, redness or swelling
Brown or yellow discharge
Head shaking or scratching at an ear
Pain when you touch the ear

Breed guides

Questions

More grooming guides

How often should I clean my dog's ears?

Every week or two for floppy or hairy ears and dogs that swim; otherwise only when they look dirty. Over-cleaning can irritate them.

Can I use water or vinegar?

A dog ear cleaner is better: it dries the ear. Water left in the ear can cause infections.