Because a dog’s ear canal can trap moisture and debris, routine ear cleaning can help support ear health in dogs who are prone to wax buildup, ear infections, allergies, or frequent swimming.
The best ear cleaners for dogs should be pH-balanced for dogs’ ears, formulated by board-certified veterinary dermatologists, backed by research and quality testing, and come from a trusted brand name.
Our panel of veterinary experts put together a list of the best ear cleaners for dogs based on cost, effectiveness, type of ear issue, and more.
Note: If your dog has chronic or recurrent ear infections, talk with your veterinarian. Repeated infections often have an underlying cause that needs to be identified rather than managed with ear cleaning alone.
Everything Our Vets Recommend
Our Vet Pick: Best in Show Ear Cleaner for Dogs Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats $21.99 on Chewy
Our Vet Pick: Runner-Up Best Ear Cleaner for Dogs Vetoquinol Ear Cleansing Solution for Dogs and Cats $16.98 on Chewy
Our Vet Pick: Best Over-the-Counter Medicated Ear Cleaner for Dogs MalAcetic Otic Cleanser for Dogs & Cats $18.31 on Chewy
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Ear Cleaning Wipes Vetnique Labs OticBliss Ear Cleaning Wipes $18.99 on Chewy
Our Vet Pick: Best Odor-Reducing Ear Cleaner TrizULTRA + Keto Flush for Dogs, Cats, and Horses $23.18 on Chewy
Our Vet Pick: Best Prescription Dog Ear Cleaner for Preventive Care T8 Keto Flush $29.84 on Chewy
What To Consider When Buying Ear Cleaners for Dogs
When shopping for the best ear cleaners for dogs, our vets recommend prioritizing a safe, effective formula, user-friendly application, and your dog’s individual needs. Consider:
Formulation
For routine ear cleaning in dogs with generally healthy ears, a gentle, pH-balanced liquid cleanser is often the right pick. If your dog is prone to ear infections, yeast, or wax buildup, an antimicrobial, medicated ear cleaner is worth considering.
Application
Vets tend to prefer liquid cleaners over wipes. This is because they clean the ear canal, where infections and buildup tend to develop, while wipes only clean the pinna (the outer ear flap) and the ear opening. Still, wipes can be useful for touch-ups and for dogs who dislike having their ears cleaned.
Your Dog’s Lifestyle
Dogs who swim frequently may benefit from an ear-cleaning or drying routine, particularly if they’re prone to otitis. Your veterinarian can recommend how often to clean based on your dog’s ears and swimming habits.Some ear cleaners contain drying ingredients, such as isopropyl alcohol, salicylic acid, and boric acid, can also be helpful for moisture-related ear problems, but these products can irritate already inflamed ears so you should consult your veterinarian when selecting the correct choice for your pup.
If your dog has an active ear infection, be sure to consult your vet before beginning any treatment, including routine ear care.
Our Vet Pick: Best in Show Ear Cleaner for Dogs
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats
High quality dog ear cleaner ideal for routine ear cleanings
Virbac’s Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner is our vet panel’s pick for the best ear cleaner for dogs due to its gentle, pH-balanced formula that’s great for routine cleanings, especially for pups with sensitive ears.
This alcohol-free ear cleaner is formulated to be non-irritating while still providing a thorough clean. Salicylic acid and other cleansing agents help remove wax and debris, while ingredients such as EDTA help create an ear environment less favorable to microbial overgrowth.
“This is my number one recommended ear cleaner for healthy ears as a routine or maintenance cleaner,” says Chewy veterinarian Veronica Higgs, DVM. “This is a good choice for dogs who do not have a large history of ear infections but need a cleaner for after baths or swimming.”
However, if your dog’s skin is severely irritated or if they already have an ear infection, this ear cleaner won’t combat the issue on its own. In these cases, it’s best to consult your vet.
Things to Consider
- Best used as a routine cleaner
- Contains salicylic acid to help keep the ear free of wax and debris
- Gentle, alcohol-free formula
- No prescription required
- Pleasant citrus scent
Our Vet Pick: Runner-Up Best Ear Cleaner for Dogs
Vetoquinol Ear Cleansing Solution for Dogs and Cats
A dog ear cleaner that contains soothing aloe vera and is ideal for frequent swimmers
This ear cleaner’s formula is designed to remove wax and debris while helping dry the ear canal, making it a useful option for routine cleaning and dogs who swim frequently
“Vetoquinol is an excellent brand and vet-trusted,” says Dr. Higgs. “This is a good cleaner for general use to help keep ears happy and healthy.”
Every vet on our panel notes that this ear cleaner is formulated with aloe vera, which can help soothe the skin. It also contains denatured alcohol, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and benzoic acid, which work together to create a healthy, dry ear environment and combat yeast, bacteria, and wax buildup.
It’s also available in plenty of sizes, from 4 ounces to a refill gallon, so you can pick the one that best fits your pet’s needs.
Things to Consider
- Great as a routine cleaner
- Contains soothing aloe vera
- Ideal to use after bathing or swimming
- No prescription required
- Alcohol may irritate sensitive ears
Our Vet Pick: Best Over-the-Counter Medicated Ear Cleaner for Dogs
MalAcetic Otic Cleanser for Dogs & Cats
A medicated, over-the-counter ear cleaner that helps control moisture and microbial overgrowth
Our vets choose MalAcetic Otic Cleanser because it goes beyond basic ear cleaning. In addition to removing wax and debris, it contains acetic acid and boric acid to help maintain a dry, acidic ear environment that discourages the growth of bacteria and yeast—without requiring a prescription.
The MalAcetic Otic Cleanser can be very useful for dogs with a history of chronic ear infections. Applying the cleaner once or twice a week can help stave off future issues. Still, if you suspect that your dog has an active ear infection, it’s best not to rely on any OTC ear cleaner alone.
“Medicated ear cleaners may help decrease bacteria (and in some cases yeast) on the skin and in the ears to potentially prevent future ear infections but are typically not enough to fight an active infection,” says Dr. Higgs. “If you suspect your pet has an active infection, please see a veterinarian.”
Things to Consider
- Ideal for dogs prone to ear infections
- Acetic and boric acid help maintain a dry, acidic ear environment
- No prescription required
- Can be used weekly/routinely as preventative careMay be too potent for dogs with otherwise healthy ears
- Pleasant apple scent
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Ear Cleaning Wipes
Vetnique Labs OticBliss Ear Cleaning Wipes
Easy-to-use wipes that work well for touch-ups, especially for dogs who dislike ear cleaning
Vetnique Labs OticBliss Wipes earn our vet panel’s vote because they help to soothe, deodorize, and dry itchy and uncomfortable dog ears.
While not as effective at cleaning inside the ear canal as liquid cleaners or flushes, these wipes can be a good option for dogs who dislike liquid ear cleaners or for quick cleaning of the visible outer ear.
Chewy veterinarian Stephanie Howe, DVM, also praises these wipes for their “quality ingredients,” which include moisturizing glycerin, soothing aloe vera and vitamin E; docusate sodium and salicylic acid to soften and loosen earwax; polysorbate 80 to lift oils and debris; and chloroxylenol with EDTA for ear hygiene.
It’s important to note that, while convenient, ear wipes are not a substitute for liquid ear cleaners, since they can’t access the ear canal. Still, they work well for touch-ups in between thorough cleanings.
Things to Consider
- Contains aloe vera and other conditioning ingredients
- Cannot adequately clean deeper within the ear canal
- Not a substitute for liquid ear cleaners when canal cleaning is needed
- Do not use to manage a painful or infected ear without veterinary guidance
Our Vet Pick: Best Odor-Reducing Ear Cleaner
TrizULTRA + Keto Flush for Dogs, Cats, and Horses
A dog ear cleaner that helps fight yeast infections and combats stinky ears
Some yeast infections require a little more power to neutralize the odor, and our vets recommend this dog ear cleaner to combat stinky ears. It contains the active antifungal ingredient ketoconazole, which targets yeast and limits its associated odor.
“As a medicated ear cleaner, it will decrease the [amount] of yeast and bacteria on the skin and in the ear to help decrease the potential for an ear infection,” says Dr. Higgs. “This is particularly important in pets with allergies, who may tend to overgrow yeast.”
However, if your pup has generally healthy ears and only requires basic ear maintenance, this is likely too strong to be their best pick.
Things to Consider
- Contains ketoconazole for antifungal activity
- May help control yeast overgrowth and associated odor
- May be useful for dogs with recurrent yeast-related ear problems
- Not usually necessary for routine cleaning of healthy ears
- No prescription required
- Persistent odor, discharge, redness, or pain warrant a veterinary exam
Our Vet Pick: Best Prescription Dog Ear Cleaner for Preventive Care
A prescription-only ear cleaner that’s ideal for dogs with chronic ear infections
T8 Keto Flush earns high marks as a prescription ear cleaner because it targets both yeast and bacteria, making it a top choice for dogs with recurring ear infections.
Available only with a vet’s prescription, it contains ketoconazole to combat yeast as well as buffered chelating agents, which help maintain pH and disrupt bacterial biofilms. Our panel of vets also reports that it’s gentle on sensitive skin.
“[T8 Keto Flush] is excellent as an antibacterial and antifungal,” says Dr. Higgs. “While … it is a cleaner and must typically be used with a true ear medication if there is an active infection, T8 Keto is a great choice for dogs with a history of ear infections to use on a regular basis (typically weekly) to help prevent future infections.”
Things to Consider
- Designed for veterinarian-directed maintenance in dogs with recurrent ear infections
- Contains ketoconazole for antifungal activity
- Chelating ingredients can help disrupt bacterial defenses and biofilms
- May be useful for allergy-prone dogs with recurrent otitis
- Not ideal for routine ear cleanings in dogs with healthy ears
- Prescription required
How We Selected the Best Ear Cleaners for Dogs
This list of the best ear cleaners for dogs was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best ear cleaners for dogs in their honest opinion, across multiple categories, and based on the following:
- Their knowledge and practical experience
- Review of information published by the manufacturers
- Attributes such as formulation, ease of use, company reputation, and more
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.
Ear Cleaners for Dogs FAQs
What is the best ear cleaner for dogs?
The best ear cleaner for your dog meets their specific needs. Look for a vet-approved product that addresses your dog’s primary ear concerns, whether that’s routine maintenance, wax buildup, excess moisture, or recurring ear infections.
How do I clean my dog’s ears with a liquid cleanser?
Fill your dog’s ear canal with cleaner using the provided applicator, then gently massage the base of your dog’s ear for 30 seconds. After that, your dog will shake their head. When they’re done, wipe away the loosened debris with a cotton ball or pad. Just as with human ears, never insert a cotton swab into your dog’s ear canal.
How do liquid ear cleaners for dogs work?
Liquid ear cleaners flush the ear canal while their active ingredients loosen wax, dissolve debris, and help maintain a healthy ear environment. Many also contain drying or antiseptic ingredients to discourage yeast and bacteria.
How often should I clean my dog’s ears?
How often you should clean your dog’s ears depends on their ear type and lifestyle. Many dogs only need occasional cleaning, while dogs with floppy ears, frequent swimmers, and dogs prone to ear infections might require more regular maintenance. Check in with your vet about the best ear-cleaning regimen for your dog, as ideal timing between ear cleanings can range from weekly cleanings to every month or two.