How Often Should You Clean Your Dog's Ears?

For most dogs, check the ears once a week and clean them when you see wax, dark debris or a smell. Clean them after every swim or bath too, because trapped moisture is what lets bacteria and yeast grow. Dogs that are prone to ear problems usually do well with a gentle clean 2 to 3 times a week as prevention.

If the ears look dry and pale pink inside and don't smell, they don't need cleaning that week. Over-cleaning is one of the common mistakes.

• Visible wax buildup
• Brown or dark debris inside the ear
• Redness inside the ear flap or canal
• A bad smell
• Scratching at the ears or shaking the head more than usual

Clean, healthy ears look dry and pale pink inside, and they don't smell.

Floppy-eared breeds, dogs that swim, and dogs with allergies benefit from more frequent cleaning, because their ears hold more warmth and moisture. Senior dogs with a history of ear problems may also need more care, but check with your vet before starting a new routine for them.

1. Lift the ear flap to see the ear canal opening.
2. Fill the canal with ear rinse until you see it pool at the opening.
3. Massage the base of the ear, just below the opening, for 20 to 30 seconds.
4. Step back and let your dog shake their head.
5. Wipe away loosened debris with a cotton ball or gauze. Only clean what you can see.
6. Repeat on the other ear, with treats and praise throughout.

For the full routine and how to prevent infections, read How to Prevent Dog Ear Infections Naturally.

• Cotton swabs (Q-tips): they push debris deeper into the canal.
• Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide: they can irritate the delicate skin inside the ear.
• Vinegar: its pH is wrong for dog ears and can irritate the tissue.
• Harsh solvents or human products: use a cleaner made for pets.

Look for a formula made for pets, with no alcohol and a gentle antimicrobial that works against bacteria and yeast. Furaqua Ear Rinse uses hypochlorous acid at 0.012% in deionized water. Hypochlorous acid is the same substance a pet's own white blood cells produce to fight infection. The rinse has no alcohol, harsh chemicals, parabens, dyes or antibiotics, and its bendable applicator is shaped for the L-shaped ear canal of dogs and cats.

Not when it is done correctly. Ear infections usually come from moisture trapped in the canal or from irritating cleaners. The mistakes to avoid are pushing debris deeper with a cotton swab, cleaning too often, and using harsh products. After a bath, dry the ear flaps and the outer ear with a soft towel.

• Red, swollen or painful ears
• Discharge, or a strong smell that doesn't improve
• Head tilting or loss of balance
• Severe pain when the ear is touched

An ear rinse is for routine cleaning and prevention, not a treatment for an active infection. If you think your dog has an infection or a ruptured eardrum, see your vet before using any ear cleaner.

Furaqua Ear Rinse is made for both dogs and cats, from puppies and kittens to seniors. With puppies, use less liquid and go slowly so they get used to it.