The Best Dog Ear Cleaners & Treatments in 2025
Is your dog shaking his head excessively or scratching his ears nonstop? These can be signs of a more serious issue, such as an ear infection. Ear infections are quite common in dogs. However, this doesn’t mean you should neglect these signs. These infections can lead to mild to severe pain and, in the worst cases, loss of hearing.
If you want to banish yeast and gunk from your dog’s ears, continue reading to learn about some of the top dog ear cleaners currently circulating the web. Make sure to keep an eye on your pup. If you notice that his ears are red or that they are shaking their head every few minutes, act as soon as possible.
Here are our top ear cleaning treatments this year!
Our Top List
Last update on 2025-01-26 at 23:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Zymox Pet King Brand Otic Treatment
If you’ve noticed your dog’s ears are red and inflamed, this liquid treatment is effective and can start working on clearing your dog’s ear infection within a week. This strong treatment does not have any traces of animal products and is cruelty-free. Select between a 1.25 or 4 oz bottle. This product is also suitable for use on cats.
Takeaways
- The product is vegan and cruelty-free
- Contains natural enzymes
- Provides instant soothing relief as well as long term results
- Fights Candida albicans, proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and more
2. EcoEars Natural Ear Cleaner
The Eco Ears Cleaner does not contain synthetics or pharmaceutical chemicals, making it a viable option if you want to go the more natural route. It’s made in the United States and follows all FDA guidelines. We also love the eco-smart packaging and multi-symptom formula.
This option by EcoEars an excellent wash if you want to rinse your dog’s ears often and avoid harsh chemicals at the same time. Use this after your dog’s baths to ensure the ear canal is clean. Also, if your dog is prone to ear infections, this is optimal to use once a week since it’s non-drying and does a remarkable job of cleansing the area.
Takeaways
- Natural but effective formula
- Large 8 oz bottle size will last you a while
- Use it as a treatment by following a 10-day regimen
3. Bexley Labs Curaseb Treatment
For the more stubborn ear infection, try this treatment by Bexley Labs. The formula contains prescription-grade ketoconazole — which is both antifungal and anti-yeast — and an antibacterial compound known as tris-EDTA.
However, it also contains soothing aloe vera for relief. You can order this flush in either an 8 or 12 oz option, which is fantastic if you have multiple dogs at home. The cucumber scent of the fluid is also a nice touch.
Mostly, we love the strength of this formula. Ear infections are never fun to deal with. But using this flush can help make a massive difference in the health of your dog’s ears.
Takeaways
- Works in as little as a week
- Veterinary strength without the hassle of a prescription
- Alcohol-free formula
4. Virbac Epi-Otic Cleaner
Pet parents, if you’ve noticed a bad smell coming from your dog’s ears, use this to fight the infection and kill the odor. This Verbac cleaner has a low ph balance of 2.2 and should not interfere with any other washes or flushes you may also use. Use this product as a weekly cleansing solution to banish infections. Or use this wash to prep the ear for medicine and treatment.
Takeaways
- Non-irritating formula
- Vet recommended ear cleaner to rid the dog’s ears of gunk
5. Pet MD – Ear Cleaner Wipes
Wipes are a safe and potent alternative to flushes and washes. They are also typically more comfortable to use regularly since this form of cleansing does not contain liquid — which can get messy if your dog hates the cleaning process. If you struggle to clean your dog’s ears but want to prevent infections at all costs, these wipes are a gem!
Most ear wipes often do not contain enough solution to make a world of difference, but these by Pet MD are beloved by all who use them. They are highly effective at cleaning away wax, dirt, and debris. Use these every other day, or as often as needed.
Takeaways
- Wipes contain soothing eucalyptus and aloe vera
- Safe to use on even the most stubborn pup
- The product comes with 100 wipes
- Clinical strength
6. Doggie Dailies Pet Ear Cleaning
The powerful ingredient at play in this wash is witch hazel. Witch hazel is completely natural but cleanses and purifies the ears just as well as prescribed medicine. It’s safe, natural, and most importantly, it can help clear the infection in a week or less.
Takeaways
- Loosens and dislodges wax easily
- Will help keep the dog’s ears smelling great
- Limited ingredient list
- BPA-free jars
While this list includes some fantastic options, we want you to feel comfortable when making that final choice. If you’re searching for a more natural and gentle solution for your puppy or younger dog, EcoEars is the brand for you. But if your dog can’t stand the sensation of liquid in his ears, Pet MD wipes should keep the both of you satisfied since they are just as effective as a wash.
But overall, we love and recommend the Zymox treatment, as it is our top pick. The proof is in the before and after pictures. It can clear up an existing infection — fast. We are also excited that the product is not tested on animals. This fact, along with its potent nature, makes it a solid ten by our standards.
Buying Guide
Dogs can, unfortunately, be in a good amount of pain when facing an ear infection. Worst of all, your furry buddy won’t have a clue of what’s going on. But, cleaning your dog’s ears regularly can help fight off infections altogether and alleviate that pain and discomfort. Their ears are damp and make the perfect breeding ground for yeast and harmful bacteria.
By doing your part as a diligent pet owner, your dog will be happier and healthier too. In some severe cases, neglected infections lead to hearing loss and deafness, so it’s best to brush up on ear cleaning and maintenance while you still can. Using medicated washes and cleaners is also one of the easiest and most efficient ways of cleansing the ear canal.
Cleaning your dog’s ears yourself can additionally save you a trip to the vet.
Most dogs aren’t huge fans of visiting the doctor when they get sick. And humans aren’t too crazy about those high medical bills either. Neither of you should have to pay the price and face that level of stress if you make a good habit out of monitoring and cleaning your dog’s ears at home.
Signs of An Ear Infection
There are many signs that your pup’s poor ears are infected. The first is one of the most notable. If they have contracted a yeast infection or are battling severe doggy allergies, you’ll see them shaking their head from side to side.
Dogs will often tilt their head to the side if they need to hear your voice better, or have some dirt lodged in the ear canal. But, if you notice they are shaking their head non-stop, this is a major red flag. They may also whimper and whine if it has gotten to a more severe and even painful state.
Secondly, if you notice your dog’s ears are full of fluid or clear discharge, this is another sign a harsh infection has made its way into your dog’s ear canal.
Other signs you should watch out for include red and sensitive ears, waxy build-up, and a bad smell emitting from the ears.
How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears
To clean your dog’s ears, wash and dry your hands to avoid causing or worsening the infection. Then, shake the bottle of fluid. If your dog has floppy ears, take the tip of one ear and gently bend it away from you so the ear canal is exposed. Take off the cap and tip the nozzle into their ear canal (careful not to go too deep) and fill the area with fluid.
Massage the product into the canal. You should hear a swishing sound as you work the product in. Lastly, take a step back — because your dog will shake his head and send cleaner flying everywhere!
If your dog hates getting his ears cleaned, try coaxing him towards you with his favorite treat. Speak in a calming voice. If you notice that your dog is too stressed to continue — they’re growling or snapping — let them go and try again later.
Preventing Infections
Of course, you can take matters into your own hands and treat your dog’s ears as often as your vet recommends, but despite your best efforts, they can still contract an infection. Often, excess moisture and allergies are to blame. Whereas humans often experience a runny nose or itchy throat, if their allergies are bad, dogs will go on to experience skin rashes and ear infections. These allergies can sometimes be a seasonal issue.
If your pup is prone to ear infections, you have multiple options when it comes to treatment. First, groom your dog at home — instead of taking them to the salon — and use a medicated wash after every bath. This method allows you to keep a closer watch on their infection. You can place cotton in their ears to eliminate the possibility of water entering the ear canal. Flushing the ears afterward ensures that their ears are clean and free from dirt and wax — which can sometimes cause the infection on top of the excess moisture.
If your pup enjoys swimming, make sure to gently remove any excess water with a soft cloth or towel before you leave the beach, lake, or pool.
We want to stress that you should always call your vet if you’re unsure of how to care for your pet in the case of severe issues.
What to Look For
First, examine your dog’s behavior and think about his health history. If he is prone to ear infections or has shown some of these vital signs, you’ll want an effective and strong form of treatment on deck at all times.
On the other hand, if your dog has never had an ear infection or shown any of the signs of discomfort, purchase something milder than you can use to maintain clean ears year-round.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!