The Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions

If you’ve ever noticed dirt and debris in your dog’s ears, then you probably need an ear cleaning solution. Some dogs are more prone to dirty ears than others. For instance, if your dog has floppy ears, then dirt is much more likely to get trapped. However, most dogs will benefit from an ear cleaning solution at least once, even if they have pointed ears.

Keeping your dog’s ears clean is vital for their health. Dirt and grime can lead to ear infections and other ear problems, which can be expensive to treat and painful for your dog. Checking and cleaning your dog’s ears should be a regular part of your routine. While you can just use water for this step, it is often better to use a specially-made formula, especially if your canine is prone to ear infections.

Let’s take a look at some of the top-rated ear cleaning solutions so that you can choose the best option for your canine.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions

#1 Best Overall: Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner

Our best overall choice for a generalized ear cleaner is the Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner.

This is a non-irritating solution that prevents microbes from growing in your dog’s ears. In turn, this can prevent ear infections and similar problems. However, it is also gentle enough to use routinely.

This solution works primarily by helping to remove debris and excessive wax from your dog’s ear canal. However, it also helps reduce bacteria and similar microbes from your dog’s ears as well. This formula has a low pH so it does not interfere with other ear solutions and medications.

The only drawback to this product is that it has a strong perfume smell.

Pros and Cons of the Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner

Best Overall

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner

• Removes wax and debris
• Reduces bacteria and reduces microbes that can cause ear infections
• Non-irritating
• Low pH won't interfere with other ear solutions

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2. Best Anti-Fungal: Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner

For those that need something a bit stronger, you may want to try the Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner.

This ear cleaner features both clorhexidine and ketoconazole, which help combat ear infections, bacteria, yeast, and fungus. If your dog has regular ear problems, these cleaners will help prevent them from occurring. In some cases, this ear cleaner may also help clear minor ear infections and similar problems. However, it’s primary purpose is prevention in dogs prone to this problem.

With aloe vera leaf juice, this formula also helps alleviate itchiness. Because continuous scratching can just make your dog’s ear worse, preventing this behavior is often vital to prevent further infections. When used regularly, this formula can also prevent scaly irritation and dry ears.

Again, the only drawback to this product is that it has a strong odor, although this time customers reported it smelt more like medication than perfume.

Pros and Cons of the Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner

Best Anti-Fungal

Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner

• Contains Clorhexidine and Ketoconazole to help prevent ear infections, bacteria, yeast, and funguses
• May help clear existing minor ear infections
• May help prevent recurring ear infections
• Contains aloe to soothe itchiness
• Used regularly, it can help prevent dry ears and scaly irritation

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3. Best Ear Wipes: Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes

Our selection as the best wipes are the Pet MD Aloe Vera and Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes.

These premoistened wipes are easier to use in some cases than drops or cleaning solutions. They are veterinary formulated to help prevent ear infections and similar problems. However, your dog may not mind these ear wipes quite as much as solutions.

Because they are completely alcohol-free, they should not cause any stinging or pain. However, the solution is very quick-drying, which helps prevent ear problems caused by moisture.

It also includes aloe vera, which moisturizes your dog’s ears. This ingredient can also prevent itchiness and reduce inflammation.

These wipes are especially perfect for situations where you need to quickly clean your dog’s ears. You can also easily throw them in a bag for use on the go.

Unfortunately, these wipes are not suitable for dogs with sensitive skin as some customers have reported that their pets came out in a rash after they used them.

Pros and Cons of the Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes

Best Ear Wipes

Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes

• Premoistened wipes are easier to use than drops or cleaning solutions
• Veterinary formulated to help prevent ear infections and other ear issues
• Alcohol-free so they won't cause stinging or pain
• Quick-drying
• Contains aloe for soothing moisture

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4. Best Medicated: Zymox Otic Dog Ear Infection Treatment with Hydrocortisone

As the best medicated option we recommend the Zymox Otic Dog Ear Infection Treatment with Hydrocortisone.

This product is medicated and contains hydrocortisone which is why it is so much better at reducing infections than other solutions out there. While we don’t recommend completely avoiding the vet in favor of this ear treatment, it may be useful when used alongside your dog’s other medications.

Using this solution is pretty straightforward. You simply add some drops to your dog’s ear and then rub. It contains three different enzymes which are antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. These prevent infections and clear out current ones. It also reduces inflammation, which reduces pain and can help eliminate the infection.

However, this product does leave behind a greasy residue in the dog’s ears after using. Also, some customers said that their dogs shook their heads a lot when they first applied this product.

Pros and Cons of the Zymox Otic Dog Ear Infection Treatment with Hydrocortisone

Best Medicated

Zymox Otic Dog Ear Infection Treatment with Hydrocortisone

• Highly medicated to treat reoccurring ear infections
• Contains three enzymes to reduce microbes in your dog's ears
• Clears current infections and helps prevent future infections
• Hydrocortisone provides fast pain relief and reduces inflammation

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5. Best Ear Cleanse: Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse

As the best ear cleanse we suggest the Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse which is a simple yet effective solution.

This formula is much simpler than formulas we’ve discussed thus far. Instead of containing medications, this formula only works as a cleanser. Therefore, it is a good option for dogs that don’t very severe problems.

It does contain aloe vera, which helps moisturize your dog’s ears. It reduces inflammation, which also helps reduce pain and redness. In many cases, it can also reduce any smelliness coming from your dog’s ear (though this is an obvious sign of ear mites and should not be ignored).

Primarily, this formula is for preventing and eliminating itchiness. Itchiness can be a sign of infection, which these drops do not treat. However, it also reduces the build up of wax and dirt in your dogs ears for an all-round cleanse.

The only complaints that customers had about this product is that it has an strong, slightly unpleasant scent, and the the nozzle sometimes breaks.

Pros and Cons of the Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse

Best Ear Cleanse

Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse

• Designed to cleanse ears, not to treat ear infections
• Formulated to prevent and eliminate itchiness
• Contains aloe vera to moisturize your dog's ears
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces smelliness from dogs' ears

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6. Best Keto Flush: TrizULTRA+ Keto Flush

Our selection as the best keto flush to remove bacteria from your dog’s ears is the TrizULTRA+ Keto Flush.

You can use this formula for dogs, cats, and horses. It has anti-microbial, antibacterial, anti-fungal properties which can remove yeast and bacteria. However, it is not designed to directly eliminate any infection.

This solution is extremally soothing. It can be used as a pre-treatment before your dog’s actual medication, as it provides near-instant relief. It is also completely fragrance-free, which helps eliminate the odds that it will cause a reaction in your pooch.

This formula is extremally gentle and completely non-stinging. You can use it as part of your daily routine, as it is not heavily medicated. The only active ingredient is contains is ketoconazole which has anti-fungal properties.

Pros and Cons of the TrizULTRA+ Keto Flush

Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solution

TrizULTRA+ Keto Flush

• Fragrance-free
• Doesn't contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate your dog's ears
• Cannot treat infections or other ear conditions; for cleaning only

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7. Best with Enzymes: Zymox Veterinary Strength Ear Cleanser

Enzymes can be used to eliminate all sorts of microbes from your dog’s ears. Therefore, while the Zymox Veterinary Strength Ear Cleanser is not technically medicated, it can prevent and help treat infections.

This product contains gentle surfactants that help remove dirt and wax from your dog’s ears. It comes in an easy-to-use bottle. The directions are straightforward, and you can use this formula regularly.

This cleaner contains no harsh chemicals or artificial cleaners. It is extremely safe and gentle, which is exactly what you want when your dog is prone to ear problems. Plus, it is made in the USA, so you can rest assured regarding its safety.

However, this product does leave behind a sticky residue in the ears. Also, some customers have reported that their dogs developed flaky skin in their ears after using it.

Pros and Cons of the Zymox Veterinary Strength Ear Cleanser

Best with Enzymes

Zymox Veterinary Strength Ear Cleanser

• Contains enzymes to help eliminate microbes from your dog's ears
• Gentle surfactants remove wax and dirt
• Easy-to-use bottle
• No harsh chemicals or artificial cleansers
• Non-medicated

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Not all ear cleaners are made the same. In fact, they vary widely in formulation. Therefore, when you’re choosing a cleaner, you need to keep several things in mind. Most importantly, you’ll need to consider the active ingredients, purpose, and gentleness of the formulation.

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in a formulation are going to have a huge role in how well it works. You preferably want active ingredients that line up with the purpose of the cleaner.

An anti-fungal cleanser should have high-quality anti-fungal active ingredients, for instance. However, a gentle, basic cleanser shouldn’t have many active ingredients at all.

Purpose

Ear cleaners are not all designed to do the same thing. Some only clean your dog’s ear and ease inflammation. Others may be highly medicated and designed to treat infections. When shopping, be sure to purchase an option that fits what you need in a cleaner.

Gentleness

If your dog is suffering from repeat infections or ear irritation, the last thing you need is a formula that is also irritating. Therefore, the best formulas are those that act to ease inflammation and itching — not cause it.

Of course, some dogs will be particularly sensitive to cleaners, while others won’t be. Still, it is generally best to choose a gentle formula when possible.

The Different Types of Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions: Pros and Cons

There are two main types of dog ear cleaning solutions: medicated and non-medicated. Each type has their own benefits and potential consequences. Therefore, it is vital to choose the option that is best for your canine.

Let’s take a look at each option so that you’ll have a better idea of which one to get.

• Medicated: These solutions contain medication of some sort to treat a type of infection. Often, they include various types of medication so that they can treat just about anything.
• Non-medicated: These solutions are not nearly as strong as medication formulas. However, they are designed for dogs that just need something to rinse and flush out their ears.

Medicated

Non-Medicated

Up Next

• The Best Ear Drops for Dogs: Reviewed and Ranked
• The Best Dog Wipes: Reviewed
• The Best Dog Shampoos: Reviewed