Course 10 · Ears · Lesson 5 of 12

How do you clean ears on a floppy-eared dog?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Clean ears on a floppy eared dog by lifting the flap gently to let air reach the ear, checking the outer ear and canal entrance in good light, wiping the visible outer ear gently, and drying the ear carefully, especially after bathing or swimming. Floppy ears cover the canal entrance, holding warmth and moisture, which can encourage wax build up and create conditions where problems develop more easily. Regular lifting, checking, gentle cleaning and drying counteract that warmth and moisture, without inserting anything into the canal. The routine is the same outer ear only routine as for any dog, with extra attention to air, moisture and the skin under the flap.

Why do floppy ears need extra attention?

Floppy ears fold over the canal entrance, reducing airflow and trapping warm, moist air against the skin. That environment can keep wax soft, hold debris, and make the ear slower to dry after bathing, swimming or rain. The flap itself can also trap dirt and moisture underneath, and the skin under the flap, at the base of the ear, can become sore or matted where the flap rubs. Dogs with long, heavy, feathered floppy ears, such as spaniels and hounds, often have more hair around the ear, which can trap moisture and debris further. Extra attention does not mean more vigorous cleaning or deeper cleaning. It means more frequent checks, more careful drying, and a routine that lifts the flap for air and inspection, so problems are seen early.

How do you lift and air a floppy ear?

Lift the flap gently upwards and slightly outwards, holding it for a few seconds while you look and let air reach the canal entrance, then release it naturally. Do this during a check, after a bath, and as part of brushing, so the dog becomes accustomed to the flap being lifted calmly. Do not fold the flap back hard or hold it up long, which can strain the ear. Do not use a hair dryer on a hot setting to dry under a flap, and do not leave a floppy ear damp under the flap after bathing. Airing is a brief, gentle lift, not a prolonged exposure, and it should be paired with praise for settling. If the dog objects to the flap being lifted, build the handling gradually, with brief lifts and rewards, and seek advice if the ear is sore.

How do you clean and dry a floppy ear?

After the pre cleaning check in Lesson 2, wipe the visible outer ear, folds and entrance gently with a pad dampened with a suitable cleaner, using a fresh pad for each ear, and never inserting anything into the canal. Pay attention to the folds under the flap, where wax and dirt collect, but wipe only what you can see, with light pressure. Dry the outer ear and under the flap gently with a dry pad or towel, because moisture left under a flap is the main problem for floppy ears. After bathing or swimming, dry the flap, under the flap and the entrance carefully, with a towel, and lift the flap briefly to let air reach the ear, before the dog lies down or goes to sleep with a damp ear. Check the ear again once dry, because drying can reveal redness, a sore or debris that was hidden when the ear was wet.

How do you manage hair and mats around floppy ears?

Brush the hair on and around the ear regularly, combing the feathering and the hair at the base, where mats form from rubbing, collars and harnesses. Keep the hair at the base brushed out, so the skin can be seen and checked, and so moisture does not sit in a mat. Do not cut a mat at the base of the ear with scissors, as Lesson 8 in the scissors course explains, because skin is easily caught. Do not pull hair from the canal, and do not trim hair at the canal entrance at home without hands-on guidance. If a mat is tight, if the skin underneath is red or sore, or if hair is matted to the flap, leave it and ask a groomer for advice. A groomer can assess the mat, check the skin, and advise on brushing and trimming that suits the ear shape and coat.

How often should floppy ears be checked?

Check floppy ears at least weekly, and more often if the dog swims, is bathed frequently, has a history of ear problems, or has very heavy, hairy ears. Check after every swim or bath, check in warm, humid weather, and check whenever the dog shakes its head, scratches, or shows discomfort. A weekly check, with gentle cleaning only when the outer ear is dirty, and drying after water exposure, is a sustainable routine that catches change early. Overcleaning a floppy ear, with frequent, vigorous wiping, can irritate skin and make the ear worse, so check often, clean gently and only when needed, and refer promptly when a warning sign appears. Frequency of checking is protective. Frequency of cleaning is not, unless the ear is dirty.

What should a floppy ear check include?

Use this short checklist at each check, so warmth and moisture are not missed:

1. Flap lifted gently, entrance and folds seen in good light.
2. Smell, heat, swelling and tenderness checked, both ears compared.
3. Outer ear wiped only if dirty, then dried under the flap.
4. Hair at the base brushed out, with mats left for a groomer.
5. Any warning sign noted, with cleaning stopped and vet advice sought.

Stop and get help: when does a floppy ear need a vet?

A floppy ear needs a vet promptly when there is a strong smell, discharge, redness, swelling, heat, pain, a sore or lump, head shaking, scratching, head tilt, or a dog that will not let the ear be lifted or touched. It also needs a vet when an ear remains damp and smelly despite drying, when wax builds up rapidly, or when the dog has repeated ear problems, because repeated problems need a vet plan, not repeated home cleaning. Do not clean deeper, do not apply a new product, and do not try to dry the canal with a dryer, a cotton bud or any inserted object. Tell the vet the ear shape, the swimming or bathing history, what you saw and smelled, and how often the problem has occurred. Floppy ears reward regular, gentle, observant care, and prompt referral when that care finds something wrong.

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