Course 10 · Ears · Lesson 7 of 12
How often should ears be checked and cleaned?
Check ears weekly, clean only when the outer ear is dirty, and check again after bathing, swimming or any warning sign.
Check ears weekly, clean the outer ear only when it is dirty, and check again after bathing, swimming, a walk in dusty or wet conditions, or any sign of head shaking, scratching or discomfort. Checking often and cleaning only when needed is safer than cleaning on a fixed, frequent schedule, because overcleaning can irritate healthy skin, strip natural protection and hide a problem by removing the very wax and discharge that would warn you. The routine should be observant first and active second: look, smell, feel, note, and clean gently only if the outer ear needs it and the check shows no warning sign.
Why is checking more important than cleaning?
Checking finds change early, while cleaning removes evidence. A weekly check shows whether wax is building up, whether one ear differs from the other, whether smell or redness is developing, and whether the dog is comfortable with handling. Cleaning, by contrast, should be a response to dirt or wax on the visible outer ear, not a routine that happens regardless of need. An ear that is clean, calm and odour free does not need cleaning, and wiping it repeatedly can irritate the skin and make the dog dislike ear handling. An ear that is dirty, waxy or smelly needs a check first, to decide whether cleaning is suitable or whether a vet is needed, because cleaning a sore or infected ear can cause pain and delay treatment. Make checking the habit, and cleaning the exception that follows a check.
How often should different dogs be checked?
Most dogs benefit from a weekly check, as part of brushing or grooming, with both ears compared and noted. Floppy eared, hairy eared, swimming, or allergy prone dogs, and dogs with a history of ear problems, benefit from more frequent checks, such as twice weekly, and from a check after every swim or bath. Dogs with upright, short haired ears, no history of problems, and little water exposure may need only a weekly check and occasional cleaning, but they should still be checked weekly, because problems can develop without obvious signs. Puppies should be checked often, gently, as part of learning to accept handling, even if cleaning is rarely needed. Older dogs, dogs with skin conditions, and dogs on a vet ear plan should follow the vet plan, which may specify a different checking and cleaning frequency for that dog. The vet plan, where one exists, overrides general guidance.
When should ears be cleaned, and when should they be left alone?
Clean the outer ear gently when the check shows visible dirt or a small amount of wax on the outer ear, the ear looks healthy, smells normal, and the dog is comfortable. Leave ears alone, and seek veterinary advice, when the check shows a strong smell, discharge, redness, swelling, pain, a sore, a lump, or a dog that objects to handling. Leave ears alone also when the ear has been cleaned recently and is already clean, when the dog is unwell, or when a vet has advised against home cleaning. After bathing or swimming, dry the ears and check them, but do not clean them with a product unless the outer ear is dirty and the check is clear. Drying is not cleaning, and it should happen after every water exposure, while product cleaning should happen only when needed.
Use this frequency table as a starting point, adjusted to the dog and to vet advice:
| Dog and situation | Check | Clean outer ear |
|---|---|---|
| Most adult dogs | Weekly | Only when dirty, after a clear check |
| Floppy, hairy, swimming or allergy prone dogs | Twice weekly, plus after water | Only when dirty, after a clear check |
| Puppies, handling training | Often, brief and gentle | Rarely, only if dirty and comfortable |
| Dogs on a vet ear plan | As the vet directs | As the vet directs, with the vet product |
| Any warning sign | At once, then vet advice | Do not clean, seek vet advice |
How do you keep a checking routine going?
Keep the routine simple, brief and tied to an existing habit, such as brushing, so it is not forgotten. Keep a notebook or a note on a phone, with the date, both ears, what was seen, smelled and felt, and whether cleaning was done or postponed. Keep the check calm and rewarding, with praise for settling, and keep it short, so the dog learns that ear checks are normal and brief. If a check is missed, do not compensate by cleaning more vigorously next time. Check normally, clean only if needed, and return to the routine. A routine that is kept, with notes that show patterns, is more protective than an intensive routine that is abandoned after a difficult session.
When does frequency need veterinary guidance?
Frequency needs veterinary guidance when a dog has repeated ear problems, a diagnosed skin or allergy condition, a history of ear infection, or ears that become dirty, waxy or smelly quickly despite gentle care. A vet can examine the canal, agree a checking and cleaning plan, recommend a suitable product, and set a review date, so home care supports treatment rather than delaying it. Do not increase cleaning frequency on your own in response to a recurring problem, because more cleaning can irritate an already troubled ear and mask the pattern a vet needs to see. Check often, note carefully, clean only when the outer ear is dirty and healthy, and let a vet set the frequency when ears are not staying healthy on a general routine. Regular, observant checking, with prompt referral, is the heart of home ear care.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club: grooming guidance
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: dog care guidance
- British Veterinary Association: pet care guidance