Good grooming habits are imperative for the maintenance of good health in any pet. Keeping your dog’s ears clean is one such habit. Some environments faster the growth of yeast or other harmful bacteria that may end up the insides of your dog’s ears which is why you ought to keep them regularly cleaned.
Cleaning the dog’s ears is no mean feat because first of all the structure of the ear canal is a difficult one to maneuver. Secondly, the sensitivity of that part may cause your dog not to cooperate every time you try to touch his ear. However, medicated dog ear cleaners are now available to lighten this burden for you.
In today’s post, we will look at some of them to help you make an informed purchase decision. But first, let’s explore some of the reasons why you need to adopt the ear-cleaning practice.
Why Do Dogs Need to Have Their Ears Cleaned?
Some dogs can never miss their regular ear cleanup while others could go a whole lifetime without ever needing one. This is mostly because of the difference in breed type that makes others more susceptible to infections than others.
All the same, ear hygiene is not a thing to be ignored in canines because they have deeper ear canals with several corners and crevices good enough to become a breeding ground for yeast or bacteria. When this happens you get an infection at best and hearing impairment at worst.
Some of the major signs of ear infections include extreme itchiness, discharge, bad odor, swelling around the ear and production of excessive ear wax. Therefore, if a dog’s ears are not cleaned often, you will always be one trip away from visiting the vet.
Now that you are well acquainted with the basics, here are some of the dog ear cleaners that we recommend:
#1) Pet MD- Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes
Pet MD wipes are best for pooches that have expressed their utter displeasure at the use of liquid drops in their ears. These wipes are good for keeping the outer parts of the ear clean and delaying the onset of infection by clearing debris or wax that has collected dirt. They contain eucalyptus oil and aloe vera extract to deodorize and moisturize alongside lactic and salicylic acid that carry anti-fungal properties.
This product is also alcohol-free for reduced chances of irritation. Your dog will love it when you gently massage their ears during cleaning and will come running when it is time for another cleanup round. You will also be happy to note that Pet MD- Dog Ear Wipes is a vet-formulated product so perfectly safe to use on your fur friend.
Highlights
- Enriched with anti-fungal acids
- Keep ear skin soft, clean and moisturized
- Vet-formulated product made with easy to dispose of sheets
- Ideal for dogs aged 12 months and over
#2) Zymox Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment
Pet King Brand is a giant in the manufacture of pet health products. ZymoxOtic Pet Ear Treatment has benefited many dogs around the world with the patented LP3 System that boasts anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial characteristics.
It is composed of lysozyme that works to destroy microbe metabolism alongside lactoperoxidase that destroys and inhibits the further formation of the microbe’s wall.
To complete the system is lactoferrin which kills harmful microorganisms by iron deprivation. This brand is a firm believer in doing no harm which is why this ear cleaner has no side effects like those experienced with the use of ordinary antibiotics. It is formulated especially for dogs with persistent ear infections.
There are two options when it comes to this ear cleaner: one with hydrocortisone and the other without. Hydrocortisone is known to relieve itching but it is recommended that you do not administer it to pregnant, lactating, or dogs with sensitivity to such steroids.
Another advantage of this product is that you do not need to pre-clean your dog’s ears before application. Pre-cleaning can cause distress to your buddy they might even resist the next application which is something you do not want.
Highlights
- Promotes good ear health for dogs of all ages
- Patented LP3 enzyme formulation to fight microbial growth
- Has no adverse side effects
- Convenient choice. No ear pre-cleaning required
#3) BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment
Do not wait until your dog starts shaking his head vigorously for you to begin ear cleaning. Start today with BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment, with triple protection against all bacteria, yeast and fungi lurking in the insides of your dog’s ears.
This medicated ear cleaner offers remedies against other conditions such as flaky skin and rashes. Once it drops and flows to the inner parts there is no stinging sensation only a soothing aloe vera touch.
Ear infections are a common contributor to foul-smelling ears. Thankfully, this product has deodorant properties to mask this smell as it works on flushing bacteria out.
If your dog loves a good swim you will find this product useful in ear cleaning especially after they are done interacting with the water. The pointed tip of the bottle makes the application easy.
Highlights
- Triple protection against ear infections
- Contains aloe vera to soothe the ear canal
- Deodorizes skin for odor control in case of an infection
- No stinging sensation during or after application
#4) Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse for Dogs
Whether pointed, floppy or rose ears, this medicated cleaner is a sure bet protection for all breed types. Your four-legged friend gets shielded from eczema, fungus and even against insect bites.
There is added relief for itchiness so no more scratching against floors and trees. It contains denatured alcohol to keep the medicine sterilized, aloe vera to reduce inflammation and salicylic acid to reduce the build-up of any debris for open pores.
While it is true that there are many brands producing the best medicated dog ear cleaners when you come across one formulated by a team of vets, you are confident it will work as intended.
Highlights
- Quality ear cleanser that is harsh on bacteria and gentle on the skin
- Contains alcohol for sterility, aloe vera to reduce inflammation and salicylic acid to keep pores open
- Ideal for insect bites
- Formulated by a team of vets therefore can be trusted
#5) ZymoxEnzymatic Ear Solution
Medicated dog ear cleaners combine dirt removal with antifungal or antibacterial properties to keep your furball in good ear health. Zymox ear cleaner does this perfectly through its proprietary LP3 system that draws and kills impurities from the ear canal. Active ingredients present soothe irritation and give relief to inflammation.
They go further and act as a great defense against microbial growth that has been proven to show improvement in just a few days for the mild ear issues while the chronic issues take a little longer to heal but once healed, they do not recur.
This dog ear cleaner causes the body to react with the harmful secretion, for example, presents pus in the canal to kill all harmful microorganisms and clear up debris build up in the ear. You need not clean the ears before you squeeze this solution. It is a non-toxic product that offers a good alternative to antibiotics.
Highlights
- Cleans and disinfects the ear surfaces
- Contains the LP3 enzymatic system that inhibits microbial growth
- A non-toxic solution that helps reduce secretions building up within the ear
- Efficient ear cleaner that is good for use over extended periods
#6) Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder
Our canine friends require a perfect dry-moist balance inside their ears. If too dry, they could itch causing injury to the delicate part of the ear and if they exceed the moist level required it gives bacteria a lovely home to breed. So it is important to keep a good balance in there which is why you have Gold Groomers Ear Powder to help strike that balance.
The product comes with drying agents that restore wet ears to normal conditions. Like many other medicated dog cleaners, it contains bacterial fighting power to ward off infections to the ear. Being lightly scented combats any present odors without having to prick your nose or that of your furball.
Another remarkable feature about this product is that it helps with plucking dog ear hair by providing a firm grip. Some breeds have a little too long hairs that have been suspected to tickle the insides of the ear while others harbor too much wax or debris to the disadvantage of your pet.
Highlights
- Maintains a good wet-dry balance in the ear
- Contains bacteria-fighting ingredients
- Helps by providing a firm grip on ear hairs during plucking
- Lightly scented to combat odors
#7) PetHonesty Dog Ear Cleaner & Ear Infection Treatment
PetHonesty has not been around the block for a long time but is giving competitors a run for their money through their top-notch products. With this medicated cleaner they have helped clear up tons of dog’s hearing pathways PetHonesty Dog Ear Cleaner & Ear Infection Treatment contains benzoic acid that flushes out bugs clogged in the ear nooks plus salicylic acid reduces odor, itchiness, or inflammation.
Together the two form a non-irritant solution for regular ear cleaning and relief for pesky ear infections. This health product maintains a good PH balance in the ear and is great for use after water activities.
Did you know that a chronic ear infection could make chewing difficult for your pup? If your pooch is experiencing this, PetHonesty includes aloe in the solution to soothe the pain. Aloe is also great for keeping skin hydrated.
Highlights
- Formulated with acids that flush out bugs, excessive wax or debris build-up in and outside the ear
- A non-irritant solution that can be used even in dogs with allergies
- Maintains good PH balance in the ear
- Ideal for dogs with itchy or inflamed ears
#8) PetArmor Ear Mite and Tick Treatment for Dogs
Ticks and mites, both members of the arachnid family, are notorious lot when it comes to dog ear infections. They feed on ear wax, oils and the bites they leave could get infected causing a lot of itching, inflammation, or soreness.
If you are a pet parent that loves taking your four-legged friend outdoors for walks and lately they are constantly pawing their ears, chances are they have mite or tick infestation.
Specially formulated with pyrethrin PetArmor Ear Mite and Tick Treatment for Dogs is made for flea treatment. It also has aloe for soothing relief. This product works well with pups that are over 12 weeks old. Do not be tempted to use this ear treatment on other parts of the body to treat flea infections because it is made to function on the ear only.
Highlights
- Reliefs itching
- Is packed with aloe to soothe infected areas
- Ideal for dogs of over 12 weeks
- Formulated for ear use only
#9) VetOrganics EcoEars Dog Ear Cleaners
This product closes our list of medicated dog ear cleaners. Unlike most ear cleaners, this one is focused on the use of natural ingredients in its formulation. Extracts from tea tree oil, rosemary and fingerroot extract have been used to increase repellency against harmful microorganisms.
Vegetable oil is added for good ear hydration along with witch hazel extract to soothe inflammation and dry up any discharge. For a quality product that cleans and treats, run to VetOrganics EcoEars Dog Ear Cleaner.
Highlights
- All-natural dog ear cleaner combining plant extracts for great ear health
- Uses vegetable oil and witch hazel to hydrate and soothe
- Reduces odor and discharge
- Not for use on open wounds
Further Reading
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Best Medicated Dog Ear Cleaners Buying Guide & FAQs
Considerations When Choosing Medicated Dog Ear Cleaners
Purpose
Depending on why you require the dog cleaner, the type will always vary. For regular cleaning a gentle solution is okay but for a yeast occurrence, you might need a cleaner with antifungal properties. In the case of bacteria, you want to look for an antibiotic one but always with a prescription from a vet.
Active Ingredients
The components used in the ear cleaners matter and are closely tied to the purpose you are getting the drug for. Some are too strong to be used as a regular cleaner if at all your dog has no ear problems.
Others are mild so they will not help heal an ailing ear. Some active ingredients are good for inflammation and others for itchiness. If you do not know how to tell apart components, you can look them up or consult your vet.
Type
Dog ear cleaners can be classified into wipes and liquid solutions with each bearing its fair share of pros and cons. Wipes will leave a little mess, are less irritating but do not go deep enough for comprehensive cleaning.
Liquid solutions on the other hand create more mess but reach the deeper parts much better. Some possess strong scents that could irritate your doggy’s nose. A good dog ear cleaner should have a scent just enough to mask any bad smells, if any, coming out of the ear.
Read: Best Dog Detangler Sprays
How Do I Clean My Dog’s Ears?
Here is a simple guide to teach you how
Step-By-Step Guide for Dog Ear Cleaning
- Ensure your pooch is calm composed and in a well-lit area. Sit him on the floor with his body against the wall and you on one side. A corner works best. Alternatively, he can have his tail and the rest of his rear between your legs.
- The next part may not be taken kindly so want to need to open your drawer theatrics to distract the dog a little. Or have someone else pest his stomach or body in reassurance. Grab one ear and hold it up to expose the ear canal and have the path set straight.
- With some clean cotton wipes, wipe the external parts well. Once this is done, grab the drops while still holding the ear flap and vertically squeeze a drop or two depending on prescribed instructions. Try not to have the tip of the bottle touch your dog’s ears to control bacterial infection spread in case there is any. For they touch the tip with cotton or otic wipes
- Continue to hold the ear in some position as you massage the lower part so that the solution can bypass the debris in the anal.
- Loosen up your grip and allow the pup to shake his head to drain excess fluid. This will happen almost naturally.
- Hold his flap again, wipe clean the solution spilled outside the ear and clean up any debris coming out of the ear with a clean cotton wipe. Do not go too deep though just as far as you can reach with your fingers.
- Have treats on standby to appreciate your dog’s operation during the process.
- Repeat the process if recommended by the vet and take your pooch for a check-up in case he seemed to be in extreme pain during the cleaning process.
Related Post: Best Dog Flea Shampoo
FAQs on Medicated Dog Ear Cleaners
Q: How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?
If the pooch has no ear issues it could go a long time without requiring a cleanup. However, it is prescribed to clean once a month. For those with ear infections, they may require cleaning daily or several times a day depending on the prescription.
Q: When Should I Take my Dog to the Vet for an Ear Infection?
It is always advisable to call your vet first whenever you suspect an infection then take them for swabs and tests. When itching is constant to the point the dog is injuring himself, unable to chew because of pain or other abnormal behavior rush them to a vet. Do not go switching cleaners based on your diagnosis.
Conclusion
Dogs are social beings and need great ear health to enable them to interact. They also need them for self-protection because of their ability to catch the slightest sound vibrations even in the dead of the night. We have explored several types of medicated ear cleaners to help you keep your dog all ears round the clock.