The 10 Best Dog Ear Cleaners
Special Honors
Today's Veterinary Practice As an official subscription-based journal of the North American Veterinary Community, Today's Veterinary Practice offers peer-reviewed clinical information in veterinary medicine that is designed to enhance knowledge and improve the quality of care provided to animals. The publication is released six times per year and covers a wide variety of topics, from ear cleaning to canine influenza and effective client diagnoses. todaysveterinarypractice.com
VetRxDirect VetRxDirect is an online retailer and pharmacy service provider that works directly with licensed veterinarians to ensure the proper delivery of prescription drugs to both dogs and cats. The website offers customers a variety of shipping methods, an auto delivery program for its over-the-counter medications, and the ability to create an account, make purchases, and track order status. Among its many products is Claro Otic Solution, which eliminates infection-causing bacteria and yeast in the canine ear, while reducing swelling and redness over the course of 30 days. vetrxdirect.com
Editor's Notes
May 11, 2020:
Depending on the breed, some dogs are simply prone to developing ear infections. As an owner of standard poodles, I've dealt with many ear infections over the years and have learned to diagnose the symptoms. These can include redness, itchiness, oily discharge, and that really dark and waxy goop that comes out when I attempt to clean my pets' ears with a cotton ball. The goop is usually a sign that there's a pretty strong infection brewing in those ear canals. Sometimes, the ears are just a little dirty, so a quick rinse with an over-the-counter cleaner can help prevent the onset of more serious symptoms that could otherwise require a trip to the vet. Our hope is that this list of cleaners will help you knock out a serious infection before it has a chance to fester. We've included a variety of solutions with a mix of powerful ingredients designed to dissolve wax from within the canals, fight bacteria, and promote healthy skin in sensitive areas.
The Pet King Zymox Otic contains hydrocortisone, which helps to relieve itching, and it uses a patented antimicrobial enzyme system to disinfect the external area around the ear canals, reducing inflammation and preventing the accumulation of bacteria. It can do its job without any pre-cleaning or pairing with an antibiotic. It's also safe for use on cats. Both Mister Ben's Ear Tonic and NaturVet Ear Wash leverage aloe to remain gentle on your pup's skin, the latter of which offers tea tree oil and the pleasant scent of baby powder. The last thing you want is to fill your pooch's ear canals with something that smells almost as nasty as the problem itself.
The neutral pH level of Virbac EpiOtic Advanced means it won't be harsh on the skin when applied, while the inclusion of monosaccharides allows it to act as an anti-adhesive, preventing the buildup of excess wax.
We've also included Vet Organics EcoEars for its hypoallergenic properties and use of natural herbs and essential oils to break down and flush out debris.
Bodhi Dog Cleaner is a useful option if your pup has particularly stinky ears and suffers from yeast infections. The eucalyptus extract works to remove wax while acting as a natural deodorizer.
Also added is Rubold Cat and Dog, which contains a blend of coconut, palm, and citrus extracts to gently condition and rejuvenate Fido's ears.