How to Clean Your Dog's or Cat's Ears

Last updated: August 02, 2016

Regularly cleaning your pet's ears is crucial for ear health and can help prevent ear disease, ear infection and ear mites.

Ear Cleaning Steps

1. Grasp the flap of the ear and gently pull up while filling with ear cleaner such as Vet Basics^® General Ear Cleanser . Fill the ear until it is coming out of the ear; you can never put too much ear cleanser in the ear. Be aware that they may shake their head as the cleanser is going into their ear canal.


2. Massage at the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds to get the cleanser deep down in the ear. Massage the debris loose from the wall of the ear canal; allow the animal to shake its head to remove excess fluid. You may want to go outside to clean ears or hold a towel up to catch flying cleaner when they shake!


3. Take a cotton ball and wipe the loose debris and excess fluid out of the ear. Continue this process until the cotton ball comes out clean.


4. You will need to put the ear cleanser in the ear more than once the first few times to get all the junk out.

If you need help, call us at 800.786.4751.

-Dr. B
Donald Bramlage, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Former Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health

Donald Bramlage, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, practiced veterinary medicine for 30+ years and is known for his work in managing parvovirus. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1985. He served as Revival's Director of Veterinary Services from 2011 until his retirement in 2019.

The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of your personal veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.