Most healthy dogs don't need their ears cleaned on a schedule. A quick look and sniff once a week is enough, and cleaning is only needed when you can see dirt or wax. Floppy-eared, hairy-eared and swimming dogs may need a little more. Redness, a strong smell or head shaking means a vet visit, not a clean.
How do I tell if my dog's ears are healthy?
Healthy ears are pale pink inside, clean and dry, with little or no smell. A small amount of light tan wax is normal. Your dog should let you lift the ear flap and look without flinching, and they shouldn't be scratching at their ears or shaking their head more than usual.
Make the check part of your week. Lift the flap, look at the skin, and take a gentle sniff. Knowing what normal looks like for your dog is the whole point, because the first sign of trouble is almost always a change: a darker colour, a new smell, or a dog who suddenly doesn't want that ear touched.
How often should I clean them?
For a dog with healthy ears, only when they're visibly dirty. Ears clean themselves to a surprising degree, and over-cleaning can irritate the skin and upset the balance that keeps the canal healthy. Cleaning on a fixed schedule "just in case" often causes more trouble than it prevents.
Some dogs do need more attention. Floppy ears trap warmth and moisture, which is why spaniels, cavoodles and many poodle crosses are more prone to build-up. Dogs with hair growing in the ear canal can collect wax more easily. And Perth is a swimming city: dogs that spend summer weekends at the beach or the river, or that are bathed often, carry moisture into their ears that needs drying afterwards. Spring can bring itchy, allergy-prone ears too. If any of this sounds like your dog, check more often, and clean only what you can see.
How do I clean my dog's ears safely at home?
Keep it gentle and shallow. Use a cleaner made for dogs, apply it to the outer part of the ear as directed on the label, massage the base of the ear for a few seconds, then let your dog shake. Wipe away what comes out with a soft cotton pad or gauze. Never push anything down into the canal, and skip cotton buds altogether: they pack wax deeper and can hurt.
Stop straight away if your dog yelps, pulls away or the ear looks sore. A painful ear needs a vet, not a bottle. If you'd rather leave it to the team, ear cleaning is part of our Wellness Club hygiene visits, and a regular brush at home keeps the coat around the ears from knotting in between.
What signs mean it's time to see a vet?
Cleaning is for ordinary dirt. It isn't a treatment. See your vet if you notice head shaking or scratching that won't settle, redness or swelling, a sour or musty smell, dark or yellow discharge, a head held to one side, or a dog who cries when the ear is touched. Don't clean first: it can hide the signs and make the ear more painful.
Spring brings a Perth-specific risk. Grass seeds can work their way into an ear canal after a walk through long grass, and the result is sudden, frantic head shaking or a tilted head. That one can't wait. Call your vet the same day. We're groomers, not vets, so if our team notices something unusual at a visit, we'll point it out and suggest you have it checked.
What do groomers do about ears?
Ears are part of the routine hygiene work at a Wellness Club visit, alongside the bath, nails, teeth and paws, and they're scored on the Wellness Report Card each time. Over a few months, that record shows whether ears are staying steady or drifting. Groomers also see the coat around the ears, where matting often starts behind the ear flap. If that sounds familiar, our guide on why groomers clip a matted coat explains why we step in early.
You can book hygiene visits or full grooms at Jandakot and O'Connor for all sizes. Byford takes small to medium dogs up to about 17kg, by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use cotton buds to clean my dog's ears?
No. Cotton buds push wax and debris further down the canal and can damage the delicate skin. Use a soft cotton pad or gauze on the visible outer part of the ear only, and leave anything deeper to your vet.
Why do my dog's ears smell?
A mild, slightly waxy smell can be normal. A sour, musty or strong smell, especially with redness, discharge or scratching, can be a sign of infection or irritation. Don't try to clean it away: see your vet.
Should I clean my dog's ears after swimming or a bath?
Dry them gently with a towel or soft pad, especially on floppy-eared dogs, so moisture isn't left sitting in the ear. Only clean if you can see dirt or wax. If the ears stay damp, smelly or itchy afterwards, check in with your vet.
Can I clean my dog's ears if they're already red or itchy?
No. Red, itchy or painful ears need to be seen by a vet first. Cleaning an inflamed ear can hurt and can hide the signs the vet needs to see.
Keep ears, nails and teeth on track
Book a groom or Wellness Club visit at Jandakot, O'Connor or Byford.
More advice: Looking after your dog's teeth · Dog nail care · Is a Wellness Club visit worth it between grooms?