Have you ever looked at your dog or cat's ears? Not only are they crucial for balance and hearing , but they also serve as an important indicator of their health. A bad smell, redness, excessive wax production, or unusual behavior such as insistent scratching, shaking the head, or rubbing against furniture and carpets... these are all signs that something is wrong.
Ears are delicate and vulnerable areas that require regular care. Thorough cleaning is not just a matter of aesthetics or “ good hygiene,” but is an act of prevention to avoid infections, ear infections, and persistent discomfort that threaten the daily well-being of your four-legged friends.
You don't need to do it every day; in fact, cleaning your dog or cat's ears too often can be harmful. But knowing when is the right time and how to intervene correctly and delicately makes all the difference. And then there are the products: they must be effective against bacteria and impurities, but also respectful of the pH and sensitivity of their skin.
In this article we explain everything to you.
Ear Cleaning for Dogs and Cats: Is It Really Necessary?
The short answer is: it depends . Not all dogs and cats need their ears cleaned at the same frequency. Some animals produce very little wax and never show signs of discomfort; others, however, are more prone to buildup, bad odors, irritation, or even outright infections.
Cleaning your ears should never be an automatic habit , but a practice to be done only when necessary and with the right attention.
How to Know When to Clean Your Dog or Cat's Ears?
There are some signs that can help you:
- Does your pet often shake his head or scratch his ears?
- Have you noticed an unpleasant odor coming from your ear?
- Is there an abnormal production of earwax, dark or sticky?
- Do your ears appear red or inflamed?
- Does your dog or cat get annoyed if you try to touch its ears?
In all these cases, it is best to intervene with a delicate cleaning. But be careful: if the symptoms persist or worsen, it is always best to consult the vet.
The golden rule is simple: good ear cleaning is for prevention , not cure. If done correctly, with gentle and safe products, it can really make a difference in the well-being of your furry companion.
Dogs and cats are not all the same
When it comes to ears, shape and breed really make a difference.
Do you have a dog with floppy ears , like a cocker spaniel or basset hound? Then you know how easily ears can become a perfect environment for moisture, bacteria, and yeast. Stuffy, poorly ventilated ears tend to “ retain” dirt and moisture, increasing the risk of infection.
On the contrary, dogs with erect ears – such as German Shepherds or Jack Russells – have a more airy auricle, but this does not mean they are immune to problems. Dust and foreign bodies (such as grass seeds or sand) can easily penetrate the ear canal and cause irritation.
The same goes for cats. Long-haired breeds or those with large ears (like Maine Coons or Sphynxes) can accumulate more dirt than others. And if mites or infections arise, the itching can become unbearable.
In short, every animal is different and needs personalized attention . Observing its habits, knowing the characteristics of its breed and intervening when necessary - with delicacy and the right products - is the first step to guarantee safe hygiene and lasting well-being for your animal.
What NOT to Use to Clean Your Dog's and Cat's Ears
When it comes to ear cleaning, “ do it yourself” can do more harm than good . Even with the best intentions, using the wrong products or tools can irritate, damage, or even make the situation worse.
Let's start with the classic cotton buds . No, they are not suitable for ear use , neither for us nor for our animal friends. Inserting them into the ear canal can push the earwax even deeper, cause trauma and increase the risk of infections.
Another common mistake? Using vinegar, alcohol or aggressive chemical-based disinfectant solutions . Vinegar, for example, is often recommended in old wives' remedies, but its pH is too acidic for the sensitive skin of dogs and cats and has no real disinfectant properties. Alcohol , on the other hand, dries and irritates, causing burning and inflammation.
Vinegar is not even good for washing your dog, did you know that?
Even essential oils , if not formulated in specific and dermatologically tested products, can be dangerous: their scent can be unpleasant for the animal, and some substances are even toxic for cats.
The truth is simple: to clean the ears you need products formulated specifically , delicate, non-irritating, effective against germs and bacteria but at the same time safe even if used frequently. And if they are natural, even better. Because when it comes to the health of our animal friends, there is no room for experiments.
Does your pet have dirty ears? Here's how to clean them SAFELY
Cleaning your dog or cat's ears may seem complicated, but with the right precautions it becomes a simple and useful gesture.
First of all, create a calm environment: your pet must feel at ease. You can start with a few caresses and a reassuring word, to transform cleaning into a moment of cuddles and trust.
What do you need? A specific product for ear hygiene , which is delicate, non-toxic and possibly natural . Avoid aggressive disinfectants or do-it-yourself solutions: the risk of irritating the skin is high, especially in such sensitive areas. Hypochlorous acid, for example, is an excellent alternative: it eliminates germs and bacteria effectively, but is also safe on delicate skin , such as that of puppies or animals with dermatological problems.
Apply a small amount of product to a soft gauze (never directly into the ear!) and gently clean the outer pavilion. If the product is in spray form, spray it onto a gauze and never directly into the ear, unless directed by your veterinarian. Never push anything into the ear canal.
After cleaning, reward your friend with a snack or a game. This way he will associate the experience with something positive. With patience and delicacy, cleaning his ears will become a natural routine, useful for his well-being and to further strengthen your bond.
Hypochlorous acid: a natural ally for your pet's daily hygiene
When it comes to cleaning dogs and cats, whether it's their ears, paws or coat in general, one of the most delicate aspects is choosing a product that is truly effective but also safe . This is where hypochlorous acid (HOCl) comes into play, a molecule naturally produced by our body to defend itself from pathogens. And it is precisely this characteristic that makes it an extraordinary ally for animal hygiene too.
Hypochlorous acid is a natural broad-spectrum disinfectant : it eliminates bacteria, viruses and fungi in a few seconds, but without attacking the skin or altering the delicate pH of sensitive areas, such as the ears. Unlike alcohol, bleach or vinegar, it does not burn, does not dry, does not irritate. It is completely non-toxic, biodegradable, leaves no residue and can be used without rinsing . In addition, it is dermatologically tested even on sensitive skin, therefore perfect for animals of all breeds and all ages.
Using it in your cleaning routine means offering effective protection , but at the same time gentle, respectful of the skin balance and the environment. A conscious choice that combines effectiveness, sustainability and love for your pet.
Ultimately, taking care of your skin means choosing what to put on your skin, every day. And with hypochlorous acid , you can do it without compromise.
But where can I find hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is a substance that our bodies naturally produce – yes, even our four-legged friends’ – whenever the immune system has to fight an infection. It is one of the most powerful defense mechanisms we have at our disposal, but until recently, reproducing it outside the body was almost impossible .
Ecasan, thanks to a patented and 100% green technological process, has managed to recreate hypochlorous acid in the laboratory , starting from just three natural ingredients: water, salt and electricity.
The result? A highly sanitizing solution, completely non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals , ideal for the daily hygiene of the whole family, including animals.
This is how the heart of Ecasan products is born: a perfect balance between science and nature, to offer you effective, safe and sustainable protection .
When to contact the vet
There are situations in which cleaning the ears is not enough, in fact, insisting can worsen the problem . If you notice that your dog or cat scratches insistently, shakes his head often, feels pain when you touch the ears, or if intense redness, bad odors, swelling or dark secretions appear, it is time to contact the vet.
These symptoms could indicate an ongoing infection, the presence of mites, fungi or bacteria , or a foreign body inside the ear canal. In these cases, only a professional can make a correct diagnosis and indicate the appropriate therapy.
A very common mistake is to think that you can solve everything yourself, perhaps with home or non-specific products. In reality, if the ear is already inflamed, even a delicate detergent can be irritating. Do not improvise : better one more visit, than one more complication.
Do you want to take care of your pet the right way, every day?
Proper hygiene is the first step to ensure well-being and prevent annoying disorders such as infections, irritations and bad odors. But "cleaning" is not enough: you need to know when, how and with what to do it , effectively and safely.
If you want to learn more about the topic, download our free guide to natural hygiene : inside you will find an entire chapter dedicated to the care of our animal friends, with practical advice, mistakes to avoid and truly effective natural solutions.
