What do groomers use to clean dog's ears?

What Do Groomers Use to Clean Dog's Ears? Secrets You Didn't Know!

Why ear cleaning matters more than you think

Okay, real talk—when was the last time you checked your dog’s ears? Not just a quick glance. I mean really checked for gunk, smell, or redness? (Yeah… that’s what I thought.)

I’ll admit, I used to skip it all the time. My lab, Benny, had these floppy, adorable ears that I figured just “handled themselves.” Big mistake. He ended up with a nasty yeast infection that cost me a small fortune at the vet—and a lot of guilt. So now I pay attention. And guess what? Groomers do too, and they have their little arsenal.

The go-to products groomers actually trust

Ear cleaning solutions (not just any, though)

Most professional groomers use a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner—and no, it’s not the same thing as what you find on sale for $3 at the grocery store. These solutions usually contain:

• Drying agents like isopropyl alcohol (to keep moisture under control)

• Mild antiseptics like chlorhexidine

• Aloe or witch hazel for soothing inflammation

I once bought a lavender-scented one online thinking, “Ooh, fancy!” Turns out, it irritated Benny's ears even more. Lesson learned: scent ≠ good.

Cotton balls—not cotton swabs!

This part always trips people up. Groomers never (and I mean never) stick cotton swabs down into the canal. That’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, they gently wipe with a cotton ball or gauze. Some even wrap it around their finger for better control.

My groomer friend Lena said, “One client kept using Q-tips and wondered why their dog yelped every time. People forget dogs' ears are L-shaped, not straight like ours.”

Step-by-step: How pros clean a dog's ears

Step 1: Inspect before anything

Groomers always start with a look—and a sniff. Any strong odor? Redness? Discharge? If there’s anything weird, they’ll usually skip cleaning and recommend the vet instead.

Honestly, I once tried to “clean away” what turned out to be an ear mite situation. Total rookie mistake. Don’t be me.

Step 2: Fill and massage

They’ll pour or squirt the ear solution gently into the canal (not too much!), then massage the base of the ear for a good 20–30 seconds. You’ll hear a squishy sound. That’s normal—and oddly satisfying.

Step 3: Let the dog shake it out

This part’s chaotic. The dog usually gives a full-body shake and sprays ear goo everywhere. Groomers know it’s coming—they usually step back just in time. Me? First time I did it, I got a face full. Charming.

Step 4: Wipe away debris

Now comes the cotton ball part. Gently wipe away the loosened wax and dirt from the outer ear canal. If it looks clean, you’re good. If not, repeat the process once more—but never overdo it.

What groomers avoid—and you should too

Home remedies (seriously, stop with the vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar? Hydrogen peroxide? I know TikTok loves them, but most groomers roll their eyes. These can irritate, sting, or mess with the ear’s natural balance. Leave them for salad dressings, not your dog’s head.

Ignoring the signs of infection

If your dog keeps scratching one ear, shakes their head constantly, or cries when touched? Don’t reach for the ear cleaner—reach for the vet. Cleaning an infected ear without proper meds can make things worse.

Final thoughts from someone who learned the hard way

I’ll be honest—ear cleaning used to freak me out. I didn’t want to hurt my dog, or worse, mess something up and make it worse. But now? It’s part of our regular grooming routine. It takes 5 minutes, Benny’s ears are healthy, and I feel like a more responsible dog parent.

So yeah, groomers use legit products, gentle techniques, and a lot of common sense. You can totally do it too—just don’t wing it.

And hey, if you’re not sure? Ask your groomer next time. They love showing you the right way (and probably have a hilarious horror story to go with it).

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