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9 Best Ear Drops for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

A dog

Ensuring your dog’s ears are healthy is one of the most important aspects of their care. Around 20% of dogs suffer from some kind of painful ear condition.

Because ear problems are so common, many products are aimed at treating or cleaning dogs’ ears. It can be difficult to find the right product, but thankfully, we’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to. Below, we have reviews of the best ear drops for dogs on the market.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
ZYMOX Ear Treatment ZYMOX Ear Treatment
  • Patented enzyme formula
  • Helps fight buildup and infections
  • Non-invasive and no pre-cleaning needed
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Vet’s Best Dog Ear Wash Vet’s Best Dog Ear Wash
  • Gentle and soothing
  • Inexpensive compared to other brands
  • No pre-cleaning needed
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Mister Ben’s Ear Care Kit Mister Ben’s Ear Care Kit
  • Two-part system for extra relief
  • Gentle solution with natural ingredients
  • Doesn’t require a pre-cleaning
  • BEXLEY LABS Dog Ear Infection Treatment BEXLEY LABS Dog Ear Infection Treatment
  • Prescription-grade formula
  • Aloe vera for extra relief
  • Can also be used topically
  • Virbac Ear Cleaner Virbac Ear Cleaner
  • Can be used daily
  • Gently cleans ear
  • The 9 Best Ear Drops for Dogs

    1. ZYMOX 1000 Ear Treatment for Dogs – Best Overall

    ZYMOX

    Check Price on Chewy

    If you’re looking for the best way to clean your dog’s ears, the Zymox 1000 Otic Pet Ear Treatment has one of the strongest solutions on the market.  The patented enzymatic solution naturally cleans and disinfects your dog’s ears without requiring a pre-clean that some drops require.

    Otic Pet Ear Treatment is also strong enough to fight against and prevent conditions that lead to ear infections. With no pre-cleaning needed, applying Zymox is simple and non-invasive for your dog. However, it’s not strong enough to successfully treat advanced ear infections, which should be treated with a prescription from the vet. Otherwise, Zymox is the best overall ear drop solution compared to other top brands.

    Pros
    • Patented enzyme formula
    • Helps fight buildup and infections
    • Non-invasive and no pre-cleaning needed
    • Best overall ear drop solution
    Cons
    • May not be strong enough for advanced ear infections

    2. Vet’s Best Dog Ear Wash – Best Value

    Vets Best

    For dogs with itchy, dry, or stinky ears, Vet’s Best Dog Ear Relief Wash uses all-natural ingredients for gentle, soothing relief. With natural herbs like chamomile and aloe vera, Vet’s Best is gentle enough to use daily to keep your dog’s ears clean and pain-free. This solution also doesn’t require a pre-cleaning before administering.

    It’s also one of the most affordable dog ear solutions compared to other brands. Vet’s Best Ear Wash is suited for dogs with minor ear irritation but is not strong enough to prevent ear infections. This wash also has a scent that may be too strong for some owners, so we kept it from the #1 spot.

    If you’re looking for a simple-to-use wash for minor ear irritation, Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash is the best ear drops for dogs for the money.

    Pros
    • Gentle and soothing
    • Inexpensive compared to other brands
    • No pre-cleaning needed
    • Great for dogs with minor ear irritation
    Cons
    • Not strong enough to fight ear infections
    • May have an overwhelming odor

    3. Mister Ben’s Dog Ear Care Kit – Premium Choice

    MISTER BENS

    Mister Ben’s Original Ear Care Kit is a two-part cleaning system providing immediate relief for your dog’s ears. The kit contains one bottle of ear wash for morning application and one bottle of tonic for nighttime application for extra relief. Although Mister Ben’s is expensive, the ingredients are high quality and 100% natural for gentle and soothing relief.

    Although it doesn’t require pre-cleaning before treatment, the two-step process can be a pain to keep track of. If your dog’s ears are irritated and have no serious infections, Mister Ben’s Original Ear Care Kit is a premium choice for dog ear care.

    Pros
    • Two-part system for extra relief
    • Gentle solution with natural ingredients
    • Doesn’t require a pre-cleaning
    Cons
    • More expensive compared to other brands
    • Requires two steps instead of one
    • Not strong enough to fight infections

    4. BEXLEY LABS Dog Ear Infection Treatment

    BEXLEY LABS

    Bexley Labs Curaseb Ear Infection Treatment is a prescription-grade solution to fight ear mites, infections, and foul odors. The patented formula has aloe vera to relieve swollen and irritated ears. This earwash can also work topically as a treatment for dry, irritated skin. The main issue we found is that it contains a fragrance to help mask scents, which can be irritating for some dogs with sensitive skin.

    While it may be stronger than some solutions, it can’t replace a prescription-strength solution from the vet’s office..

    Pros
    • Prescription-grade formula
    • Aloe vera for extra relief
    • Can also be used topically
    Cons
    • Contains fragrance that can cause irritation
    • Not as effective as prescription from vet

    5. Virbac 3108 Dog Ear Cleaner

    Virbac

    Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner is a daily rinse for dogs to keep their ears clean and odorless. This solution prevents wax and debris buildup while gently cleaning the ear canal.  Virbac Ear Cleaner is great for cleaning healthy ears, but it won’t help if your dog has irritated ears.

    Although it won’t interfere with other ear treatments, Virbac doesn’t treat ear infections. This solution is best for dogs who need a little cleaning but otherwise have clean and healthy ears.

    Pros
    • Can be used daily
    • Gently cleans ear
    Cons
    • For healthy ears only
    • Doesn’t help fight infections
    • Not the best value

    6. VetWELL Dog Ear Cleaner Solution

    VetWELL

    VetWELL Dog Ear Cleaner Solution is an ear-cleaning formula that contains Ketoconazole and tris, which fight against fungal, bacterial, and yeast infections. The solution also prevents wax and dirt buildup that can cause inflammation and itchiness. VetWELL Ear Cleaner is strong and effective, but it also contains alcohol that can lead to dry skin inside the ear.

    VetWELL also contains a fragrance that may irritate your dog’s ears, so it is not the best formula for dogs with sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a strong solution with no irritants, we recommend trying Zymox Otic Treatment first.

    Pros
    • Contains Ketoconazole to help fight infections
    • Stronger formula compared to similar brands
    Cons
    • Contains alcohol, which can dry skin
    • Fragrance can cause irritation
    • Stronger solutions available with no irritants

     


    7. Mighty Petz Dog Ear Cleaner

    Mighty Petz

    Mighty Petz Dog Ear Cleaner is a 4-in-1 solution that tackles the most common ear problems: itchiness/dryness, infections, odor, and inflammation. It’s an affordable solution with preventative ingredients for instant ear relief. The cucumber-melon scent is natural and not derived from fragrances that can cause skin problems, which is a big plus with scented products.

    We wanted to rate this solution higher, but there are concerns about the ingredients in Mighty Petz Ear Cleaner. It contains alcohol, which can dry out the skin and cause more irritation. It also contains propylene glycol, a popular additive that has caused concern throughout the food and health industry.

    Pros
    • Multiple preventative ingredients in one solution
    • Natural scent, fragrance-free
    Cons
    • Alcohol in solution can cause dryness
    • Contains propylene glycol

    8. Lively Pets Dog Ear Cleaner

    Lively Pets

    Lively Pets Dog Ear Cleaner is an antibacterial and antiseptic ear drop solution that contains EDTA, which helps disinfect and clean the ear canal. However, the scent is too strong and smells artificial. Lively Pets also contains fragrances and preservatives that may cause more irritation in your dog’s ear.

    Another big concern is the presence of FD & C Blue #1, an artificial colorant prevalent in processed foods and medications. We recommend trying other brands like Zymox and Vet’s Best that don’t contain unnecessary additives and preservatives.

    Pros
    • Antibacterial & antifungal properties
    • EDTA helps keep ears clean
    Cons
    • Strong artificial scent
    • Contains fragrance
    • Contains artificial colorant FD & C Blue #1
    • Contains artificial preservatives

    9. PetHonesty Dog Ear Cleaner

    PetHonesty

    PetHonesty Dog Ear Cleaner has powerful cleaning ingredients. It contains salicylic acid and benzoic acid to fight infections and wax buildup, with aloe vera to soothe dry ears. Unfortunately, PetHonesty is another brand that has artificial ingredients that can be irritating to your dog.

    The scent used to deodorize your dog’s ears is derived from fragrances, which can cause further irritation. It also contains propylene glycol, an additive with mixed data on long-term health effects. If you’re looking for a strong, safe solution for sensitive skin, we recommend trying Zymox and Vet’s Best.

    Pros
    • Fights infections and wax buildup
    • Aloe vera for soothing dry ears
    Cons
    • Artificial ingredients
    • Contains propylene glycol

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Ear Drops for Dogs

    When shopping for dog ear drops, knowing what your dog needs and how to find the best solution is important. Most ear-cleaning solutions are not strong enough to treat full ear infections, but they may have ingredients to help prevent them.

    Check for harsh chemicals

    The most important step is to read the label and check for harsh chemicals, preservatives, fragrances, and other artificial additives. For your dog’s health and safety, it’s best to avoid brands that use harmful ingredients.

    Which type to use?

    Ear drops are usually a once-daily rinse to clean out healthy ears or a treatment used in a short period to tackle common ear problems. Depending on your dog’s condition, you may need both types of ear drop solutions.

    Ask your vet for recommendations

    For the best value, look for dog ear drops that use all-natural ingredients and high-quality formulas. Ear drops should be soothing and relieving, so avoid alcohol and other drying agents. If you’re unsure which one is right for your pup, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

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    Conclusion

    After testing and reviewing each ear drop brand, we found that ZYMOX 1000 Otic Pet Ear Treatment was the best overall. Zymox is easy to use and will keep your dog’s ears clean and healthy. For the best value, Vet’s Best 3165810021 Dog Ear Relief Wash is a great daily wash that won’t break your budget. It’s a once-daily wash with all-natural ingredients at half the cost of other, more expensive brands.

    Although the drops we discussed can keep your dog’s ears clean, it’s vital to visit the veterinarian if your dog has an ear infection. They’ll likely recommend an ear-cleaning solution, but your dog may also need antibiotics. We hope this list of reviews has made shopping for your dog’s ear drops a more manageable task.

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