Ears are one of the most overlooked parts of pet care — until something goes wrong. In Kepong's warm, humid weather, a pet's ear canal can become a perfect little greenhouse for yeast and bacteria, especially in dogs with floppy or hairy ears. Knowing how to clean ears safely, how often to do it, and when to stop and call a vet will save your pet a lot of discomfort.
A dog or cat's ear canal is shaped like an "L" — it goes down and then bends inward toward the eardrum. That bend traps moisture, wax and debris, and air doesn't circulate well. Breeds with droopy ears or lots of hair inside the canal have even less airflow, which raises the risk of infection. Add our year-round humidity and you can see why ear problems are common locally.
In cats (and kittens especially), a frequent cause of ear trouble is ear mites. According to VCA, ear mites are highly contagious and spread by direct contact between animals, so if one pet in the home has them, others may need checking too. The classic sign is a dark, dry, crumbly discharge that looks like coffee grounds, along with intense scratching and head shaking. Mites need proper veterinary treatment — cleaning alone won't clear them.
Only clean ears that look healthy — pale pink, no strong smell, no pain. Use a proper pet ear-cleaning solution such as a gentle ear cleaner, not water, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Never push a cotton bud (Q-tip) deep into the ear canal. VCA warns this can damage the canal or eardrum and push debris further in — only ever wipe the parts you can easily see. If your pet shows pain at any point, stop.
There is no single rule — it depends on the pet. Many healthy pets with clean, odour-free ears need little or no routine cleaning. Dogs with floppy or hairy ears, swimmers, and pets prone to wax may need it more regularly. Over-cleaning a healthy ear can actually cause irritation, so the goal is "clean when needed," not a fixed daily ritual. Our grooming team in Kepong can check and gently clean the ears as part of a regular session, and let you know if anything needs a vet's eye.
Cleaning helps maintain healthy ears, but it cannot fix an infection. If the ear is red, swollen, smelly, painful, or has a lot of discharge — or if you suspect mites or an infection — do not keep flushing it at home. VCA advises checking with your vet before cleaning a painful or inflamed ear, because there may be an infection or even a ruptured eardrum, and the wrong product could make things worse. As groomers, we can keep healthy ears clean and flag concerns, but diagnosing and treating infections is a job for your veterinarian.
Can I use a cotton bud to clean my pet's ears?
Only on the visible outer part, never pushed down into the canal. Deep cotton-bud use can damage the eardrum and pack debris deeper. A cotton ball or pet ear wipe is safer.
My dog's ear smells bad and looks red — should I just clean it more?
No. A smelly, red or painful ear often means an infection, which cleaning alone won't fix and may aggravate. Have a vet examine it first.
How do I know if it's ear mites?
Dark, dry, coffee-ground-like debris with lots of scratching — common in cats and kittens — is a classic clue. Because mites are very contagious and need proper treatment, see your vet to confirm and treat.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Season Pet Shop offers a range of services such as pet grooming, pet food sales, and various other pet-related services to cater to the needs of pet owners in the area.
Posted by Season Pet Shop on 1 Jul 26
Malaysia