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Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my dog's ears safely at home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rottweiler | Male | unneutered | 84 lbs

Is it safe to use Peroxide in dogs ears?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on August 30th, 2019

I don't recommend to use peroxide or any other product not tested and proven safe for pets. Instead use a cleaner (vets and pet stores carry these) that is meant for dog ears. These products will generally not overly dry the skin, cause damage to the ear drum (but if the ear drum is ruptured, any products applied in the ear will cause damage) and these products generally condition the skin as well. Here is a helpful link:
https://www.petcoach.co/article/ear-infections-otitis-externa-ear-cleaning-in-dogs/

I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additiona questions.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on December 19th, 2017
Peroxide can be very irritating to inflamed tissue and is not recommended. One component it breaks down into is water. This can make any ear infection worse. A cotton swab should never be inserted deep into the ear as it could rupture the eardrum.
Use an approved ear cleaner, such as Epi-Otic, and cotton balls to clean ears. Follow the link below to an article from the PetCoach library regarding ear cleaning.
https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-steps-to-clean-your-dog-s-ears-properly/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 29th, 2017
I would recommend cleaning with a mild soap instead of peroxide as it can damage cells and delay healing if used repeatedly. I would apply a topical antibiotic ointment such as polysporin or neosporin twice daily as it is more effective than coconut oil. If your dog is scratching at the ear or it looks red or has discharge inside the ear canal a vet visit is needed to check for infection. If the lesions are not healing up, a vet visit is also recommended.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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