Best Ear Cleaner for Bloodhounds

Bloodhound ears are in a category of their own — those long, heavy flaps create a warm, dark environment that's practically an invitation for yeast and bacteria. How often are you currently cleaning them, and have you noticed any smell or head-shaking going on?

That smell is the tell-tale sign that moisture and wax are building up faster than once a month can manage. With a Bloodhound you really want to be cleaning every week, or at least every 10 days. The ear flap sits so low it traps everything. Is he generally okay with you handling his ears, or does he resist?

Water is actually the worst thing to use — it adds moisture rather than removing it, which makes the environment worse. You need a proper ear cleaner with a drying agent built in. The one I'd point you to is Virbac Epi-Otic. It's a gentle, non-irritating solution that flushes out wax and debris, dries as it works, and has a low pH that actively discourages yeast growth. It's used by vets for maintenance cleaning in exactly this kind of breed. Squirt it in, give the base of the ear a gentle massage for about 30 seconds, then let him shake and wipe away what comes out with cotton wool. Do that weekly and you'll notice the smell gone within a couple of weeks.

Yes, that's exactly what it's designed for — it's a maintenance cleaner, not a treatment, so it's formulated to be used regularly without causing irritation. It's alcohol-free, which is why it doesn't strip or dry. The main thing to watch for with Bloodhounds is if the smell persists after two or three weeks of weekly cleaning, or if you see redness inside the canal — at that point it's worth a vet check because there may already be an infection that needs a prescribed treatment to clear first. But for routine upkeep, Virbac Epi-Otic is the right tool.

Good stuff. It's one of those things where consistency matters more than anything — once a week, same day each week, and it just becomes part of the routine. His ears will thank you for it.