Should I clean my dog’s ears if he has ear mites

If you’re a new dog parent in the US—maybe you just brought home a fluffy Shih Tzu puppy from a shelter in California or a playful Dachshund from a breeder in Michigan—you’ve probably watched your pup scratch their ear until it’s red, then stared at the dark, crumbly gunk in their ear canal and thought: Can I clean this, or will that make the mites worse? It’s a common panic moment, but the answer isn’t as scary as it seems. Let’s break down when (and how) to clean your dog’s ears with ear mites, plus what local rules and pet culture mean for you and your pup.

First, let’s keep the science simple: Ear mites are tiny parasites that burrow into your dog’s ear canal and feed on their skin, leaving behind dark, “coffee ground-like” waste (that’s the gunk you see) and making their ears super itchy. Cleaning your dog’s ears can help—but only if you do it right, and only alongside vet-prescribed medication. Here’s why: The gunk from mites can block ear canals, so cleaning it away helps the medication reach the mites directly. But cleaning alone won’t kill mites—they’re too deep in the ear. Take Ryan, a first-time owner in Texas: His 5-month-old Labrador, Bella, had ear mites, and he tried cleaning her ears with just water first. It didn’t help—Bella kept scratching until he took her to the vet, who gave him mite-killing drops and a dog-specific ear cleaner. Once he paired cleaning with the meds, Bella got better in a week.

So here’s how to clean safely, step by step: First, get your vet’s okay—they’ll recommend a gentle, dog-specific ear cleaner (never use hydrogen peroxide or cotton swabs inside the ear canal! Those can hurt their eardrums). Then, make it a positive experience: Sit on the floor with your pup, give them a favorite chew toy, and offer a tiny treat (like a piece of peanut butter cracker) before you start. Gently lift their ear flap, squirt a little cleaner into the ear (follow your vet’s dose), and massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds—this helps loosen the gunk. If your pup wiggles, stop and give another treat—punishing them (yelling or holding them tight) will make them fear ear time, and stressed dogs hide pain. After massaging, let your pup shake their head—this gets rid of loose gunk—then wipe the outer ear with a damp cotton ball.

Now, let’s tie in rules and community habits that matter. Every US state requires core vaccines (while mites aren’t vaccine-preventable, regular vet visits—mandatory for vaccine updates—help catch mites early). Skipping vet checkups could mean you miss other health issues, and in states like New York or Florida, it might even lead to fines. If your dog has mites, skip dog parks and playdates until your vet says they’re clear—mites spread easily to other dogs, and neighbors will appreciate you keeping their pups safe. If you live in an apartment, wash your dog’s bed, toys, and collar in hot water once a week to kill leftover mites (this keeps pests from spreading to other units). And even when dealing with ear trouble, always clean up your dog’s poop on walks—cities from Seattle to Boston have fines up to $300 for leaving waste, which spreads other germs to kids and pets.

Cleaning your dog’s ears with ear mites isn’t about “fixing” it alone—it’s about helping their meds work better. With vet guidance, gentle care, and follow-through on local rules, you’ll get your pup’s ears back to happy (and scratch-free) in no time.