Do dogs that swim a lot need special ear care?

A single swim is unlikely to cause a problem on its own, but a dog swimming several times a week through summer is repeatedly introducing moisture into the ear canal, and if it is not dried out between sessions, this pattern creates ongoing conditions that favor irritation.

Towel dry the ears after every swim, gently patting the inside of the flap and the visible canal opening, and use a vet recommended drying ear solution once or twice a week during peak swimming months as an extra precaution, particularly for floppy eared breeds.

Check your dog's ears more often, perhaps every few days rather than the usual weekly glance, during a stretch of frequent swimming, since problems tend to develop faster under these conditions than they would for a dog with dry, well ventilated ears.

A faint, damp smell that fades within an hour or two after a swim, once ears have dried, is a normal, temporary result of water exposure, whereas a smell that lingers well beyond drying time suggests moisture is being trapped rather than evaporating properly and the drying routine may need adjusting.

Rinsing your dog's ears briefly with fresh water after a swim in a lake, river, or the sea, before the towel drying step, can also help remove any residual salt, algae, or bacteria that pond and ocean water sometimes carry, on top of the usual moisture concern.