Do floppy eared dogs need more ear cleaning?

An upright ear allows air to circulate freely through the canal, which helps keep moisture from lingering. A floppy ear rests over the opening like a lid, trapping warm, humid air inside, conditions that encourage faster wax production and, if left unchecked, a higher chance of odor developing.

Many floppy eared breeds do well with a cleaning every 1 to 2 weeks, though some individual dogs with particularly waxy ears may need it weekly, while others manage fine every 2 to 3 weeks. Checking the ear visually between full cleanings, lifting the flap and glancing inside, helps you judge whether the current schedule is keeping up.

A floppy eared dog that swims should have its ears dried, gently patting the inside of the flap and canal opening with a towel, right after getting out of the water, since trapped water on top of an already low airflow ear shape is a common trigger for irritation.

Lifting the ear flap on a floppy eared breed right after a cleaning and comparing it a week later to how an upright eared dog's ear looks after the same week gives a clear, direct sense of just how much faster buildup accumulates when airflow is restricted, which can help justify sticking with the more frequent schedule.

Tying back long ear fur with a soft band during meals and water breaks, common in breeds like Cocker Spaniels, also indirectly helps ear health by keeping the fur cleaner and drier, since damp, food soiled ear fur pressed against the flap adds to the moisture problem.