Should I dry my dog's ears after a swim?

Water that gets trapped inside the ear canal after swimming does not evaporate quickly, especially in a floppy eared dog where the flap blocks airflow. This trapped moisture, combined with the warmth of the ear canal, creates exactly the kind of environment that encourages irritation over repeated exposure.

Let your dog shake first, which clears a good amount of water on its own, then use a soft towel to gently pat dry the visible parts of the ear flap and the entrance to the canal. This takes less than a minute per ear and can become a normal part of the post swim routine, right alongside toweling off the coat.

A dog that swims several times a week, especially through summer, may benefit from a drying ear cleaner used occasionally, something your vet can recommend, on top of towel drying, particularly if you notice the ears staying damp longer than usual after each swim.

Some dogs that resist a towel near their ears after swimming tolerate it better if you towel dry the rest of the body first, working toward the head and ears last once your dog has settled into the general toweling routine, rather than starting the drying process right at the ears while your dog is still excited from the swim.

A dedicated, slightly larger microfiber cloth kept specifically for post swim drying, rather than whatever towel happens to be nearby, tends to absorb moisture more effectively and can become a recognizable cue that helps your dog settle into the routine more quickly over repeated swims.