Virbac vs. Vet’s Best – if your dog’s ears could talk, they’d beg you to read this

Gentle Ear Cleaning for Big-Eared Beauties: Which One Passes the Sniff Test?

When it comes to floppy, sound-snatching Rottie ears, what hoomans don’t see (or smell) can definitely hurt us. My ears? Built like satellite dishes. One wrong scratch or dabble in muddy puddles and BAM! Ear gunk city. So, me and Mum tried two highly barked-about options: Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser and Vet’s Best Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes. I gave them the full sniff, shake, and snoot-stretch test. Spoiler: one of them got my head tilting with delight. The other? Let’s just say it involved the sad cone of shame.

The Wet Wipe Revolution (a.k.a. no more ear puddles)

Let’s start with the clever little Vet’s Best Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes. Hoomans, these are the true game-changers. No flooding the ear canal. No squirt noises that make dogs think you’ve turned into a vet in disguise. Just gentle swirls using your finger—and yeah, I noticed. But y’know what else I noticed? No sting. No angry floppies. And no running for the hills.

They're soaked in natural goodies like soothing aloe vera, which feels nice on my skin—science says that stuff is mega moisturising and helps with irritation. Plus, the wipes give you control. You clean by feel, not guesswork. Think of them like tiny towels giving me a spa day… if you count sticking your finger in my ear as soothing. (Spoiler: I do. Weirdly relaxing.)

The Classic Squeezy Contender

Now onto the big bottle of clean, the 4oz Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser from Virbac. This one's been around longer than most chew toys in my basket and for a reason—it works. Mum says it’s got a neutral pH and something called ‘anti-odour technology’. I say it smells a lot better than wet paws in summer.

It flushes out all that unseen ear nonsense—wax, debris, and the mystery crusties we find after beach zoomies. Dogs with chronic ear issues might get more relief from this deep clean vibe, especially after vet visits or if you’ve had itchy ears in the past. And unlike some old-school liquids, this doesn’t burn or bubble in weird ways. Just be sure to warm it up in your paws a little, okay? No surprise cold ears, please!

Dog Fact: Our ears are shaped like lil’ funnels. Moisture or leftover cleaner can get trapped if you're not careful during drying. That’s when trouble brews. Or at least it smells like it.

How Did My Ears Rate the Clean Team?

After two weeks of alternate cleaning (and a very dramatic side-eye competition), I give both these products a proper tail wag. But they serve different purposes:

• Virbac Epi-Otic: Best for post-beach rinses, deeper cleans, or when you’ve had ear drama before. It’s the vet-trusted option for good reason.
• Vet’s Best Wipes: Perfect for weekly maintenance, post-park tidy ups, or if your pup is spooked by liquids but still needs a groom.

Honestly, I’d keep both in your treat cupboard (next to the snackos, obviously). One gives you squeaky clean, the other keeps things under control without the drama. Pro tip? Follow each ear clean with head pats and a high-reward treat. I recommend beef jerky. In massive quantities.

What Do Ears Tell You (When You Actually Listen)?

A clean-smelling ear is a happy ear. Look out for constant pawing, head-spinning like a confused owl, or reddish gunk. If your dog’s suddenly avoiding scratches or you hear a squelchy sound while cleaning, that’s your cue to call the vet—not just reach for a wipe.

But in most cases, regular, gentle ear care keeps us floppies feeling fresh without stress. Let your dog be the guide—start with short sessions, keep it casual, and always pair it with something nice (walk? snack? belly rub pile?)

Remember: When in doubt, go slow and sniff it out. Just don’t replace ear care with perfume. We noticed. And we judge.

So... Which Product Wins the Paw of Approval?

If you asked past-me after a sneaky swamp swim, I’d bark for Virbac Epi-Otic. It handles the big jobs, doesn’t burn, and actually makes ears smell kind of fancy. But for daily maintenance when ears just need a quick refresh? Vet’s Best Finger Wipes are my go-to. It’s like spa day, minus the cucumber slices. (Seriously, why do you put those on your eyes?)

Keep both. Use wisely. And thank me by not naming your next dog “Mr. Poodlepants.” We’ve suffered enough.

Stay clean, stay cheeky, and keep those ears wag-ready!

Tail wags,
Thor 🐾

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