Water in Your Dog's Ears After Swimming? Do This

Written by RunyePet Editorial Team · Updated November 2026

Yes — a few minutes of drying right after the swim is usually all it takes to get water out of your dog's ears. Let your dog shake, towel-dry the outer ear, and wipe the visible part of the ear canal with a soft wipe or damp cloth. Water only becomes a problem when it sits in the warm, L-shaped ear canal, where it softens the skin and creates the damp conditions ear infections favor. Here is how to dry your dog's ears safely, what to watch for, and when to call the vet.

Why Water Gets Stuck in Dog Ears

A dog's ear canal is not a straight tube. It runs down, then turns sharply inward — an L-shape very different from a human ear. Water that runs in during a swim can pool at the bend instead of draining out. Floppy-eared breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers have it worse: the ear flap hangs over the opening like a lid, trapping moisture and cutting off airflow.

That trapped moisture matters because the skin inside the ear canal is thin and delicate. When it stays damp, it softens and irritates, and the warm, dark, humid canal becomes a comfortable place for yeast and bacteria — the same mechanism behind "swimmer's ear" in people. One swim rarely causes an infection, but ears that stay wet again and again give yeast and bacteria a foothold.

Floppy-eared dogs, frequent swimmers, and dogs with a history of ear infections need a drying routine after every swim. A finger wipe makes it easier: RunyePet Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes fit over your finger so you can dry the visible ear without pushing anything deeper.

How to Tell If Water Is Still in There

Most dogs tell you. Watch for these signs in the hours after a swim:

• Repeated head shaking — a shake or two right after getting out is normal. Shaking that keeps going for hours usually means something is still in there.
• Pawing at one ear — a dog that keeps rubbing the same ear against furniture or the floor is trying to clear it.
• Head tilt — a persistent tilt to one side can mean the ear still feels full.
• A squelching sound — if you gently lift the ear flap and hear a wet noise, water is likely still pooled inside.
• Redness or a faint smell — redness inside the flap or a mild, musty odor a day or two later can be the first sign of irritation.

One wet ear is not automatically an infection. But if any sign lasts more than 24 hours, see the vet section below.

How to Get Water Out of Your Dog's Ears: Step by Step

Do this as soon as your dog gets out of the water, while the ears are still wet. The whole routine takes about five minutes.

Step 1: Let your dog shake

Stand back and let the shake happen. A full-body shake is the most effective water remover your dog has, and it can clear a surprising amount of water from the outer ear on its own.

Step 2: Towel-dry the ears

Gently lift each ear flap and pat the inside of the flap and the ear opening dry with a soft towel. Press, don't rub — rubbing can irritate the skin. Hold the towel against the ear opening for a few seconds so it absorbs the moisture sitting just inside.

Step 3: Wipe what you can see

Wrap a damp ear wipe or soft cloth around your index finger and wipe only the parts you can see — the inner flap and the shallow, visible canal. Stop where your finger stops. RunyePet Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes work well here because they fit a finger and leave no fibers behind.

Step 4: Let air in

After wiping, gently hold the ear flap open for 20–30 seconds so air can reach the canal entrance. For floppy-eared dogs, this small step makes a real difference — the flap is what keeps the canal sealed and damp.

Step 5: Check again in an hour

Come back in an hour and look again. If the ear still looks wet, smells different from the other ear, or your dog is still shaking, repeat the wipe. If it is dry and your dog has settled, you are done.

What Water in the Ears Can Lead To

Water itself is not an infection. The problem is what dampness enables. The most common outcome of repeatedly wet ears is otitis externa — inflammation of the outer ear canal. According to the American Kennel Club, ear infections are among the most common health problems vets see in dogs, and moisture is one of the well-known contributing factors, especially in floppy-eared breeds.

Early signs usually include redness, a bad smell, brown or yellow discharge, and a dog that scratches or shakes its head far more than usual. Caught early, an infection is usually straightforward for a vet to treat with a cleaning and medicated drops. The infections that become painful or stubborn are usually the ones left alone for days or weeks — which is why the drying routine matters. If ear problems follow almost every swim, ask your vet — allergies or a narrow canal may be the real cause.

What NOT to Do

Good intentions cause most ear injuries. Avoid these:

• Never use cotton swabs. A Q-tip pushes wax and water deeper into the L-shaped canal and can damage the eardrum.
• Don't pour in alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Both sting irritated skin and can make inflammation worse.
• Don't use a hair dryer on the ear. Even on low, the heat is hard to control and can burn the thin skin of the ear flap.
• Don't use ear drops unless your vet prescribed them. If the eardrum is damaged or the ear is already infected, the wrong liquid can cause pain or hearing damage.

What We've Learned About Post-Swim Ear Care

The dogs that get into trouble are rarely the ones that swim once — they are the daily swimmers whose ears never fully dry between sessions. And the owners with the least trouble are the ones who made drying part of the exit ritual: dog out of the water, shake, towel, wipe, done — before the car ride home. Most dogs accept the wipe fast when it is calm and quick, especially with a treat after.

How to Keep Water Out Next Time

You can't keep a swimming dog's ears fully dry, but you can limit how much water gets in:

• Dry immediately, every time. The routine above is the single most effective habit.
• Hold the ear flap open for a minute after the swim so air reaches the canal while your dog dries off.
• Swim in clean water when you can. Stagnant ponds carry more bacteria than flowing lakes or pools, so trapped water matters more there.
• Pack a swim bag. A towel, a pack of ear wipes, and a spare dry cloth take up almost no space. The RunyePet Complete Face Care Kit — ear, eye, and dental wipes in one bag — covers the full post-swim cleanup in one kit.
• Trim the hair around the ear opening if your groomer recommends it. Long hair there can hold moisture against the skin.

When to See a Veterinarian

Drying at home is for healthy ears after a swim. See your vet promptly if you notice any of the following:

• Head shaking, pawing, or a head tilt that lasts more than 24 hours
• Redness, swelling, or heat inside the ear flap
• Dark, brown, or yellow discharge, or a strong or yeasty smell
• Pain when you touch the ear — flinching, yelping, or pulling away
• Balance problems, circling, or trouble hearing
• Ear problems that return after nearly every swim

Don't treat a suspected infection at home. A vet can check the eardrum and prescribe the right treatment. As the VCA Hospitals ear-cleaning guide notes, proper cleaning technique matters — and if an infection is already present, cleaning alone is not a substitute for treatment.

FAQ

Can water in a dog's ear cause an infection?

Water alone does not usually cause an infection in a healthy ear, but trapped moisture can soften the canal skin and create conditions where yeast and bacteria grow more easily. Drying the ears after every swim is the simplest way to lower that risk.

How long does it take for water to come out of a dog's ear?

In most cases, a good shake and a towel-dry clear the outer ear within minutes. Water pooled deeper in the canal may take a few hours to work its way out. If your dog is still shaking its head or pawing at the ear the next day, a vet check is worth it.

Can I use a cotton swab to dry my dog's ears?

No. Cotton swabs push water and wax deeper into the L-shaped canal and risk damaging the eardrum. Wipe only the parts of the ear you can see, using a soft cloth or a finger wipe.

Conclusion

Water in your dog's ears after swimming is normal — and in most cases, a five-minute drying routine is all it takes. Let your dog shake, towel-dry the ears, wipe what you can see, and let air in. Skip the cotton swabs, skip the home remedies, and watch for the signs that mean a vet should take a look. Make drying part of the swim itself.

Make post-swim ear care easy: keep RunyePet Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes in your swim bag, and drying takes less than a minute per ear.

Related Articles

• How to Clean Your Dog's Ears at Home
• Why Do My Dog's Ears Smell Bad?
• Dog Ear Care Guide: Cleaning, Signs & Prevention

References

• American Kennel Club — How to Clean a Dog's Ears
• American Kennel Club — Dog Ear Infections
• VCA Hospitals — Ear Cleaning in Dogs

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog shows signs of pain, discharge, or a persistent head tilt, contact your veterinarian.