A dog that has had one painful ear will not let you near the other one, and that is a hard thing to undo. It makes what a cleaner leaves out at least as interesting as what it puts in — because a stinging bottle buys you one session and then a lifetime of head-turning.

Bugalugs lead on the omissions here. The formula is non-toxic and free from alcohol, parabens, silicones, SLES, SLS, DEA and enzymes, and they describe it as naturally derived and vegan, made in the UK with water from the Lake District. It comes in a 200ML bottle with what they call a sensitive ear application, and it is cleared for puppies over 8 weeks and for all coat types. The company state they do not test on animals.

• 200ML bottle
• Free from alcohol, parabens, silicones, SLES, SLS, DEA and enzymes
• Vegan formula, not tested on animals
• Removes wax and dirt, and reduces ear odour
• Suitable for puppies over 8 weeks
• Suitable for all coat types
• Manufactured in the UK

On the ingredient list. Bugalugs tell you thoroughly what is not in this and never tell you what is. There is no ingredient list, no pH figure, no volume per ear and no frequency — so how often to use it is your judgement, not theirs. And a cleaner is not a medicine: an ear that is red, hot, smelly or sore, or a dog that keeps shaking their head at one side, is a job for your vet rather than a bottle, because cleaning an ear that is already inflamed can make things worse.

Who it's for: owners of drop-eared dogs, spaniels, swimmers and anything that gets waxy, and anyone whose dog has already reacted badly to an alcohol-based cleaner.