Wax that has hardened inside an ear will not come away on a swab; it has to be softened and floated out first, which is exactly what a cleaning solution is for. A few drops go into the ear, you massage the base for a few seconds, and the pet does the rest by shaking, bringing the loosened debris up to the outside where you can simply wipe it away.

It is described as dual-action, cleansing and soothing at the same time, and it is non-stinging, which matters because a pet stung once will fight you every time afterwards. Routine use stops wax building into the warm, damp conditions that ear infections and mites prefer. Floppy-eared dogs, keen swimmers and any breed with hairy ear canals benefit most from doing it regularly rather than waiting for trouble.

• 10ml bottle of dual-action ear-cleaning solution
• Softens and lifts wax, dirt and debris
• Helps reduce odour and irritation
• Non-stinging on application
• Suits floppy-eared breeds, swimmers and wax-prone ears
• Suitable for both cats and dogs

Two things worth knowing. 10ml is a small bottle, worth a few cleans on a spaniel and rather more on a cat, so buy accordingly rather than expecting a season out of it. And do not put anything into an ear that is already sore, bleeding or smelling strongly, or into a pet with a suspected ruptured eardrum; that is a vet visit first.

Who it's for: Owners of floppy-eared, hairy-eared or wax-prone pets who want to keep on top of routine ear care between vet checks.