Objectives Preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of two commercial ear solutions composed of (1) chlorhexidine‐Tris‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or (2) medical grade honey, for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs. Materials and Methods Dogs affected with otitis externa housed in an animal shelter were eligible for inclusion. Treatment was applied daily for 10 days and effect was measured by otitis clinical scores and microbiological counts. One of the treatments was applied to affected left ears, while the other was applied to affected right ears. Results A total of 24 ears from 13 dogs were included in the study. During the treatment period, with both treatments it was observed an improvement in clinical scores and a decrease in microbiological counts. At the end of the study 22 of 24 ears were deemed to have mild (4 ears), or no (18 ears) pain, with only two ears still showing pruritus. Clinical Significance The application of ear solutions composed of chlorhexidine‐Tris‐EDTA or medical grade honey, in the absence of antimicrobial treatment, might be effective for the control of clinical signs and microbial colonisation in dogs with otitis externa. Additional randomised studies on clinical patients are required to validate these findings.