One of the most well-known qualities of cats is their ability to groom themselves thoroughly. Most cats have clean, healthy ears with a mechanism that pushes excess earwax to the outer areas of the ear to ensure ease in cleaning. However, some cats tend to be prone to higher wax build-up and ear infections, which make periodic cleaning of their ears a must. Veterinarians should guide you how to clean cat ears and the frequency of exercise and the specific materials to use.
Requirements to Clean Cat Ears
Cats are well known for their fluffy, wide-spread ears. Taking care of your cat’s ears can be relatively easy as long as you know what to do. Follow these steps to clean your dirty cat ears and ensure that your pet is safe and healthy.
#1 A Good Quality Ear Cleaner
Choosing the best ear cleaner for cats is crucial for ensuring the health of your furry friends’ ears. Studies have shown that cleaners with compounds like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol can be harmful and cause irritation in the ear canal, especially if the cat has inflammation. Avoid products containing essential oils (eg, lavender, citrus, tea tree oils) owing to their potential to cause harm to cats, especially in the case of accidental ingestion. Purchase ear drops for cats with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties without a prescription and effectively reduce the chances of future ear infections.
#2 Cotton Balls/Gauze
Cotton balls or gauze can remove wax and debris from the cats’ ears. Cat owners are strictly advised against using cotton-tip applicators (Q-Tips). They risk causing perforation of the eardrum, trauma to the auditory canal, and even pushing the wax and debris.
#3 A Bowl of Warm Water
Immersing the cat ear cleaner solution in warm water for a short period before use helps bring it to body temperature and makes the process more comfortable for your cat.
#4 Some Treats
Keeping some of your cats’ favorite treats handy and providing them as rewards after the process can help your cat associate ear-cleaning with positive things and reduce their resistance to the same in the future.
#5 A Towel or Blanket
You can use a towel or blanket to gently hold your pet in place while you are cleaning cat ears. Also, ensure that these fabrics are soft and you must be gentle with your feline while using them.
How to Clean Cat Ears? | (Stepwise Procedure)
- Gently wrap your cat in a blanket or towel and place them comfortably in your lap. Pet and reassure them in case they are restless and resistant.
- Clean the outer part of the ear thoroughly. Detangle any matted fur that might be around the auditory canal.
- Grasp the ear pinna and pull it back slightly to expose the ear canal better.
- While holding the ear pinna as instructed, use your other hand to squeeze an adequate amount of cat ear cleaning solution, taking care not to touch the tip of the bottle with the ear. The solution should fill the ear canal.
- Wiping off an excess solution, gently massage the base of the ear for 5-10 seconds to bring the wax and debris to the outer part of the ear.
- Wrapping a cotton ball/ gauze around your finger, gently wipe away the debris from the upper part of the ear canal.
- Leave your cat alone for 5 minutes. During this time, they will shake their heads, which would help loosen up any remnants of the wax or debris still stuck in their ears.
- Wipe the remaining wax gently. Take care to only push the gauze as far into the ear canal as your finger will reach.
- Repeat the steps as mentioned above with the other ear.
- Praise your pet and provide it with some cat treats when you are done.
Signs of a Bigger Problem in Cat’s Ears
Along with making ear-cleaning a part of a cat’s regular grooming routine, owners should also thoroughly check them for any irregularities or any ear mites in cats. If the ears are healthy, they don’t have excessive amounts of earwax or dirt deposited in the ear canal and have a pale – color. You should consult your veterinarian for cats if you notice any cat ear infection symptoms or another condition in your feline’s ears. A few are listed as follows:
- Appearance of blood, pus, or some other fluid.
- Unusual odor around the ear infection cats.
- Cat scratching ears excessively or pawing at the ear.
- Redness or inflammation in the ear.
- Appearance of swelling.
- Bald patches or unusual texture of the skin around the ear.
- Ears being tender to touch.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, do not continue the ear-cleaning process, as they may indicate an infected or ruptured eardrum. Ear infections can be secondary symptoms of many other health problems and require immediate medical attention.
How Often Should you Clean a Cat’s Ears?
Your veterinarian can provide the answer to this question depending on the condition of your cat. In general, ear-clearing should be done routinely. It is necessary to carry out this process regularly to keep the cats clean and safe. If your feline accumulates excessive amounts of cat ear wax, or if it is recovering from an ear infection, you may need to clean its ears more frequently. It is important to follow the veterinarian’s instructions carefully as over-cleaning can cause irritation and infection in the auditory canal, deeming the exercise useless.
Incorporating thorough ear canal cleaning is a must whenever you are grooming cats with the cat grooming combs and general well-being. Owners should adhere strictly to the instructions given by professionals and be on the lookout for any signs of a health issue. Best way to clean cat’s ears can be clarified through professionals like veterinarians, cat groomers, and veterinarian techs. To help their furry companions live their best, healthiest lives, owners must put their best foot forward and take the best possible care of them.
Conclusion
Cleaning cat ears is an important part of their grooming routine. By following these simple steps, you can easily keep their ears clean and free of any dirt or debris. Earwax buildup can lead to infection, so it’s important to be vigilant about cleaning them on a regular basis. Plus, it’s just plain gross if you don’t! So get out there and give your kitty a good ear-cleaning today.