Caution: Things to Know Before Attempting to Clean Your Cat's Ears. Never use a cotton swab (Q-tip) as they can damage the ear canal and/or push debris deeper into the ear canal. There is also an increased risk of rupturing the ear drum if the swab and/or debris is pushed too deep.
The toughest part may be the cat, not the ear
Never use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to clean your cat's ears — these substances just aren't safe for your kitty. Also, never use cotton-tipped swabs, like Q-tips, in a cat's ear at home. It's just too easy to push debris and wax further down into the ear canal.
Regular ear inspections can help you spot potential health issues early on and get your cat treated before things get more serious. And if you do need to clean your cat's ears, use cat-specific ear cleaning solutions and cotton balls or gauze.
Use a cotton pad to wipe out debris from your cat's ear. Again, never put anything, including your finger, into your kitty's ear canal. Repeat the process on the other ear.
Mites also stimulate the wax producing glands inside the ear canal. The result is a black, crusty build-up in the ears that resembles coffee grounds. This discharge is made of blood, wax, debris, and mites themselves. In some cases, this crust can thicken enough to block the ear canal.
It will depend on your cat's habits when it comes to how often you should clean their ears. If you have a house cat you may find that you rarely need to clean their ears, whereas if you have a cat that's always getting up to mischief outside, they may need more regular cleaning to remove dirt they've picked up.
Hydrogen peroxide—while this is a common remedy for removing ear wax from human ears, our vets do not generally recommend cleaning pets' ears with peroxide.
You will need cotton pads or balls, a veterinary-approved ear cleaner, and a towel. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based cleaners as they can dry out the ear canal and cause irritation.
You can purchase an ear cleaner at the veterinarian's office Water should not be used as an ear cleaner because it can sit in the ear and allow yeast to grow. Place a few drops of ear cleaner into the cat's ears. Use the proper dosage as recommended on the label instructions.
Matthes, who runs Feline Fancy in Weymouth, Massachusetts, says that cat parents can probably get away with cleaning their cat's ears about two times a month if they notice dirt or wax buildup regularly. But double-check this frequency with your vet to make sure you're not overdoing (or underdoing it!)
Essentials for cleaning cat's ears
Cleansing wipes (like our selection, THE SWIPE) A dry towelor blanket – some people like to wrap their cats up in towels to keep them snug and secure as they clean their heads. Treats – you may need these to keep your cat occupied or content as you clean their ears.
Can I use baby wipes in my cats ears? The short answer is no, baby wipes should not be used on cats. This is so that your cat won't be exposed to any unpleasant or hazardous ingredients, even in the mildest unscented baby wipes.
Outside of your cat's diet, pet owners can use olive oil to prevent ear infections, according to VetInfo.com. To clean a cat's ears with olive oil, use a plastic ear dropper or a syringe, cotton balls, towel and bowl of warm water.
Highly diluted organic apple cider vinegar may be used to clean your pet's ear as the acid kills the yeast and fungi which could cause an infection. Mix ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar with one cup of water and apply with a dropper. Alternatively, consider using Ark Naturals Ears All Right.
Even indoor-only cats can end up with them, and once one cat in the house has them, the others are sure to end up with them as well. Otodectes cynotis seen under a microscope. The most common type of ear mite is Otodectes cynotis, which live in the ear canal and feed by piercing the thin skin.
Want to know how to clean cat's ears naturally? Some people prefer to use natural products with recognizable and pronounceable ingredients, like Naturvet Ear Wash. Natural ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree oil, and aloe vera help to clean, dry, and condition delicate ear skin.
Otitis externa is most prevalent in cats that are especially susceptible to seborrhea, a skin ailment marked by excess oily secretions from the sebaceous glands. This results in the accumulation of surplus ear wax in which invading mites, bacteria, and other organisms can flourish.
For instance, ear mites produce debris that looks like coffee grounds or potting soil. If you see that, your pet needs veterinary attention. Foul smells, redness, and sores are also signs to see your vet. Felines have some of the most sensitive ears in the mammal world, and cats use their ears to keep tabs on you.
This parasite can be picked up by your cat through direct contact or through contact with infected cats' toys or bedding. Boarding & Grooming: If you frequently send your cats to grooming or boarding homes, they are likely to be infected from other cats.
Ear discharge in cats in a thick, waxy substance that prevents particles from entering the inner portions of the ears. In a healthy cat, the ears will have very little ear wax and the discharge will be a light brownish color. The healthy discharge will have no smell and be accompanied by a pink, clean inner ear canal.
Ear mites are not species specific, meaning that a cat can pick them up from a dog, and vice versa. Ear mites can be spread through direct contact, or your pet could pick them up from another animal's environment.
Cats affected by ear mites will scratch at their ears and shake their heads to attempt to relieve their discomfort, and you may notice that their ears droop. In severe cases, ear mites can lead to inflammation of the outer ear as well as the external ear canal.