These wonderful and gentle animals have been with us for centuries, by our side keeping us company and entertaining us with their wacky and amusing ways.
Now in these modern times we love having them around us as pets in our homes as they have a distinct ability to brighten up any house with their presence alone and make us feel joyful.
We humans need our ears to be cleaned every so often to get rid of any excess ear wax or to check out for any redness or ear infections.
Dogs also need their ears to be cleaned and checked every so often to get rid of dirt or to check for infections as well.
Most cat owners will wonder at some point or another if their kitty too, needs to have it’s ears cleaned or checked since they are not able to check their own ears by themselves.
I am going to give you a detailed guide on how to clean cats ears at home, and answer any questions you may have such as if you really need to clean your cat’s ears.
Also things such as how often to clean cats ears, warning signs to look out for, signs of infection, what things and products to use, and more useful tips to help you on your journey!
Table of Contents
Should I Clean My Cat’s Ears?
So, is it really a good idea, and should I clean my cats ears to begin with?
Yes, you should.
It is actually necessary to occasionally clean your cat’s ears because they can’t clean their own ears as they can’t reach them in that way.
Their ear canal is structured in a way that makes it immensely difficult for any debris or dirt that gets trapped inside to be easily removed without a cleaning and some effort.
If it is not checked every so often and cleaned, this can cause the cat to itch more and more, or get an ear infection eventually. However, these animals can clean themselves to some degree so you won’t have to overly clean their ears which are some good news.
Over cleaning a cats ears can cause irritation in the ear canal and cause infection as well, which we want to avoid at all costs.
Normally, indoor house cats don’t tend to have as many issues with their ears as outdoor cats do, because outdoor cats pick up on more bugs and dirt in their daily routines.
A healthy felines ears don’t have a lot of dirt or wax in them but have a healthy but pale pink hue to them, color wise.
If your cat’s ears don’t look dirty and appear healthy to look at, then you probably don’t need to clean their ears.
How Often Should I Clean My Cats Ears?
It is best to make it a habit to clean your cats ears once every two to three weeks.
Usually, indoor cats rarely need their ear’s cleaned because they aren’t exposed that much to bugs and dirt that the outside world is so full of.
On the other hand, outdoor cats will need their ears cleaned much more often because they are so exposed to germs, dirt and debris that can get caught in their ears and cause problems there.
Cats that roam freely outside often like to climb trees and go through filthy bushes so it makes sense for their ears to be more at risk of an infection.
Signs That Something Is Wrong
There are quite a few warning signs that can indicate and tell you that something might be wrong with the cat’s ears.
When you are cleaning them, you should look to see if there is a strange odor any discharge coming from their ears. Also, check if there is excessive ear wax inside the ears themselves as it can be a warning sign.
Also look out for bald patches, scaly looking skin around the ears or any dark colored debris that is suspicious looking.
If you happen to notice a reddish black color inside their ear canal and hair loss on the outside of the same ear, the cat might have ear mites.
Sometimes even if the ears look completely fine at first glance, you can tell there might be something not right if your cat has excessively started to shake it’s head or scratch their ears.
If the cat is showing any of these symptoms then they might have an ear infection or even a ruptured ear drum and need the help of a vet right away.
What to Use, and What to Avoid
Do Use:
- specialized cat ear cleaner from the pet shop
- soft cotton balls to wipe the outside of the ears
- treats to use as rewards afterwards
- products for breaking up the ear wax in the ears
- products for drying the ear canals
Do Not Use:
- anything containing alcohol
- q-tips or cotton swabs
- hydrogen peroxide or vinegar
I recommend using this specialized ear cleaner for cats as it is strong enough to do a good and thorough job, but still very gentle and safe for our animals.
How To Clean Cats Ears: the Steps
Get It Used to It
I recommend that you do regular checks and cleaning of the ears when it is still a kitten, because then the whole ordeal will seem like less of a big deal and they won’t be fearful of it.
If it is used to routine checks and the occasional cleaning it will be much easier to clean their ears in the future.
If you only start doing regular checks and cleanings once the kitty has become fully grown, it is much likelier to feel nervous and anxious with you handling their ears.
Trust me, it is a lot harder to try to check for an ear infection and to clean a cats ears when they are not used to it and are constantly trying to escape or scratch you into oblivion.
Get Your Cat Comfortable
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position and move slowly so that you don’t frighten the cat.
You can try to have your cat sitting on your lap and it can help to wrap or cuddle it gently in a soft towel to make it feel more secure.
If the cat starts to freak out it is also useful to have it wrapped in a towel to prevent it from squirming too much or scratching you suddenly.
Open The Ear Canal Carefully
Just like when you are dropping ear drops into your own ear, take the tip of the felines ear flap and pull it back only slightly to open up the ear canal.
Doing this helps to straighten the ear canal which helps the cleaning solution get inside it.
Drip The Cleaning Solution Into the Cat’s Ear
Use one hand to hold the cat’s ear flap while using the other hand to hold the ear cleaning solution steadily.
Next, gently squeeze the solution into the cats ear while trying to keep it calm so it won’t move around too much.
You should use enough ear cleaning solution to fill up the cat’s ear canal. If some drips out it is all right and no need to worry.
The solution can be wiped with a piece of gauze or a simple cotton ball if it drips out.
Make sure to hold the solution bottle above the ear and don’t have the tip of the bottle touch the cats ear. Having the tip of the bottle touch the ear can cause bacteria to get into the bottle itself and the tip of it.
Massage the Ear
You should continue to hold the ear flap with one hand and use the other hand to gently massage the base of the cats ear.
Massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds to help the cleaning solution break up any dirt, debris and ear wax inside the ear itself.
Wipe Away the Dirt
While still holding the ear flap, use your other hand to wipe away any dirt and debris you see from the inner ear flap and the upper part of the ear canal. You can use a cotton ball or gauze to wipe the cats ear clean.
Allow Your Cat to Shake it’s Head Now
After cleaning the inner ear flap and upper part of the ear canal, now you should let your cat shake it’s head a bit freely.
Doing this helps the ear cleaning solution to move the debris from the inner part of the ear canal to the outer parts of the ear, and out of it.
Removing the Remaining Dirt
Now, use a cotton ball or gauze to remove any remaining debris and cleaning solution from the outer parts of the ears and ear canal.
You should only go as far as your finger can reach while cleaning your cat’s ear, and don’t try to use any force.
Give Your Cat Treats, and Repeat With the Other Ear
After you have finished cleaning your cats ear, give it a treat as a reward for his good behavior and to show that ear cleaning can be tied to a good thing.
Doing this will help the cat be less nervous for the next time you have to clean their ears and it makes them feel better.
Since cats have two ears you have to repeat the same process again with the other ear, after you have successfully finished cleaning the first one.
Then, you will be finished.
Also read: Telling how old your cat is, ways to know.
Tips and Tricks to Remember
- Try to clean the ears when your cat is feeling relaxed such as when they seem calm on the sofa resting or just after you have groomed them.
- When you are cleaning your cats ears it helps a lot to talk to it in a soft and soothing voice throughout the process. Never yell or loose your temper. You can also cuddle and pet your cat a lot as it makes them more relaxed and reminds them that it is not something to be feared.
- Ask a friend to come over and help you with holding the cat still while you are cleaning their ears. If the animal doesn’t like having their ears checked then it can prove to be very hard to get them to stay still and behave for long enough.
- If you can’t get your kitty to stay still for long enough or if they are particularly scared of it, then you may just need to take it to the vet for help instead. Especially if they are in dire need of having a cleaning. The vet can help clean their ears or hold the cat for long enough to finish.
- If the cat appears to be in any pain while you are trying to clean their ears or checking them, then you should stop and go talk to your vet for advice.
- If the cat turns out to have an ear infection and needs medication, you should make sure to clean their ears gently first before applying the medication.
Why Cleaning Your Cat’s Ears Is a Good Thing
The benefit of cleaning your cats ears is mainly that it helps prevent an ear infection.
Cleaning them helps to keep the ears in good condition, and the whole cat healthy as a result.
Cats can also catch ear mites from other cats either through direct contact with them, and this can make their ears feel very itchy and unpleasant.
It is better to notice and treat ear infections or ear mites early than to let the animal be in pain for long and continue to feel itchy and bad.
We all want to keep our furry friends around for as long as possible, and for them to feel healthy and happy. So it is best to make sure every part of them is healthy and free of any infections or diseases.
Final Words
Cats need to have their ears cleaned regularly and every once in a while.
It is best to check their ears once a week for any abnormal odor, discharge, change in the color of their ear canal or anything out of the ordinary.
Indoor cats usually need very few cleanings but outdoor cats need them more often in comparison.
When you are cleaning your cats ears, you should use a special ear cleaning solution that is formulated with cats in mind. You can get these at most pet shops.
Never use anything that might irritate their ears such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and avoid these.
If the kitty has any issues, you should take it to the vet right away to be on the safer side.
So you should make it a weekly habit to clean your cats ears, and make sure you do it right because it can prevent ear infections, ear mites, and will keep your cat much healthier in the long run when you do it right.
Also read: How to give a cat a pill.
