How to clean a cat's ears at home

It is not recommended to clean a cat's ears deeply. It is better to use a soft cloth or cotton swabs to remove dust and dirt. If you notice problems with your cat's ears, see your veterinarian.

How to clean a kitten's ears yourself

For cats, the hearing organ and maintaining its function is extraordinarily important. Cats not only hear much better than humans. These animals use their hearing to navigate their surroundings and are able to locate and identify the source of sound. The quality of cat's hunting depends on this skill, for it can hear squeaks of mice and rustling of lizards.

Please note that breeds with big ear holes (Savannah, Abyssinian and Somali cats) and even breeds with little hair cover (Sphynx, Peterbald and Rex) produce more earwax.

At what age should kittens have their ears cleaned

A pet's ears must be properly cared for. Lack of hygiene of the ear canals, can end up in the formation of wax plugs, provoking inflammation.

Cats themselves are not capable of cleaning their own ear canal. This is especially true for some cat breeds with large ear canals and short fur. Breeds such as the Rex, Sphynx, Peterbald, Abyssinian and Somali cat produce more wax than other domestic cat breeds.

Experts recommend that you begin to accustom your pet to hygienic procedures, including ear cleaning, at an early age.

As soon as the kitten becomes active and sensible, you can practice the procedure of cleaning the ears. This will avoid negative associations in the adult animal.

Sulfur plugs that form in the ear canal can provoke pressure on the eardrum area. Vomiting and nausea may develop, as well as inflammation when pathogenic bacterial microflora attach. Regular cleaning of a small pet's ears, when necessary, not only keeps the pet's hearing normal, but also prevents the development of otitis media and ear mites.

Rarely do pets enjoy brushing their ears, teeth and shampooing. Because of this, veterinarians and professional breeders strongly recommend that you begin accustoming your pet at an early age.

At the initial stages it can be a simple, detailed examination, and then you can add the use of cleansing lotions designed specifically for cats' ears. By encouraging the cat to behave calmly when cleaning the cat's ears the owner will not encounter any problems as an adult.

It is recommended to clean the ears immediately after bathing the cat. The kitten's ears should be cleaned after a preventive examination of the ear canals. The frequency with which this hygienic procedure should be performed is determined by several factors. Affect the process of contamination of the kitten's ear canals:

What to clean and wash a cat's ears: tools and liquids

Cat ears are cleaned of accumulated dirt and earwax with Tampon, disc or cotton swabs. The soft cleaning surface is moistened with mineral oil, petroleum jelly.

These products help remove dried up lumps without pain. Instead of Vaseline, you can use a little baby cream, a drop of peach or almond oil (purified, cosmetic).

Note: the liquid or fat should not drip from the absorbent cotton – abundant wetting is unnecessary.

Rinse the auditory sinus Distilled water, saline if you need to clean the ear of blood and foreign substances. At home, the following are used for this purpose An Esmarh cup, a large syringe without needle for 20 ml, large bottles with a spout. The stream of water should not enter the ear canal, so the animal's head is slightly tilted.

A match with a coiled piece of absorbent cotton is not recommended:

After cleaning with a grease cleaner, the ears are wiped with dry absorbent cotton, soaking up the remains of the cleaner. If radical measures were taken – deep rinsing, the final step is to gently blot the surface with an absorbent cloth, a soft towel.

How to properly clean a cat's ears at home

To clean kitty ears of dirt, as a rule, it is enough to wipe the inside with a cotton pad. Earwax in large quantities is not yet released. The hygienic procedure is performed in the following order:

1. The kitten's back is held with one hand and lightly pressed, forcing him to lie down.
2. Tenderly talk and praise for assiduity.
3. Carefully turn out the auricle.
4. Clean the surface with a disc.
5. Praise the cat again and give him a treat.

If the cat is accustomed to such manipulations as brushing teeth or veterinary examinations, it will not be difficult to clean the ears at home.

To rinse cat's ears you can use warm spirited tea, decoction of chamomile. The inner cavity is oily to the touch – it is not necessary to wipe the skin with a soapy solution.

If the animal is aggressive, you can try to swaddle the cat in a blanket or towel for the procedure. You should realize that such an approach will result in screams and howls of gratitude from the scratching and biting animal. First of all, try the method below:

1. Put a thick mitten (a kitchen oven mitt will do) on the left hand (if the owner is right-handed),
2. On the right hand, wrap a soft cloth around the fingers: thumb and forefinger (one layer).
3. Place the left palm on the withers, fixing the fingers slightly around the neck, and wipe the ear with your fingers soaked in oil from the inside.

Tip: It is better to give your pet a soothing decoction of catnip beforehand.

Pet stores and veterinary clinics sell ready-made solutions, lotions and sprays for cleaning ears. In addition to water, aloe, tea tree and menthol extracts are added to the composition. Accumulated wax and dirt in the ear canal and the inside of the auricle becomes soft, easy to clean with a cotton swab.

If a cat doesn't go outdoors, does he need his ears cleaned?

Does a cat that never leaves the apartment need its ears cleaned under any circumstances? This lifestyle affects how often the treatment can take place, but is not a reason to stop doing it.

Even if a cat has never been outside or on the balcony this is no guarantee that his ears are clean. Sulfur accumulates in them just as it does in the hearing organs of a "backyard" animal living in some basement. Of course, the rate of wax plug formation will be different.

So how do house cats soil their ears? Exactly the same way that outdoor cats do. Sounds, "white" noise and dust are the causes of increased wax secretion and accumulation. A cat's hearing is different from a human's; it is much thinner and sharper. What people simply do not hear much, for an animal can sound very loud. For example, the sound of the refrigerator motor or the noise from the fan inside the computer enclosure are very serious irritants to a cat's hearing.

Therefore an ear cleaning for a cat that never goes outdoors is no less necessary than a cat that spends most of its day in the backyard.

What contributes to dirty ears?

Accumulations of earwax are dangerous not only because they cause various pathogenic health problems and reduce hearing acuity.

Wax accumulations create a favorable environment for the activity of pathogenic bacteria, fungus. Often they also cause various local inflammations, and thus contribute to otitis media.

Also, cats whose owners do not feel the need to clean the ears are more susceptible to parasitic diseases, they are much more likely to become the victims of ear mites, that is infected otodectosis.

How to properly clean a cat's ears at home

Any hygienic procedure should be performed consistently and competently:

• Secure the pet with a plaid, sheet, towel. Wrap the body tightly with the limbs, leaving only the head open.
• Carefully turn the ears outward, inspect the internal surfaces for dirt or signs of disease. If they are not present, release the cat.
• If a little dirt is found, remove it with a dry cotton swab or disc.
• When there is abundant plaque, the ears should be cleaned with pet lotion. Move along the trajectory: from the inside of the ear to the exit, so that lumps of dirt or wax do not get further clogged in the ear canal. Dirty swabs should be changed often, until the entire surface is cleaned.
• Then dip a cotton swab in a hygienic solution, treat all the folds, bends. You should not go deep into the ear, otherwise there is a risk of piercing the eardrum.
• If there are wax plugs, drip special drops of Otifri into the passages, they will help soften the crusts. After the injection, you should gently massage the cat's ears so that the liquid spreads evenly inside.
• After all the procedures are completed, the cat should be released, petted, and given its favorite food.

How often should you brush

The need for a cleaning procedure depends on the cat's breed and the intensity of sulfur secretion. Contamination occurs more often in short-haired and hairless pets: sphinxes, oriental, Siamese, Abyssinian cats. Long-haired animals: Siberian, Turkish, Angora and Persian breeds have long hair near the ear canal, which protects the skin from contamination. Also affect the frequency of cleaning and lifestyle of the pet. If the cat rarely goes outdoors, is in clean living conditions, then often such procedures are not necessary. Animals with free access to the outdoors and not restricted walks are cleaned often enough. Contamination is a breeding ground for pathological microorganisms, mites. What should be included in grooming procedures:

Often cat owners have questions about pigmented spots on their pet's skin, growths, irritations. These are diseases, it is better not to hesitate and go to the vet. It is also worth seeing the doctor if the cat is constantly shaking its head, meows restlessly and refuses to eat.

How to clean a cat's ears at home and do no harm

To avoid causing emotional and physical trauma to the cat, you need to act carefully and leisurely. You can not hold the animal by force, to use force and, even more so, to scold.

Furthermore, it is strictly forbidden to use ordinary chopsticks, let alone clean the cat's ears with matches or tweezers wrapped in absorbent cotton. This may have the following consequences:

• The cat may involuntarily jerk its head, causing injury to the delicate tissue of the ear;
• The coiled absorbent cotton might inadvertently find its way inside the ear canal;
• The hard end of a match or tweezers could scratch the ear canal and cause an infected wound.

Note that the epithelium of a pet's ear canal is very delicate and can easily be scratched due to sloppy movements or too deep penetration of the wand. If its integrity is damaged, there is a risk of interfering with the natural ventilation of the hearing organ. As a result, humidity levels increase, and in such an environment, the risk of bacterial or fungal infection is high.

How to clean a cat's ears – preparation

Don't expect the cat to be happy with your desire to get his ears cleaned. Cats are willful animals and may show their temper as a sign that they don't like the procedure. To develop a calm attitude to brushing, you should accustom the animal to the hygienic event, as well as to water procedures, from childhood.

Before you start brushing, create a calm environment, make sure the animal is fed, content and in good spirits. Put the cat in your arms or comfortably position it on the floor, be affectionate with it, pet it periodically, say gentle words, stop for a while, give it a break.

If the cat is nervous, worried, veterinarians advise fixing it, for this you can use a thick terry towel. Leaving only the muzzle outside will prevent the kitten from scratching, biting, and will also keep it from mechanical injuries. If you can't do it alone, you can involve a second person, then one participant will be responsible for fixing, and the other will gently clean the ears.

How to clean a cat's ears yourself

Always watch your cat carefully. If the cat shakes its head, scratches its ear with its paw and tilts its head sideways, it means that something is bothering the pet.

When the ears are clean inside, without scratches or crusts, everything is normal.

In case you find smelly dirt (flakes) of black or brown color (ear mite and its excrement) or a sticky gray earwax plaque, you should clean the contents following simple rules:

1. use a cotton swab or disk. Use one swab only once, the other ear cannot be cleaned with the same cotton swab.

Sit the cat so that you and he are comfortable. If necessary, swaddle the fluffy cat in a blanket.

First wipe the inside of the ear with a dry disc to remove the accumulation of dirt. Then apply a special lotion (Bars, Rosinka or others) to the swab and treat the ear. This will soften any remaining plaque, which can be removed with a dry cotton pad.

2. To remove the wax plug and clean the ear canal, you can drop in a special animal ear product or boric acid (a few drops).

Always read the instructions first before using a medication, besides, every animal is individual and may not tolerate some product.

3. After a few minutes, the deposits accumulated inside the ear will soften, swell and move to the surface. They can be removed with gauze wrapped around your finger/pencil or with a cotton swab.

But great care and caution is needed here: the slightest awkward movement and you may damage your cat's eardrum.

How often should you clean a cat's ears?

Regular checking of a cat's ears will prevent otitis or parasites from developing. Therefore, you should clean your cat's ears as they get dirty a couple of times a month.

At first glance, it may seem easy to clean your cat's ears. In fact, it is not easy, because purrs have an unusual structure of ear cavities, in addition, not every cat will sit quietly and tolerate.

Note that some breeds (Sphynxes, Cornish Rexes) accumulate sulfur faster than other cat breeds.

And lop-eared breeds need to have their ears checked for parasites and ear infections more often because of the special structure of their ears.

How a cat's ears work

What we used to call cat ears are only The outer part , the auricle. In it you can notice the hairs that trap some of the dust and sand. With the coordinated work of muscles and cartilage, the auricle turns in different directions to pick up sound waves. Cats hear between 20 and 100,00 Hz (while humans hear only 20,000 Hz). All noise is directed to the outer ear canal, an opening that can be seen if you look deep inside the ear.

From there, the middle ear middle ear. . It consists of the eardrum and the eardrum cavity with the three bones. Here auditory waves are translated into vibrations of the fluid that fills inner ear . It is a complex organ responsible not only for hearing, but also for balance.

The external ear canal of cats is longer and more curved than that of humans. If the ears are not cleaned carefully or improperly a wax plug can easily form in it.

How often should you clean a cat's ears

Inspect inner part of ears once a week (if a cat is outdoors, better every day, to be able to spot a mite, for instance). Brush when it gets dirty, about once a month for a normal, healthy cat.

Some breeds need this procedure more often. For example, bald cats (e.g. sphynxes, elves, lefkoi etc.) have no (or almost no) hair covering their ears, and more dirt gets in, so more sulfur is produced. They get their ears cleaned once a week or even more often.

Other cats have hair, but their ears are big. Here you have to look at the situation: some cats need the standard cleaning once a month, others need it every week. Such breeds include Oriental, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Savannah and some others.

If a cat needs to have medicine dripped into its ears, they are cleaned every time before that. Even twice a day, if necessary.

What it's for

Your pet's ears are constantly producing wax, a substance that protects the canals from dirt, parasites and other bacteria. Often, however, there is an overabundance of it, from which the cat itself is not able to get rid of. In this case, it needs the help of the owner. If the matter is left to its own devices, then later you can "get" the pet with wax plugs, otitis, or even mites.

What to wash with and the price of the necessary

To clean the ears use a cotton swab. The use of cotton swabs is not necessary – they can cause serious damage. Gauze cloth is also not suitable, as it can damage soft tissue.

Before wiping the ear, a cotton pad should be moistened with lotion or other disinfectant. There are many options for cleaning.

Cleansing lotion

The most affordable and popular product for this hygienic procedure. Another plus is the wide range of products. More often than not, it is the lotion chosen by pet owners as a means to treat the ear canals of the pet.

Many lotions include in their composition a variety of active hygiene, cosmetic and auxiliary substances. These include various vitamins, aloe extract and food acids. Thus, the lotions have not only a cleansing, but also a therapeutic and preventive action.

A good example is the Bars lotion. Having a low price, it cleans well all the deposits inside the auricle, contains useful additives and has an oily consistency, that is, it almost does not dry the skin.

They are usually sold in an easy-to-use bottle. You will be able to dose the amount of lotion accurately enough during the procedure. In addition, the solution will store well in one until the next use.

Drops

Ear hygiene drops are less common than lotion. In most cases, the drops are a veterinary drug to treat fungal and parasitic diseases. However, there are also disinfectants that leave no residue behind.

Ear drops contain substances that dissolve wax and other ear soiling. As a rule, such means are used regularly, including after long walks or after bathing at home. The price for them is about 1,200 rubles.

Examination of the ears

To detect and treat ear disease in time, examinations are carried out weekly. A healthy cat's ears are clean, warm and a little oily to the touch.

If the animal is let out of the house, inspections are done daily. Mites can get on the cat, sometimes the ears are injured in a fight. Foreign objects cannot be completely excluded.

Examination is simple. It is necessary to bend back the shell, to inspect the inside surface. To better see the hidden corners, you can use a flashlight.

If there are symptoms you should be worried about

• Redness of the skin;
• Fever around the ears;
• Narrowing of the canal due to swelling;
• Brightening/darkening of the wax;
• A squelching sound when pressed;
• discharge containing blood;
• Unpleasant odor;
• Too much wax;
• presence of pus, fluid;
• decreased hearing.

If the cat is sick, its behavior changes. The animal shakes its head, bends to the left, to the right, it often scratches. When touching the ear, the cat flinches, runs away.

Useful video #2: cleaning adult cat's ears