How To Clean Cat Ears?

Due to the narrow and long cat ear canal’s structure, excess wax and debris trapped inside can’t get out without the owner’s help.

However, frequent or incorrect ear cleaning may harm your cat, so you should learn to examine the ears and clean them properly.

Additionally, feline owners should be aware of the cat ear infection and parasite symptoms to seek veterinary help early and find a suitable treatment.

Learn a Cat’s Ear Anatomy

Before cleaning your cat’s ears, you should learn the cat ear anatomy. Of course, there’s no need to read professional veterinary literature and know the topic in-depth.

However, you should be familiar with the main cat ear parts to know where you can clean safely and which parts to avoid touching. Fortunately, the cat ear anatomy is relatively straightforward.

Like people, cats have an inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. The inner ear is a complex system responsible for hearing and balancing.

You can’t reach the cat’s inner ear, but you should be aware of the signs indicating inner ear problems, including loss of balance, difficulty hearing, and disorientation.

The middle ear is located right behind the ear canal and has three tiny bones, two muscles, and the eustachian tube. The cat’s outer ear anatomy is what really matters for an owner wishing to clean their pet’s ears.

The ear flap is the biggest part of a cat’s ear that is safe to touch. In the middle of the ear’s base, you can see the ear canal. Inside the canal is the eardrum.

Eardrum damage can cause complete hearing loss, so you should never get inside the canal. Lastly, the little pocket on a cat’s ear is known as Henry’s pocket.

The reason it’s called Henry’s pocket is a mystery, and so is its actual purpose. Some scientists suggest that it’s necessary for the cat to recognize high-pitched sounds or that it facilitates ear movement, adding flexibility.

Regardless of the cat Henry’s pocket purpose, touching it is not recommended unless you notice severe wax or debris build-up. Even then, prior consultation with a vet is a good idea.

How To Know When Cat’s Ears Need Cleaning

Cats are famous for their immaculate grooming habits, so owners rarely need to assist their pets in cleaning.

However, every cat owner should make ear inspection part of their weekly routine to avoid missing signs of infection and know when cleaning is necessary.

There’s no definite answer to how often to clean a cat’s ears. In ideal circumstances, your pet should be able to clean its ears on its own, so some cats never need to have their ears cleaned.

However, sometimes, excess wax builds up, and the cat may be unable to get rid of it. Examine your cat’s ears.

If they appear clean and have a light pink color, there’s no need for cleaning. Remember that every time you clean your cat’s ears, you risk accidentally causing infection or irritation.

If you notice any gunk, you can help your cat with cleaning to reduce the chance of bacteria growth and improve its comfort.

However, consider consulting with a vet regarding home cat ear cleaning if you aren’t sure whether the gunk actually is wax.

Sometimes, owners confuse wax and debris with worrying signs of ear infections or ear mites.

If your cat is often shaking its head and scratching its ears, the ears are swollen and red, or you notice any discharge, skip the home cleaning.

Ear Inspection – When Not To Clean a Cat’s Ears

Veterinarians often advise regular home ear cleaning for cats with chronic ear infections, but the owner shouldn’t do it before consulting with a professional first. Knowing the symptoms of ear infections in cats helps to spot a problem early.

Shaking head, excessive ear scratching, swollen and red ears, or foul odor are apparent signs of ear infection in cats. However, they don’t always manifest right away and may not be noticeable to a beginner.

Your cat’s behavior may also indicate ear problems. If your pet appears disoriented, loses balance when walking and jumping, or seems to not hear you, it may suffer from an infection.

Another common cat ear problem is ear mites. These parasites feed off ear wax and skin oils and multiply quickly, so the issue requires early treatment. Unfortunately, many owners confuse ear mites with regular debris.

The signs of ear mites in cats include shaking the head, scratching ears, red and inflamed skin, excessive wax build-up, and black, dry discharge similar to coffee beans. Ear mites are usually treated with spot-on gels or ear drops.

Pay special attention to your cat’s Henry’s pocket. Cat ear mites and other parasites often hide inside the pocket because they love to gather in the dark.

What You’ll Need

Cat ear cleaning is a relatively simple process – all you’ll need are soft round cotton pads and a feline ear cleaning solution. Some owners may need a towel to wrap their cat if it’s behaving aggressively, but many cats are rather patient.

Before you head to your local pet store, you should learn how to pick cat ear cleaner that’s effective and won’t harm your furry friend.

Avoid solutions containing vinegar, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other astringents because they can irritate delicate skin. Look for a quick-drying cleaner to prevent it from getting inside the ear canal if the cat shakes its head.

If you can’t find any cleaner in pet stores, make a DIY cat ear cleaning solution from a bit of white vinegar diluted in water, but note that it may sting.

Some vets recommend using olive oil. It has antibacterial properties, killing harmful bacteria, and effectively removes debris from hard-to-reach spaces in the cat’s ear.

Furthermore, olive oil doesn’t sting. Warm it up to room temperature beforehand but ensure it isn’t hot.

Regular water isn’t suitable for cat ear cleaning because it can remain in the ear and trigger yeast or bacteria growth. If your cat has sensitive skin, consult with your vet beforehand about the best suitable solution.

Cleaning Cat’s Ears Step By Step

Wait until your cat is in a good mood before attempting to clean its ears because felines rarely like someone touching their ears. Ensure that your cat is well-fed and rested, and play with it beforehand to drain its energy.

Unless absolutely necessary, don’t clean your cat’s ears after it has gone through stress, like getting lost or acquainted with a new pet in the house. Now, assuming your kitty doesn’t mind cleaning, put it on your lap.

Your cat should sit comfortably and sturdy. If it behaves anxiously or aggressively, give it a treat, catnip, or rub its forehead and speak with a soft, friendly voice, as if you were talking to a baby.

Positive interactions during cleaning are crucial to teaching your cat to be patient throughout the process.

Inspect your cat’s ears for signs of ear infections and dermatological conditions, including inflammation and foul odor. If you notice any symptoms, visit a vet before cleaning.

Supposing your cat’s ears are healthy, gently pull back its ear flap. Hold the cat ear cleaner bottle close to your pet’s ear, but don’t put the tip inside or pour the liquid.

If the tip of the bottle touches the ear, disinfect it before use to prevent yeast and bacteria growth that can cause infection.

Drip a few drops of the cleaner in each ear and gently rub it outside of the ear, paying attention to the base. The cleaner should loosen debris and make them easier to remove.

Note that your cat may shake its head and otherwise show you that it doesn’t approve of the process. Continue calming down your cat by talking softly, but don’t worry if any cleaner gets onto its fur or face – it’s harmless.

Next, use a round cotton pad to wipe debris and excess wax from your pet’s ear, but avoid touching the ear canal. Consider your kitty’s emotional well-being – if it’s stressed, you may have to postpone the cleaning of the second ear.

How Not To Clean Cat’s Ears

Cleaning your pet’s ears may seem like a no-brainer, but a cat’s ear anatomy is complex, and harming your furry friend is easier than one may think. Thankfully, the list of things to avoid when cleaning cat ears isn’t long.

Never use Q-tip to clean a cat’s ears. You may push debris further into the cat’s ear canal or otherwise damage the ear, potentially causing hearing loss and infection.

Don’t use undiluted alcohol, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. Most cat ear cleaning solutions contain such substances for antibacterial properties, but in small amounts to prevent the solution from stinging.

Don’t push too hard when cleaning your cat’s ears. Overall, remember that insufficient cleaning is less likely to harm your pet than excessive effort. By pressing the cotton pad against your cat’s ear, you risk damaging external ear parts.

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