There are many different ways to tell when to clean your cat’s ears, but there are a few key signs that your pet needs regular cleaning. These signs include excessive dirt, wax, or black coffee grounds. Excessive dirt can be a sign of ear mites, which may be the cause of your cat’s discomfort. However, you don’t have to clean your cat’s ears every day to keep them healthy.
Cleaning a cat’s ears
Your cat’s ears are an ideal place to prevent ear infections. The inner and outer ears can accumulate debris, wax, and lint, and a cat with dirty ears may shake its head to try to get rid of the parasites. Ear mites are a major cause of ear infections in cats. Fortunately, your cat is unlikely to suffer from these parasites, but they can cause your cat some pain and discomfort. Here are a few tips to keep your cat’s ears clean and healthy:
Prepare a towel nearby. This will help minimize the mess and let the cleaner drain onto the towel. You can also use a cotton pad or gauze square to clean the ear. Never use a cotton swab to clean a cat’s ear, as you may accidentally introduce bacteria and mites into your cat’s ears. You may have to brace your cat’s head to clean the ear.
Ensure that your cat is calm and relaxed before cleaning its ears. If your cat is agitated or frightened, it may claw at you or scratch you and the ear. Never place any object in the ear canal, as this can damage the sensitive eardrum membrane. Instead, use a cotton swab that is moistened with olive oil. When your cat is calm, try to clean both ears at the same time.
Cleaning a cat’s eardrums
Cats are extremely clean animals and are notorious for grooming themselves, so cleaning their ears should be no different. Typically, cats clean their ears by licking them or using their paws to clean them. However, if you notice your cat licking or picking at the eardrums, you should take your cat to the vet. The symptoms of infection or abrasion may be a sign of a more serious problem.
To minimize the mess, clean your cat’s ears in a bathroom or bathtub, where you can wipe up the excess liquid. Always be prepared with a clean towel, as your cat might still shake its head. If your cat reacts badly to the process, take a minute to relax before continuing with the cleaning process. This way, your cat will not be frightened by the procedure and will not feel intimidated or stressed when you are finished.
The next step in cleaning your cat’s eardrums is to fold back its outer ear. Gently wipe the ear lobe with a clean cotton ball, and make sure you only clean the visible parts of the ear. Do not use cotton-tipped applicators to clean the eardrum, as they could push debris deeper into the ear canal. Once you’ve finished cleaning the cat’s eardrums, make sure to reward your cat with lots of praise. Of course, you should only clean your cat’s ears on a veterinarian’s recommendation.
