Symptoms Of Cat Ear Infection
Following are the most common symptoms of a cats ear infection:
- Red Ears
- Green, yellow or red pus inside cats ear
- Odor coming from cats ears
- Swelling or redness in ears
Note* If you feel any of these symptoms in your cat, consult your veteran as soon as possible. But if you only see a speck of dirt in your cats ear, then its fine you can clean it at home and you should know how to clean the cats ears.
Find Signals Of Mites At Cats
When biting cats ears, mites will firmly attach to cats ears until they complete the blood-sucking process. It is challenging to know that you see a dark nodule or a mite on the cats ears because you cannot see the mites heads when they are sucking blood. Mites often crawl on the cats bodies as they do not know how to leap or fly. Just see their legs to distinguish. Mites often gather at warm parts on the cats bodies such as in ears, toenails, or under armpits. However, you can find them anywhere on the cats bodies.
If cats come to places where they may have mites or go outside, you should check them carefully. If you do not make sure that kind of bugs is a mite, you can put it in a sealed plastic bag and bring it to the veterinarian.
How To Clean Cat Ears
Hold your fur baby in your lap and gently hold them in place. Is your kitty a reluctant cuddler? If so, this is when the towel comes in handy. Safely pick up your cat and wrap them securely in a towel before putting them on your lap. If you have a human helper, they can hold your cat while you clean the ears or vice versa.
Read Also: Do Cats And Dogs Have Belly Buttons
Tips For How To Clean A Cats Ears
Even if you think your cat needs an ear cleaning, your feline friend may have a different opinion. Here are a few tips to help you through the process:
- Have a second person your hold your cat while cleaning her ears to keep her from moving.
- Never use a Q-tip in the ear canal, as Cottrell says it can damage the eardrum and push debris further inside the ear. Instead, use a Q-tip to only clean visible earflap folds.
- Before you begin the cleaning process, it can be helpful to wrap the cat in a towel to keep them still, Cottrell said.
- Remember how your cat will shake its head to get out that excess liquid? Cottrell has one last, important tip: Be sure and close your eyes and mouth before letting your cat shake its head!
Things To Be Aware Of
Dont use cotton buds as there is a risk of putting them in too far which can cause damage inside the ear.
Never use the same piece of cotton wool in both ears.
If there is any unusual discharge or smell contact your vet before continuing.
If your cat is unhappy with you trying to clean the ears, then dont struggle as you may cause harm to your cat or yourself. A qualified nurse at your vets will be happy to help clean your cats ears for you.
We want our cats to be as healthy as possible and having healthy ears is part of our duty as a responsible pet owner. If an ear infection is kept untreated it could not only cause excruciating pain but it could get worse and lead to hearing loss. Have a look at our wide range of cover levels to find cover that suits you and your cat the best.
See how we can help cover your pets from injuries and illnesses.
Don’t Miss: H.p. Lovecraft Cat Name
Final But Important Tips For Cleaning Your Cats Ear
- Do not use cotton swabs inside the ear for cleaning or it might damage the eardrum and push the debris further in the ear canal. However, you may use the swabs to clean the folds on ear flaps.
- Take another persons help to hold the cat while cleaning.
- Do not use any other oils other than olive oil as there are no scientific studies performed with those.
- Do not compare cat ears with human ears. Medications to treat humans should not be used on cats.
- Do Not use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or alcohol to clean cat ears. Use a mild ear cleaner specially meant for cats.
- Do not use your dogs ear cleaner on your cat. Cats are sensitive and they might get reacted to medications used on dogs.
- If you arent sure that you can handle your cat and do the cleaning properly, better visit the veterinary hospital and get safer cleaning done.
You can support CatLovesBest with your views and comments:)
How To Clean Cats Ears
Most cats do a great job of keeping their own ears clean. Their grooming habits are so meticulous that they will even clean behind and in the inner flap of the ears. However, cats will sometimes need help cleaning their ears. Its also a good idea to frequently check your cats ears to look for problems lurking inside the ears that could become more serious.
Best care for our best Friends
CVC Team
Also Check: What Did Lovecraft Name His Cat
Caution: Things To Know Before Attempting To Clean Your Cats Ears
-
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol as they can cause discomfort
-
Never use a cotton swab 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.
-
Only clean what you can see this is what the ear cleaner is intended to clean
How To Clean A Cats’ Ears
Recommended Reading: What Breed Is A Calico Cat
What Cleaner Should I Use To Clean Cats Ear
It is suggested to use a good quality cleaner for better results. Avoid using cleaners that contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide because they can cause serious irritation to your cats ear.
Before buying any cleaning solutions first read its instruction to check if it contains hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.
You may be interested in: How often can you apply revolution on your cat?
If your cat is facing inflammation or ulceration in its canal, then you should use antibacterial or antifungal cleaner, it also helps in removing wax build-up. It is better to consult your cats veterinarian to decide which cleaning is good for your cats ear.
Instead of buying a cleaning, you can also make one at your home by mixing white vinegar and green tea and spray this solution into the ears. Dont use these homemade solutions if your cat contains an infection, wound or scratch in its ear.
Never use water in the solution because it will sit in the inner part of the cats ear and allows the yeast to grow. Olive oil is also good for cleaning the outer part of your cats ear. Now your question of what can I use to clean my cats ears is clear now.
S To Cleaning Your Cats Ear
If any of these are present, contact your veterinarian right away for treatment recommendations before cleaning.
If the tip comes into contact with your cats ear, cleanse it with an alcohol wipe before using it.
Also Check: 2 Year Old Cat In Human Years
How To Clean A Cats Ears
Your cat probably seems pretty self-sufficient and it might even seem like they have self-care figured out, thanks to all that grooming that goes on. Unfortunately, thats only partially true sometimes, especially if they have ear problems, our cats must rely on us for a good, safe ear cleaning.
Veterinarians know all about cleaning your cats ears and can take care of it easily, however, if you prefer to take care of them at home, there are a few things you can do to make the process go smoothly. Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell, DVM at the Cat Hospital at Towson in Baltimore, Maryland, lent her expertise when it comes to cleaning your cats ears, from how often you should do it to tips that will make the process easier.
How To Approach Your Cat For Cleaning
The best time to clean your cats ears is when hes sleepy or in the mood for petting and attention. At this time, look into his ears, decide whether the cleaning is needed, and start cleaning. On the other hand, if you approach your cat when he is playful, he may not let you touch his ears and inspect properly. You might end up being playfully scratched or bitten instead.
If youre not sure your cat will retaliate or not, use a towel to cover him and do the job. This will save you from your pets scratches.
Simply hold the ear flap and turn it inside out so that you can look inside of your cats ears. Use a flashlight if the room is dark and no direct light or bright sunlight is available. Check the other ear the same way.
Now that you have a clear sight of his ears, you can decide whether you need to see a vet or clean it by yourself. If the ears seem quite clean, theres definitely no need to follow the further steps.
You May Like: How To Keep Cats Off Lawn Furniture
Two: Prep For Cleaning
Before cleaning the inner ear, be sure to take a look at the area around your cats ears and remove any excess, matted, or dirty hair from around the ear flap or ear canal. Regular trimmings like this can keep air flowing in and around the ears, making wax buildup less likely in the future.
As you prepare for the cleaning process, be sure youre patient and gentle with your pet. The extra care will ensure your cat is calm throughout what can be a less-than-pleasant experience for them.
What Can I Do About My Cats Ear Discharge
Depending on what your veterinarian finds, treatment for your cats ear discharge might include: Treating cat ear mites . Ear mites can thrive inside your cats ear, munching on ear wax and skin oils. Your veterinarian will probably diagnose an ear mite infection by checking a sample of your cats ear wax under a microscope.
Recommended Reading: Cats Life In Human Years
What Kind Of Cat Needs Ear Cleaning
Not all types of cats need ear cleaning, some of them have healthy, clean ears and have a natural tendency of cleaning ears itself.
It is recommended to clean the cats ear only if there is a need for cleaning. Overcleaning can destroy canals, can also cause an ear infection.
Only clean your cats ear if you feel a liquid discharge from ears or if you examine odor from ears. Your veterinarian will tell you the best way and the right time to clean the cats ear as he will teach you properly how to clean the cats ears.
How To Clean A Cat’s Ears
Ears are one area of your cat’s body that often get forgotten when it comes to grooming. Learn how to clean a cat’s ears safely and keep your cat healthy and happy.
Cats are adept self-groomers and depending on their fur type and diet, might not require a lot of intervention from you to keep them clean and healthy when it comes to their self-care routines. However, there are a few jobs that they just cant do on their own, like cleaning their ears.
Ear cleaning may not be the first job that comes to mind when you think about grooming your cat at home but can be easily incorporated into their grooming routine.
You May Like: How To Remove Old Cat Urine From Hardwood Floors
Natural And Homemade Ear Cleaner For Cats
Olive oil is considered a useful ear cleaner among all the best cat ear cleaners. The oil must be kept at room temperature, it shouldnt be hot or cold. Do not put any oil drops into the cats ears. To clean the ears by using olive oil you must moisten a cotton ball with the oil and squeeze it. Wipe the ears with the cotton ball and gently rub inside the earflaps.
This method can be used for regular cleaning, whereas for cats with some ear health issues, we recommend you to use a solution prescribed by the vet.
Tips For Cleaning A Cats Ears
You may have read these instructions and thought, There is no way my cat would tolerate this!
Dont worry. We know that an ear cleaning isnt exactly a natural feeling for your cat and their response may be less than enthusiastic. Fortunately, we have a few tricks to help make the process a little easier and safer for you and your cat.
Don’t Miss: What Are Cat Years Compared To Human Years
Why Should You Clean Your Cats Ears
Cats are fairly good at keep themselves tidy, something youve likely observed if youve spent any time with a feline friend, and their ears are especially good at taking care of themselves, as they have a natural, built-in cleaning mechanism in which the wax migrates toward the external part of the ear, Cottrell said.
However, if your cat has had any ear issues, like ear mites, blood blisters or ear infections, a cleaning is likely necessary. A cats ears should also be cleaned thoroughly by a vet before topical medication is applied so the medication can be effective, Cottrell said. Check your cats ears regularly for any signs of abnormality.