When it comes to grooming and cleaning, cats are known to be self-grooming pets. You might have seen them lick-cleaning their paws and furs, but this doesn’t mean they are entirely self-dependent when it comes to hygiene.

Animals can not clean their ears, which means you must know how to clean cat’s ears. A cat’s ear is a sensitive part of her body, and it will be tricky to find ways to clean it.

Before starting with our cleaning tips mentioned later in this article, you should analyze whether you can start the cleaning on your own or need a veterinarian to look into it first.

Can You Clean Cat’s Ears On Your Own?

It depends on the condition of your cat’s health. While it is generally advised to go to a vet first to learn the practical cleaning method, it may also be necessary as your cat may have serious infections.

The symptoms of an ear infection include your kitty scratching its ear and shaking her head, itching, and redness of the ear. Foul smell is also another symptom of ear infection. Excessive wax build-up and mites are other physical symptoms. If these are present in your cat, don’t be a vet yourself. Instead, consult your nearby vet.

Tips to Clean Cat’s Ears

With all the precautions taken, it is now time to learn how to clean your kitty’s ear regularly, so it becomes a part of her hygiene practice.

Get Geared Up!

For a perfect cleaning setup. You need certain tools to clean her ear. Some of the tools are:

Gauze

Gauze or a cotton ball is needed to wipe clean. Gauze is a better choice as it gives you more grip and can cover areas of the inner ear that are difficult to access.

Solution

A solution is needed to clean the debris and wax build-up. It’s better to use one recommended by a vet so that your cat does not get any sort of allergic reaction or side effects.

Towel

Cats often shake their head when they feel something fishy on their skin, especially if someone is dripping a solution in her ear. A towel would come in handy here.

Getting Started

The best time to start the process is when your cat is more relaxed, and what better time is to do that when your cat has taken her meal. They usually get sloppy and relaxed after a meal, so it’s a preferred time to get her cleaned up. Pick her up and roll her over gently. But don’t overdo it, she shouldn’t feel too much uncomfortable.

Bend the tip of her ear slowly towards the head and pour some solution inside her ear. If she gets too much frightened by that, try pouring the solution on the gauze instead.

Next, start wiping the inside of the ear by inserting the gauze with your index finger. Gently wipe all the areas of the ear and make sure no part is left uncleaned, because if it is, then the wax or the infection will quickly build up again.

After you are done with the first round, repeat the process a few times until you are satisfied. After this, use a new and dry gauze to dry her ear. Repeat the process with the other ear.

How Often Should You Do It?

A general rule is to make it a part of your kitty’s maintenance routine. But there is no fixed rule; you can do it as per your cat’s requirement. Some cats do get dirty pretty quickly as they wander outside too often, while those who rarely step outside the house don’t usually get dirty ears. This doesn’t just apply to dirty ears, but the overall cleanliness of the cat. The more she strolls, the dirty she will get.

Another factor that might affect her ear hygiene is the sanitary conditions in the house. If it is too much and the floor does not get cleaned regularly, your cat’s ear will become the breeding ground for germs—and dirt.

So, In a nutshell, you should clean your cat’s ear on every second bath/maintenance routine. This means that if you bathe your cat every month, then the ear maintenance cycle should not exceed two months, and so on.

What If I Don’t Do It?

It is not really a choice. The maintenance routine for a cat, especially that of her ears should be on your must-to-do list.

If proper care is not given, the following conditions might occur.

• Walking imbalance: You heard it, your poor kitty might find it difficult to walk and balance herself properly, which is pretty dangerous. Cats need a keen sense of balance as they often walk on steep paths and patterns, and any imbalance can result in injury and even life-threatening consequences.
• Furious behavior: Cats often display aggressive behavior whenever they get seriously ill, and an ear infection can turn her destructive side on. When aggressive, she will welcome you with her claws instead of curling up in your lap.

What Causes the Infection?

There are many factors, but the most common being the sanitary conditions. If your cat does not get proper care and attention, she will get dirty ears in no time.

Secondly, cats tend to get infections by cuts and lesions invited after fighting with another cat. A cat’s claws carry germs, and that may result in infections.

Diabetes and other dietary factors might also cause wax build-up inside your cat’s skin. Therefore, a healthy diet is a key to a healthy kitty instead of just trying to get her to look like Garfield.

The Best Solution for Cleaning

There are different types of solutions available in the market. But before you know which type of solutions you should buy, you should first know which one to avoid.

You should never use any solution, swab, or gauze which contains alcohol. Alcohol can further disturb your kitty’s condition and might get her deaf.

Now, coming towards what can you use. If you don’t want to go into complexity, then buy an anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial solution. In this way, you can wipe off any kind of germs that might be breeding.

If your cat is injured and has an ear infection at the same time, then try getting a solution that is mixed with water and is not too much concentrated. A concentrated solution would give further pain to the injured area.

Conclusion

All cats look beautiful and cute if they stay clean. Proper hygiene is not only good for the looks but also very important for your cat’s health. Therefore, cleaning your cat’s ear is very important and should be implemented even if your cat looks perfectly normal because one cannot see the infection with naked eyes when it has started. So it’s better to take a proactive approach to save yourself and your little friend from trouble.

Moreover, your cat will have an overall satisfied and happy attitude towards you if she is well taken care of. So it’s high time you grab a cleaning kit for those furry little ears!