Ears are an area of your cat's body that is often overlooked. Learn how to safely clean a cat's ears and keep your companion healthy.

Cats have their own grooming routine, and depending on their fur type and diet, they may not need much intervention from you to stay clean and healthy. However, there are some tasks they simply can't do on their own, like cleaning their ears.

Why clean your cat's ears?

Eliminate dust mites

Ear mites are tiny parasites that can be very irritating to your cat, causing them to scratch and tremble to the point of injuring themselves. Ear mites feed on dead skin cells. They lodge in the ears because they are attracted to the warm, dark areas of the ear canal.

Mites are microscopic, so you can't see them like you can fleas or ticks, but they leave behind debris that's usually easy to notice. This debris looks like small specks of dirt, like coffee grounds or black sand.

Treating dust mites is usually quite simple, and the sooner you get rid of them, the better! Over-the-counter dust mite treatments can be purchased from your local Animo etc. store or your vet. Severe infestations can be more difficult to treat, so always consult your vet for the safest solution.

Once you've eliminated these parasites, you can return to your regular grooming routine, including ear cleaning, to keep your pet healthy.

How often should you clean your cat's ears?

Cleaning a cat's ears should be done as needed. The best way to determine how often is to visually inspect your cat's ears weekly. Generally, cats need their ears cleaned about once a month, unlike dogs, who require more frequent care.

However, cleaning frequency can depend on other factors, such as environment and diet, or even health issues, such as allergies. Even the shape of their ears and their genetics can affect how quickly dirt, dust mites, and bacteria settle in them.

One of the best times to clean your cat's ears is before or after a flea, tick, or mite treatment to remove debris left behind by the parasites.

The risks of cleaning too frequently

Just like bathing and brushing, grooming your cat's ears can have consequences. Frequent and unnecessary cleaning can dry out the sensitive skin in their ears and cause irritation.

How do I know if my cat needs an ear cleaning?

It's best to inspect their ears weekly for dirt, wax, and irritation. This will be the best indicator of a need for cleaning. Clean your cat's ears only as needed and not too often (unless recommended by a veterinarian).

Signs Your Cat's Ears Are Dirty

Here are some signs that your cat needs its ears cleaned:

1. Visible buildup of dirt or wax in the ear canal

2. Redness of the skin

3. Your cat is scratching its ears excessively

4. Sensitivity to touch

5. Head shaking or tilting

6. Smelly ears

Signs of Ear Infection in Cats

Pay attention! If you notice open sores, bleeding, blisters, pus, or swelling, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. These signs could indicate an infection and must be treated quickly to prevent the problem from worsening.

If an infection occurs, avoid using ear cleaning solutions. These products should not be used on open wounds. After an infection, always ask your veterinarian when you can resume cleaning your cat's ears.

How to Clean Your Cat's Ears at Home

Some cats love to be pampered, while others are decidedly against a feline spa day. How you groom your cat depends on their comfort level with the grooming process and yours.

If you've never cleaned your cat's ears before, or if your cat is a little reluctant, follow these tips for cleaning your cat's ears, starting with gathering the supplies you'll need.

Equipment for cleaning your cat's ears

Before you begin cleaning your cat's ears, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Here's a list of the equipment we recommend having on hand to clean a cat's ears:

• Ear cleaning solution ;

• Cotton pads or pads for removing makeup;

• Two large clean bath towels;

• Pet cleaning wipes.

The right time and a quiet place to soothe your cat

Even cats who are familiar with the grooming routine can feel uncomfortable with this experience. Perform the grooming in a quiet area of the home where there are no distractions, such as other people or pets. This will help your cat stay relaxed and make the entire process easier.

The best time to start a grooming session is when your cat is calm (and so are you). Help them relax by petting them slowly and gently. You want them to associate grooming with positive feelings, so showing them a little love is a good way to start.

Steps to Cleaning Your Cat's Ears

Step 1

You can gently massage and fold back the ear, grasping the tip with your thumb and index finger. You should pull the ear back slightly so you can clearly see the inside of the canal.

Step 2

Use one hand to gently tilt your cat's head so that the ear you want to clean is facing upward. With the other hand, scoop up the ear rinse solution and tilt the nozzle into your cat's ear canal.

Step 3

Squeeze gently and slowly directly into the ear canal. The faster you squeeze the bottle of cleaning solution into the ear, the more frightened your cat will be. So, go slowly but surely. You want enough liquid so that the ear canal is partially filled (less than half full).

Your cat will instinctively try to shake off the liquid solution. This is why you'll need to work quickly. You may need to hold its head with one hand.

Step 4

With your other hand, place your thumb and index finger at the base of your ear and gently massage the outside of your ear. This will allow the cleaning fluid to penetrate the deep crevices of your ear canal and loosen any accumulated debris and wax.

Step 5

The next step is the messy part. Let go of your cat's head. Keep one hand on their body to keep them from running away, but let them shake their head to get the cleaning solution out of their ear. This will send droplets of cleaning solution everywhere, so use one of your towels to cover your cat and limit any splashes.

Step 6

Once your cat has shaken off the excess cleaning fluid, you can finish cleaning it manually. Take a pet wipe or use a clean towel to wipe the ear.

Step 7

Next, take a cotton ball and pour a little cleaning fluid onto it, so that it's damp, but not dripping. Use the cotton ball to wipe the ear and any remaining debris or dirt. You should only clean the areas of the ear that are visible. Avoid going too deep.

Focus on the small folds and crevices in the upper ear, which are more likely to collect debris. You may need to change the cotton swab if the first one gets dirty quickly.

Step 8

Repeat these steps on the other ear. Always use a new, clean cotton ball for the other ear. If there is an infection or bacteria, you want to avoid spreading it from one ear to the other.

Step 9

Finally, end this cleaning session with a reward. By giving your cat a treat, a favorite toy, or a few strokes, they will understand that they have behaved well. This will help them associate ear cleaning with something positive.

Did you know that…

If you're not comfortable cleaning your cat's ears yourself, we offer grooming, ear cleaning, and nail trimming services for your cat in all our stores. You can book an appointment at Animo etc. for professional grooming service near you.