How to Keep Cat Ears Clean
If you do not clean your cat's ears on a regular basis, you are not alone. It is one of the most neglected areas of feline care. Left unattended, however, your pet will develop an infestation of ear mites that could lead to serious infection. The process takes only a few minutes about once each month and is relatively easy to accomplish.
Things you will need:
- Commercial cat ear cleaner, olive oil or mineral oil
- Cotton balls
- Eye dropper
- Bowl or plastic container
- Towel (For the fainthearted or those with especially unruly felines)
- Choose an opportune time. While it may be tempting to add a good ear cleaning to your cat's bath schedule, one annoying routine at a time is enough. Avoid the distraction of other pets in the area. A relaxed kitty is much easier to work with than an agitated one.
- Place your selected cleaning fluid into a bowl of warm water. Your pet is less likely to react combatively to the fluid when administered at body temperature.
- For your own comfort and ease in handling, place your pet on a table. As a rule, cats dislike restraint. However, if yours is particularly incorrigible with an inclination to scratch, you might also find that wrapping him in a towel is a prudent step in the process.
- Gently fold back the end of his ear to reveal the interior, and release a drop or two of the cleaning fluid into the ear canal. Massage the outer base of the ear for about a minute to work the liquid in well.
- Swab the inside of the ear well with a cotton ball. Do not use Q-tips or any similar device that might penetrate the ear canal.
- Complete the same procedure to the other ear.
- Help make the experience as positive as possible by giving your pet his favorite treat afterwards. Not only is he less likely to scowl at you for an hour or so, but if he comes to recognize that as part of the routine, subsequent cleanings will be easier.