Safe Ear Products to Use for Cleaning a Cat's Ears
If your cat has been rolling around in the dirt or has a little extra wax in his ears, he probably needs them cleaned. A simple cleaning is certainly something that most people can do at home. However, not every ear cleaner marketed for pets and humans is safe for your cat, so make sure you choose a cat friendly ear cleaning product.
Choosing an Ear Cleaner for Your Cat
The best ear cleaners for home use in cats are the most gentle. For general care, you can pick up a good ear cleaner at most pet supply centers. Choose a non-medicated, alcohol-free product labeled for cats to get the best results. Additionally, consider choosing ear wipes rather than liquid ear cleaner. Many cat owners find moistened wipes easier to use than liquid formulas that need to squirted into the ears. These wipes are widely available and well tolerated by most cats.
Products to Avoid
The most important thing to remember when you buy an ear cleaner for your cat is to find a product specifically labeled for use in cats. Never use any cleaner labeled for humans or solely for dogs unless directed to do so by a veterinarian. The reason for this is that cats are more sensitive to many drugs than humans or dogs. Combine this with the fact that cats self-groom and are likely to ingest some of the cleaner and you have the potential for danger. If a gentle cleaner formulated for cats does not solve the problem, your cat needs medical attention.
Medicated Ear Cleaners
Although many pet stores carry medicated formulas, you should avoid these without a veterinarian's recommendation. You can do a lot more harm than good if you use incorrect medication on your cat If you think your cat needs medication because he is shaking his head, pawing at his ear, the ear is red, there is a foul smell, there is discharge or there is black material that looks like greasy coffee grounds in the cat's ear, you need to consult a veterinarian. These signs indicate a problem that you cannot solve with simple cleaning.