How to clean cat ears at home. How to clean the ears of a kitten at home How to clean the ears of a cat and how

Ears are the most important organ for cats: they are responsible for orientation in space and a sense of balance.

Cat ears need to be taken care of and cleaned regularly.

Why do cats clean their ears?

Like humans, cats develop wax in their ears. This is a protective mechanism that protects the eardrum from dust and other dirt.

Excess sulfur leads to the formation of ear plugs, and also becomes a favorable environment for unwanted bacteria. Dirty ears can cause ear diseases such as ear mites.

How often should you clean your cat's ears?

For breeds with a non-standard ear structure and an insufficient amount of hair in the ear, the procedure is carried out more often. The hearing aid of such cats needs to be carefully monitored.

The owner is obliged to monitor the condition of the ears of his cat. Check each ear regularly for unusual discharge or rashes. If in any doubt contact your veterinarian immediately.

Preparing to clean your ears

Teach your kitten to the procedure from a young age. Start with a daily examination of the ear, so as not to injure the pet's psyche.

Before cleaning the ears, play and caress the cat so that he calms down, and then give a treat. When the pet understands that they do not want to harm him, he will get used to the process and will not be nervous.

For the procedure you will need:

Cotton buds with limiters;
Pieces of gauze or cotton pads;
Ear cleaning gel.

Do not clean the cat's ears with matches with wound pieces of cotton: it is so easy to scratch the delicate skin. Do not pour oil or saliva on the stick instead of the gel - this is not hygienic. If cleaning the ears is not preventive, instead of gel, the ears are cleaned with medicine.

Even a cat accustomed to the procedure can suddenly twitch, so fix the pet. To do this, you can call an assistant or use a towel.

Carrying out the procedure

Perform all actions carefully and gently so as not to damage the ear. Take your time, stroke the cat and talk in a calm voice.

Turn the tab out so you can see the surface being cleaned. So you will be in complete control of the process and will not hurt the cat. Then start cleaning:

Dip a cotton swab in the gel or medicine;
Gently and shallowly insert the wand, scraping the dirt out;
Do not rotate the wand in your ear and do not push dirt in;
Clean the outer part of the ear with a cotton pad;
The safe depth of ear cleaning is no more than 1 centimeter.

Change the wand each time or you will put the wax back in your ear. Clean only the visible part of the organ: this way you definitely won’t do any harm.

If you are afraid to climb into your ear, try the following trick. Pour a couple of drops of saline warmed up to body temperature into the ear and massage. Let the pet shake its head, and then use a cotton pad to clean the leaked sulfur.

The cat should not shake its head constantly - this is one of the signs of ear diseases. If the sulfur builds up too quickly, is black, or has a different color, contact your veterinarian. Take care of the cat's ears!

Reading 15 min. Published on 01.02.2020

Cleaning the ears of a healthy cat or cat: should it be done?

Cats are very clean, but they cannot clean their ears on their own. The release of ear wax is characteristic not only of humans, but also of animals. Dust, particles of wool, dirt often get into the ears. All this, accumulating, impairs hearing and contributes to the development of pathogenic microflora. Mother licks the ears of small kittens, and the care of an adult pet falls on the owner's shoulders.

In a healthy animal, sulfur is light brown in color, without a strong unpleasant odor. It is important to remember that excessive accumulation of secretion and dirt in the auricle becomes a good environment for the development of infection and inflammation. Cat ears should be inspected once every 2 weeks, and cleaned at least once a month.

During the examination, you can see changes that indicate problems with the health of the pet. Normally, the auricle should be pinkish, warm and slightly oily. Sulfur serves as a kind of barrier that prevents dust and dirt from entering the ear canal. Ideally, it should be released in small amounts and evenly distributed over the auricle.

What you need to clean your ears

Many cats do not like the cleansing procedure, they can break out, scratch, hiss, and even bite. It is best to teach from an early age, as cleaning a kitten's ears is easy. A kitten whose ears have been cleaned slowly, without sudden movements since childhood, has no fear of such a procedure. Some pets even like it, they close their eyes and lie still.

Adult uncooperative animals are best wrapped in a large towel or thin blanket. It is important that the cat does not have the opportunity to pull out its paws. So you not only easily carry out cleaning, but also protect yourself from deep scratches.

What you need for cleaning:

cotton pads (sponzhiki), they can be replaced with a soft cotton cloth;
cotton buds;
a special cleaning lotion or gel, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.

Since sometimes it is urgent to clean the ears of a cat at home, a special lotion can be replaced with vegetable oil or warm boiled water.

You should know that any cleanser is applied to a cotton pad. Do not put it in the ears of cats in any case.

Cat breeds with increased sulfur production

Cornish Rex kitten

In cats, the hearing organs are arranged in the same way as in humans, and consist of three main sections. The auricle itself is located in the outer one, in the middle section there is the tympanic membrane and special auditory ossicles that help the animal to pick up sound. The inner ear consists of nerve canals and the vestibular apparatus, which is necessary for orientation in space. Despite the same structure, the hearing apparatus in cats is much better developed than in humans.

These amazing animals are able to perceive ultrasonic vibrations inaccessible to the human ear. Cats determine the distance to the sound source literally up to a centimeter. The ability of pets to turn their ears 180 degrees allows you to catch more sounds.

american curl

american curl;
sphinx;
cornish rex;
Scottish lop-eared;
Persian;
British;
Ukrainian Levkoy.

Ukrainian Levkoy

Cats with large ears will have to process them daily, lop-eared - a little less often. More than others, Persians, British and lop-eared Scots are prone to the formation of earwax. They need to carry out the procedure at home weekly, but ear sticks cannot be used so as not to damage the eardrum. It is easier to do this with a special lotion and a cotton pad.

Ear cleaning rules

So that for carrying out hygiene measures you do not have to run after your pet around the house, pull it out from under the bed or remove it from the closet, you should play a little with it or caress it before the procedure. All that is needed must be prepared in advance. In order to calm the cat, it is enough to stroke it and talk in a calm, quiet voice. Prepare your favorite treat. A small piece can be given in advance.

How to properly clean your ears:

wrap your pet in a thin blanket;
gently bend the ear outward so that all the curves of the inner part become visible. It doesn't hurt cats;
soak a cotton pad or soft cloth in a cleanser, and gently wipe the entire inside of the ear;
if there is a lot of dirt, then you should take a clean disc and repeat the cleaning;
the cotton swab should also be moistened and all bends thoroughly cleaned. If necessary, the procedure should be repeated.

Cat ears are unique organs of hearing and balance. This is not only the auricle and ear canal, but also a complex system that is located in the chambers behind the eardrum. This includes the vestibular apparatus. It is he who ensures the landing of the cat on four paws. The hearing sensitivity of an animal is three times higher than that of humans. But the more complex the organ, the more discomfort can cause a violation of its functions. Therefore, to maintain the health and comfort of a cat, it is important to monitor the condition of her ears.

When should you clean your cat's ears?

Hygiene is one of the most important aspects of caring for a pet. Ideally, inspection should be done daily. To do this, during normal games and caresses, gently bend the ear and look inside. It should be light pink and clean, with a small amount of sulfur allowed.

Preventive ear cleaning is done every 2-4 weeks, but the exact schedule depends on the breed and the individual characteristics of your pet. In cats with large or drooping ears, the ear canal gets dirty faster. These breeds include Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, Savannah, Cornish and Devon Rex, Abyssinian, Oriental, Somali cats.

Breeds that do not have hair on the inside of the ear are prone to more active sulfur production. This is due to the fact that the hairline protects against the ingress of dirt and dust. And since it is absent or present in small quantities in Devon Rex, elves, sphinxes, Siamese and other cats, the body produces sulfur more strongly to maintain hygiene.

If you find a sulfur buildup, you can remove it at home, and then observe the condition of the animal.

What to prepare before the procedure

Clean cotton pads, swabs or small soft wipes.
Cosmetic and hygienic lotion for cleaning the ears.

Shampoos, soap solutions and other liquids should not be used. They can harm your pet's health.

It is also impossible to use hygienic sticks or matches wrapped in cotton wool for three reasons:

The animal may jerk its head during the procedure, which entails a risk of damage to the ear canal.
During the cleaning process, the cotton part may remain in the ear, which is dangerous for the pet.
There is a risk of scratching the inside of the ear with a hard object, which can cause infection.

How to prepare for ear waxing

The pet must first be calmed, caressed or played with. It is best to teach your cat to examine the ears from a very young age, so that she can easily endure the procedures. If the pet is nervous, it can be carefully fixed so that it does not harm itself or the owner. To do this, the animal is wrapped in a soft towel, leaving only the head outside. It is also possible to carry out the procedure together: one person holds the cat, the second cleans her ears.

Procedure steps

Before use, the lotion must be warmed in the hand so that cold drops do not cause discomfort in the animal.
The vial should then be shaken vigorously for a few seconds.
Open the cap and put 2-5 drops of the product on the inside of the ear.

Massage the base of the ear in circular motions to better distribute the liquid.
With a cotton pad dipped in lotion, wipe the ear from the inside to the edges, paying attention to each crease.

The process is more clearly presented in our video.

After brushing, treat your pet to your favorite treat. The process should be associated in the cat with pleasant moments, so that it can be easily carried out in the future.

What to pay attention to

Too much secretion in the ear canal forms a breeding ground for the development of pathogenic microflora. In more advanced cases, sulfur plugs may appear, which entail pressure on the eardrum, hearing disorders and the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. This can manifest itself in an unsteady gait, head tilted to the side, and other symptoms.

Remember: if the cat began to shake its head, scratch its ears, or otherwise show anxiety, and you find discharge, black plaque, brown spots or redness inside the auricle, these may be signs of diseases that threaten the pet's health.

In this case, you need to urgently show the animal to the veterinarian. He will examine the ears and prescribe appropriate treatments, procedures, or the use of specific drugs.

Ear cleaners for cats

In your home veterinary first aid kit, be sure to have an ear cleaning lotion, such as Bars. It suits both cats and dogs. Cosmetic and hygiene product perfectly cleans the pet's ears, removing exudate, dirt and sulfur, disinfects and soothes the skin. It is also recommended to use it before the use of medicinal preparations. Read the instructions carefully before use.

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In order for your mustachioed and fluffy family friend to be always healthy, you need to take care of him, which includes many aspects: feeding, caring for hair, teeth, ears. It happens that the owner asks the question: is it necessary to clean the ears of cats?
As you know, a cat is a clean animal, watching her habits, you can see how she performs hygiene procedures - she washes herself and cleans her ears. But sometimes the pet may need the help of the owner.

How to clean cat ears at home

If the cat shakes its head or constantly scratches its paw in the ear, perhaps something is bothering it. Take the animal in your arms, caress it, carefully look inside the auricle.

If the ear canal is clean - great, you don’t need to do anything, but if you notice black or brown dirt, then most likely it’s a sulfur coating or an ear mite - then start cleaning. To properly clean your cat's ears, follow these simple rules:

Take some cotton swabs (discs). Do not use the cotton swab more than once, it is a consumable item. 1 cleaning - 1 swab. Remember this!
Place the cat next to you or hold it on your knees, with one hand clasping the withers. Shy animals should be wrapped in a blanket and their paws fixed to avoid getting scratches.
With a dry swab, wipe the surface of the cat's ear inside. If it is not heavily polluted, this is quite enough. Or you can apply a special cleaning gel to a cotton pad or moisten the cotton with lotion. This will help soften the deposits and take care of the skin at the same time.
Some of the products (boric acid) can be instilled inside to remove plugs. But before that, you must carefully read the instructions and take into account the indications and contraindications for the drug.
If you have chosen to clean your ears with cotton buds, you need to be especially careful! You need to act very carefully. The wand is not recommended to be inserted deep into the ear canal. If the cat is frightened and starts to break out, then the eardrum is likely to be damaged, which will lead to deafness.

Do I need to clean my cat's ears and how often?

It is recommended that you check your pet's ears regularly and clean them if necessary. Even if you think you know how to clean your pet's ears, you must follow the precautions in this procedure so as not to cause pain or damage the ear canal.

At first glance, the procedure seems simple. Cats have a peculiar structure of the auricles, and if the animal is shy, then this will complicate the manipulation. Nevertheless, you need to be patient, prepare your pet for regular checkups and, if necessary, cleaning the ears.

On average, you need to clean your ears every 2-3 months.

Cats of expensive breeds that participate in exhibitions, in any case, cannot do without constant cleaning of their ears - after all, they must look perfect, dirty ears are unacceptable.

It has been noticed that in short-haired cat breeds (Cornish, Sphynx), earwax is produced and accumulates at a faster rate than in long-haired counterparts, so they need frequent care.

How often should lop-eared kittens' ears be cleaned? Experts believe that Scottish cats, left-handed cats, and British cats should have their ears cleaned more often than straight-eared ones. The anatomy of their ears is such that they are most susceptible to ear diseases, so they should be checked regularly and, if necessary, cleaned.

How to clean cat ears at home

Veterinarians do not recommend using products prescribed for humans to clean the ears of cats. If you wash your ears with hydrogen peroxide, you can get a chemical burn of the skin, and a soap solution can dry out the skin.

Even accidental penetration of a liquid not intended for a cat into the hearing aid can lead to inflammation and other complications in the pet. It is necessary to consult with a veterinarian and clarify how to properly and how to clean the ears of a cat and buy a special preparation.

Ear mites or otitis - what to do

Ticks

Signs of infection:

animals begin to behave uneasily: they shake their heads, try to scratch their ears with their paws, sometimes scratching until they bleed, rubbing their heads against furniture;
an unpleasant odor comes from the ears, and dark crusts appear;
the owners notice that the cat has become hard of hearing.

If you find one or more of these signs, look into the ears of the kitten, if there are ticks, then you need to get rid of them with the help of medications prescribed by the veterinarian, an effective and affordable cleaning agent among them is Bars.

It is known that this drug stings the skin a little, but in any case, treatment must be started.

How to clean the ears of a cat when a tick is found, you can find out by watching a video, preferably from the website of a veterinary clinic.

So your actions are:

Wrap the cat in a blanket or a large towel, put it on your lap, stroke, calm the animal and gently twist the ear, fix the pet and especially its paws.
With a cotton swab moistened with water or lotion, wipe the surface of the ear inside. Take a cotton swab and walk along the curves of the auricle without leading it into the ear canal.
There will be a dark brown coating and crusts on the cotton swab and sticks - replace them as needed with clean ones.
When the plaque is removed, it is necessary to start cleaning the ears from the tick. To do this, take a cotton swab, dip it in the processing agent ("Bars") and gently wipe the ear canal without pushing the wand too deep. It is necessary to perform the procedure for cleaning the ears every day until the animal is cured, approximately 1-2 weeks.

The drug should be instilled into the auricle every 4 days - not more often. At the same time, make sure that the cat does not shake its head in order to avoid pouring out the medicine.

Otitis media in cats

If you notice that your pet presses his ears, combs them and meows plaintively, and at the same time he has discharge from there, then most likely the reason for this behavior is otitis media (an infectious disease).

You should immediately contact the veterinarian for the appointment of appropriate treatment.

With otitis media, self-medication at home is unacceptable!

Cleaning ears at the veterinary clinic

The list of services provided by veterinary clinics includes a hygienic procedure - ear cleaning.

Veterinarians believe that it is necessary to carry out a professional examination of the animal at least once every two weeks in order to provide timely qualified assistance to the animal in case of detection of any disease and prevent complications.

How much does it cost to clean the ears of a cat in the vet. clinic, depends on the neglect of the case and on the pricing policy of the institutions themselves.

A loving good owner takes care of his pet, regularly monitors his health and, if necessary, always seeks qualified help from a veterinary clinic.

Caring for tailed pets includes not only feeding, hair care and cat litter, but also procedures related to maintaining the health of a common pet. Therefore, the owner should know many things related to care, including how to clean the cat's ears at home. This procedure, performed regularly, will help maintain not only the hygiene of the hearing organs, but will prevent the development of many diseases and preserve the hearing of the pet for many years.

Hearing in a cat is no less important organ, giving her an idea of the world around us than sight. With the help of it, animals orient themselves in space, determine the distance to the noise source and its direction. A well-developed acoustic apparatus helps the cat to recognize ultrasonic vibrations and is indispensable when hunting rodents. Excellent hearing and orientation contribute to survival in a metropolis.

Untimely hygiene of the auricles can cause the development of sulfuric plug. The increased formation of sulfur is a kind of protective reaction of the body to the penetration of dirt and dust, protecting the middle ear.

Increased production of sulfur is characteristic of breeds with large auricles.(savannah, abyssinian and somali cat) , as well as breeds with a minimum coat(sphinxes, peterbald).

Dense old sulfur formations often lead to deafness, and also cause nausea and vomiting due to pressure on the eardrum. Therefore, to preserve hearing for many years, it is important to regularly clean the ears of a cat. This procedure will prevent the development of inflammation, ear mites, and hearing loss.

Materials for the procedure

Hygienic manipulation will require not only a certain skill, but materials and equipment. The following items should be ready:

Cotton swabs or discs. Needed to free the auricle from dust, dirt before direct cleaning.

Cotton buds. In the question of how to clean the ears of a cat, it is better to give preference to ready-made tools. It is not recommended to use homemade devices, winding cotton wool around matches or other thin objects. This can injure your pet's ear. Ideally, sticks for children with a limiter are suitable. They are safe, the risk of injury is minimal.

Ear cleaners. For processing, you can use improvised disinfectants, for example, a 3% solution of boric acid, hydrogen peroxide, a solution of chlorhexidine. It is convenient to treat the pet's ears with special solutions for the care of the auricles, for example, "Bars", "Otoklin", "Rosinka", as well as ear care products from foreign manufacturers, for example, Leo Cat Cleaner, Otifree, Hartz preparations. Specialized products help to more effectively dissolve sulfur deposits and impurities, do not irritate the pet's delicate skin and are hypoallergenic substances. In addition to drops and gels, special wet wipes soaked in disinfectant solutions are available for cleaning the auricles of cats.

For especially intractable pets, in addition to ear tools and tools, you will also need towel. If the animal is not accustomed to the procedure, then it is better to wrap it in a blanket, blanket or towel to avoid injury during the manipulation.

Auxiliaries include a compact flashlight for good lighting and a favorite treat to cheer the cat during the procedure.

Getting used to cleaning gradually

Cleaning the ears of a pet at home is not difficult, provided that the animal is accustomed to it from an early age. The owner of the cat should be patient and, using elements of training, form a neutral attitude towards manipulation in the animal. As a rule, pets, accustomed to cleaning their ears from childhood, do not put up violent resistance.

It will be easier for the cat to get used to the procedure if you take it on your knees daily and examine the auricle with a flashlight. When carrying out the cleaning manipulation itself, it will be already familiar to the pet that attention is being paid to his ears and there will be no obvious aggression on his part.

Anti-scratch pads

Points that the owner should pay attention to in order to properly clean the ears:

Trim your pet's claws in advance put on special anti-scratch pads.

The preparation and conduct of the manipulation itself should take place in a calm and familiar atmosphere for the cat. Do not shout loudly, unnerve the animal.

To perform the procedure, the pet should be placed on its knees, covered with a blanket, blanket or large towel. Give the opportunity to get comfortable in a new place, stroke, caress. Let the animal sniff the materials prepared nearby.

After the cat calms down, you should bend the auricle, wrapping it outward. Remove dust, hairs, surface dirt with a dry cotton pad. At this stage, you can examine the ear with a flashlight, assess the degree of pollution, the localization of sulfur.

A cotton pad moistened with a disinfectant solution removes dirt, earwax, changing the disk as it gets dirty. Do this in a circular motion, moving from the inside out.

When using specialized care products, they can wash the cat's ears. It is convenient to do this from a dispenser or use an eye dropper. After the introduction of the liquid, the ear is massaged at the base to evenly distribute the solution. Such manipulation will help to more effectively dissolve earwax and pollution.

After cleansing with a cotton pad, they proceed to a more thorough treatment of the ear bends with the help of cotton swabs. They are moistened in a disinfectant liquid and the dirt is carefully cleaned, changing the sticks as they get dirty. Wipe your ears until the cotton wool is clean.

At the slightest concern, the pet is stroked, soothed, and at the end of the manipulation they are treated to a treat.

Useful video

To learn how to properly clean the ears of a cat, see this video:

If the animal is not accustomed to the procedure and violently resists, then you should resort to outside help. The pet should be wrapped in a towel, leaving only the head outside. Tight "swaddling" is not worth it in order to avoid aggression, it is enough that the cat does not turn its head. The assistant will hold the obstinate animal, and the owner will carry out the necessary manipulation.

Special treatment for kittens

Small fluffy lumps must patiently endure a variety of hygiene procedures from a young age. You can clean the ears of kittens with the same products intended for adult cats. When carrying out the manipulation, you need to act carefully, without going deep into the ear.

Experienced breeders recommend that kittens wash their ears using specialized care products or saline. For these purposes, it is strictly forbidden to use soaps, liquids based on alcohol and vinegar.

To wash the ears of a kitten, you must first drip 4 - 5 drops, massage, and then drip deeper 5 - 6 drops of a special cleaning solution. At the same time, the kitten shakes its head, which is a normal reaction of the animal. Then you should massage the base of the ears well. Such manipulation will greatly facilitate subsequent cleaning with a cotton pad and sticks. Otherwise, the hygiene procedure for small kittens is no different from that of adult animals.

In order for the pet to be always alert and healthy, it is not enough to take care only of its nutrition. Of great importance in maintaining and maintaining good health are hygienic procedures, in particular, ear cleaning. Accustoming an animal to this manipulation from an early age, knowing the rules for performing the procedure is a guarantee not only of clean ears, but also the prevention of diseases, and the preservation of hearing for many years.