Cleaning cats’ ears is a necessary hygiene procedure. The skin of the inner ear surface produces sebum and moisture along with metabolic waste. Additionally, dust particles constantly enter the outer part of the ear canal. To remove all these unwanted substances, the skin of the ear flap contains specific glandular formations that produce earwax. The earwax prevents accumulated dirt from penetrating deeper into the ear. However, excessive production of earwax and its accumulation can be harmful to animals. Therefore, all cats require preventive hygiene measures.
General Ear Care Rules for Cats
To ensure proper care for your pet’s ears, regular inspections of the ear flaps are essential. The method is quite simple: gently pull back and turn the ear flap to inspect its inner surface. The animal should not experience pain, but your movements should be careful. The inner surface of the ear flap should be clean, without dark spots, crusts, lumps, or various secretions.
Naturally, not all animals will sit still during the examination. It’s best if your pet has been accustomed to this procedure from an early age; this way, they won’t be afraid, scratch, or try to escape. If it’s difficult to hold the cat, you can try wrapping it in a towel during the examination. This will protect both you and the animal from potential injuries.
What should you do if you constantly find large accumulations of earwax during inspections? Or if its color suddenly changes? These signs may indicate the early stages of a specific ear disease, so it’s crucial to consult a specialist.
How Often to Clean Ears
The question of how often to clean ears is a matter of debate. Some experts believe these hygiene procedures should be done weekly, while others say once a month is sufficient. In reality, the frequency of cleaning depends on various factors, such as the breed of the cat, health status, activity level, and age.
Active pets that spend a lot of time outdoors require more frequent hygiene procedures compared to indoor animals that prefer to stay in the house.
Certain breeds, like Sphynx cats, produce more earwax compared to other breeds. This occurs because fur protects the outer part of the ear canal from dirt, whereas short-haired or “hairless” cats allow dirt to enter the ears freely, leading to increased earwax production for protection.
Thus, pet owners must determine the frequency of ear cleaning themselves, as it is very individual and depends on the specific pet’s habits and needs.
Materials Needed for Ear Cleaning
- Hygiene cotton swabs, cotton pads, and clean dry wipes.
- Special cleaning products – gels or lotions, which can be purchased at almost any pet store. Remember that there are preventive ear cleaning products and various therapeutic drops. These should only be used by professionals in the case of ear diseases; do not use them without a veterinarian’s recommendation.
- Hygiene powder for cats, used only when there are excessive secretions, indicating the animal may be suffering from an ear disease. It should not be used for preventive cleaning.
Proper Ear Cleaning Technique
If your cat is adamantly refusing the ear cleaning procedure and trying to escape, it’s best to secure the animal in a towel beforehand.
Next, gently turn the ear flap inside out. Moisten a cotton pad with the special cleaning solution and wipe the visible part of the inner ear flap. Then, using a clean cotton pad or wipe, remove any remaining wax and cleaning solution from the surface of the ear. All movements should be directed outward, not inward, to avoid damaging the deeper parts of the ear and introducing infection. To clean deeper areas, use hygiene cotton swabs.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Cats’ Ears
A crucial point during the procedure is that you should only clean the visible part of the ear flap. Attempting to go deeper could harm the animal.
It is inadvisable to use homemade remedies or various folk solutions, as they can harm the cat, potentially leading to drying of the ear’s inner skin or causing allergic reactions.
Do not attempt to clean your pet’s ears at home if you find pus, crusts, lumps, or dark spots during inspection. In this case, you must consult a specialist, as the cat may have a specific ear disease requiring professional veterinary assistance.
Some owners strive for absolute cleanliness during the hygiene procedure, but this is not entirely correct. As mentioned earlier, earwax has protective properties, and a moderate amount is necessary.
Avoid using homemade tools instead of hygiene cotton swabs, as this can be dangerous and may lead to traumatic ear injuries or infection.
If you regularly perform preventive ear cleaning for your pet but it doesn’t yield the desired results, such as constant accumulation of wax and dirt or discovering pus on a wipe or cotton pad, it’s essential to seek a specialist’s help.
In conclusion, cleaning a cat’s ears is not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance. It is crucial to be aware of certain nuances and rules. However, after reading this article, you now understand the general guidelines and subtleties of ear care for cats. By following these simple instructions, you can properly maintain your pet’s ear hygiene.