Anyone who has taken notice of the interior of a cat’s ears know they’re considerably different than the ears of a human, and they have many nooks and crannies that catch dirt, excess earwax, and other debris. Not all cats do a good job of cleaning their ears, and sometimes it’s necessary to give them a little assistance. Besides excessively dirty ears, cats can also end up with ear mites, and if ear mites are suspected it’s best to take your cat to the veterinarian for prescription ear drops.
The following information will help you determine if your cats ears are dirty or if your feline has a case of ear mites. It could be that your four-legged family member is just a little lax with cleaning the wax, or it could be something more. I had a cat that seemed to always have dirty looking brown debris in her ears, but she didn’t have ear mites. Just like some people, my cat had an excessive amount of ear wax, and although the excess wax really wasn’t causing a problem, I preferred her ears to be clean, and I’m sure she appreciated the help.
Symptoms of Ear Mites
In the past I’ve adopted stray cats, sought veterinary care, and found the cats warm and loving homes. All of the cats I adopted as strays had ear mites, and they displayed very clear symptoms. Besides their ears looking dirty inside, they scratched their ears often and shook their heads occasionally as if trying to shake something loose.
When ear mites are suspected it’s best to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to prevent infection and hearing loss. The vet will prescribe ear drops, and they really aren’t very expensive. The cost of the ear drops is a small price to pay to get rid of the ear mites and give the cat relief it needs.
When applying ear drops, you’ll probably need a second set of hands. It’s not impossible to apply ear drops on your own, but cats usually don’t cooperate. Be sure to gently massage the ears after applying the drops to make sure the medication gets down into the ear canals, and be prepared to step back when finished. The cat will most certainly shake its head, and some of the liquid will be shaken out of the ears.
How to Safely Clean Your Cat’s Ears
Never use cotton swabs to clean your cat’s ears. Veterinarians use long cotton swabs, but the average person shouldn’t attempt this. Just like babies, cats don’t remain still while having their ears cleaned, and this could pose a serious hazard. Instead of using cotton swabs to clean the ears, use large cotton balls to wipe out the visible debris. Moisten the cotton balls with warm water, and gently wipe it away. If necessary, a solution of baby wash or baby shampoo and water can be used to clean them. Be sure to use clean cotton balls and clear water to rinse if necessary.
