2 The ear has 3 major parts: outer ear; middle ear; inner ear; The outer ear consists of the ear flap (also called the pinna) which is usually upright in cats with the exception of specific breeds such as the Scottish fold cat whose ears are folded over. Very important to learn from mum! Her grooming habits are so thorough that she may even clean behind and in the inner flap of her ears. If one animal in a household is diagnosed with mites These bits of dirt if not removed can make Kitty itchy at best and result in a nasty ear infection at worst. References You just have to mix one part white vinegar to one part rubbing alcohol. It's too harsh, and will hurt. Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean your cats ears? Administer the full dosage as indicated by your vet or the instructions that accompany the cleaner. If the cat wont cooperate, you can also try to burrito the cat by wrapping her body (including all limbs) securely in a thick towel. (Basically, they are trying not to get sued.) The first step in getting rid of ear mites in cats is to thoroughly cleanse the ear canal, removing wax and buildup. At home, you can try cleaning out the cats ears with an ear cleaning solution suitable for cats (get this from your vet or local pet care store). That means cleaning her down to the ears where bits of grime could be hiding. Ear mites are highly contagious. However, if your cat has had any ear issues, like ear mites, blood blisters or ear infections, a cleaning is likely necessary. Not only will your cat feel more comfortable with dry ears but dry ears make it hard for infections to develop. Kitty is good at getting the exterior of her ears, but she may need your help to get inside the ears. Apple cider vinegar can work but be sure to dilute it, particularly if Kitty is very young or very sensitive. Not only does this infection cause obvious physical discomfort for your pet, an untreated ear mite infestation can lead to ear inflammation. These products are pH sympathetic to feline skin, and evaporate quickly so the ear canal is not left soaking wet. If you wrap or swaddle your cat in a towel or her favorite blanket, this may aid in keeping her calm even if she does not like the idea of having her ears cleaned. And be sure that you're nice to Kitty! This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary adviser. If your dog has ear mites, she will have a lot more wax and will need to be treated more vigorously. For a homemade ear cleaner you can use in a pinch, see our Veterinary reviewer's suggestion below! Would mineral oil on a cotton swab work for cleaning a cat's ears? Join our mailing list to receive the latest recalls notices, news and other updates from our team. When a cat has mites, you may notice that there are patches of bare skin over his body or near the ears. Doing this can do damage to the ear canal and/or the ear drum or just push the matter further into the canal. Copyright 2021 by FelineLiving.net -Designed by Thrive Themes All mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate. Any underlying cause of pain must be examined as well. Clean dog ears, just like humans! Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my cat's ears? Take out any bits of matter and left behind cleaning solution out of the hearing canal with a clean cloth made of cotton ball or gauze. Grooming is the easiest and least traumatic during moments when your cat is looking for attention or feeling sleepy. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Elsevier, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Clean-Your-Cat%27s-Ears-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Your-Cat%27s-Ears-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Clean-Your-Cat%27s-Ears-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/aid160590-v4-728px-Clean-Your-Cat%27s-Ears-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"