How To Clean Your Pet’s Ears

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Buildup of dust, dirt, ear mites, bacteria and wax in your cat’s or dog’s ears can cause painful ear infections in your pet. Unfortunately, many pet owners avoid the process as cleaning your furbaby’s ears can be a dreaded task for both you and your pet. Fortunately, with time the process will get easier. We recommend following these steps at least twice per month to keep your pet’s ears healthy!

Step One: Preparation

• Select a well-lit, comfortable location. If possible, use a countertop or other waist-high surface so that it’s easier for you to inspect your pet.

• Get your materials ready
  - Soft gauze pads or cotton balls (never use q-tips on your pet’s ears as this can be painful)
  - Special cleanser formulated for your cat or dog’s ears. Note that it’s important to never use soap or shampoo on your pet’s ears – only product that is gentle and specially formulated for the ears.
  - A towel, as this can be used to firmly wrap your dog or cat in order to prevent wriggling.
  - Ear trimming scissors, if needed.

Step Two: Examining Your Pet’s Ears

• Check for irregularities on the outside of your pet’s ears. Make sure that there are no bald spots or matted fur on the surface.

• Gently flip your pet’s ear over to expose ear canal. Note that because animal ear canals are L-shaped, you will not be able to see all the way in as you can with humans.

• Inspect your pet’s ear canal. It should be relatively clear with minimal wax, light pink in color with no discharge, odor, or redness.

• If you notice abnormalities with your cat or dog’s ears, do not proceed – rather, take your pet to his veterinarian for a check-up.

Step Three: Grooming Your Pet’s Ears

• Apply a small amount of ear cleaner to a soft gauze pad or a cotton ball. We recommend Pure Love Ear Cleaning Solution as it’s gentle and comes in pleasing scents such as cucumber and sweet pea and vanilla.

• Gently wipe the cleanser with minimal pressure around the outside of the ear canal, working gently to loosen dirt and debris.

• It’s very important to remember to never probe inside your pet’s ear canal, as this can cause permanent damage.

• If your pet needs a little trim around his ears, use scissors made especially for pets such as Four Paws Ear Trimming Scissors to lightly trim excess fur, being careful not to get too close to his skin.

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Ready to clean your pet’s ears? We have a wide range of ear care products for both cats and dogs, including cleansers and treatment for ear mites. Use code “FBFANS” at checkout on PetFlow.com to receive free shipping on orders over $49!

Do you clean your pet’s ears at home or do you take him to a professional? Let us know in the comments below!