Cleaning a kitten’s ears is one of the first grooming tasks a new owner wants to learn. There’s a lot of conflicting information about it online. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together this guide on when and how to clean your cat’s ears safely, and when it’s better to leave them alone.
Do Cats Need Their Ears Cleaned?
Usually, no. Through evolution, cats have become able to take care of their own hygiene. A healthy cat’s ears clean themselves: the ear canal naturally moves wax and debris outward, and the cat removes the rest while grooming. The ear also has its own natural balance of microorganisms. Cleaning too often can upset that balance, irritate the delicate skin and lead to inflammation.
A healthy cat’s ear looks pale pink and clean, perhaps with a small amount of light-colored wax. It may feel slightly moist. That’s normal, and it doesn’t need cleaning.
Some cats do need regular ear care:
- Hairless breeds, such as the Sphynx and Peterbald, build up wax faster, because they have no protective hairs in their ears.
- Cats with folded or curled ears, such as the Scottish Fold and American Curl, may have ear canals that don’t ventilate as well.
- Older cats and cats with health problems may produce more wax or have trouble grooming.
- Cats with a history of ear problems, on your vet’s advice.
For other cats, check their ears once a week or so and clean only the visible outer part if it’s dirty.
When Cleaning Won’t Help: Signs of an Ear Problem
Ear discharge can increase with several health problems. If your cat shakes its head, scratches or rubs its ears, holds its ears flat, has red, swollen or smelly ears, has dark or pus-like discharge, tilts its head or seems off-balance, take it to the vet. Don’t try to clean infected or painful ears yourself: you could make the problem worse or push debris deeper. Your vet needs to see the ear before it’s cleaned to make a diagnosis.
Ear mites
Ear mites are tiny parasites, especially common in kittens and cats from shelters. The signs are fairly easy to spot: dark brown, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds in the ears, and intense scratching. If you suspect ear mites, see your vet. They’ll examine a sample under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. Ear mites are very contagious between cats, dogs and ferrets, so all pets in the household usually need treatment. Modern spot-on parasite treatments from your vet usually clear them up quickly. Ear mites are not a significant risk to people.
Ear infections and allergies
Ear infections (otitis) in cats are often linked to allergies (to food or the environment), ear mites, polyps or foreign objects such as grass seeds. An itchy cat may scratch the inside and outside of its ears until they bleed, which can lead to bacterial or yeast infections. These need treatment with prescription ear drops or other medication. Left untreated, an infection can spread to the middle and inner ear and cause serious problems, including loss of balance and hearing.
How to Clean Your Cat’s Ears
What You’ll Need
To clean your cat’s ears yourself, you’ll need:
- an ear cleaner made for cats (or for cats and dogs);
- cotton balls, cotton pads or soft gauze;
- unscented, alcohol-free pet wipes (optional, for the outer ear);
- a towel to wrap your cat in, if needed;
- treats.
If your cat stays calm during ear cleaning, you won’t need the towel.
Avoid cotton swabs (Q-tips) inside the ear. A cat’s ear canal is L-shaped, and a swab can push wax deeper or damage the eardrum. If you use one at all, only use it to clean the folds of the outer ear that you can see.
It’s easier to clean your cat’s ears with two people: one holds the cat in a comfortable position while the other does the cleaning. If your cat is nervous or struggles, wrap it snugly in a towel so it can’t free its front paws (a “kitty burrito”). Hold your cat like a bird: firmly but gently. If your cat tries to bite or you’re not confident you can handle it, ask your vet or vet nurse to show you how, or to do it for you.
Choosing an Ear Cleaner
Always use an ear cleaner designed for pets. Read the label carefully: it should be an ear cleaner, not medicated ear drops. Don’t put medicated or anti-inflammatory drops in your cat’s ears unless your vet has prescribed them. Many cleaners are labeled for both cats and dogs, but check that the label says it’s safe for cats.
Popular vet-recommended ear cleaners include Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced, Douxo S3 Micellar Solution and Vetoquinol Vet Solutions ear cleaner. They cost about $10–20 / £8–15 a bottle. Ask your vet which one suits your cat.
Don’t put these in your cat’s ears:
- rubbing alcohol or cleaners that contain alcohol (they sting and dry the skin);
- hydrogen peroxide;
- vinegar;
- oils, including olive oil and essential oils;
- any other home remedies or irritating liquids.
Cleaning the Outer Ear: Step by Step
- Step 1: Sit your cat on a stable surface, such as a table or the floor, or hold it on your lap wrapped in a towel.
- Step 2: Moisten a cotton ball or pad with ear cleaner.
- Step 3: Gently fold back the ear flap and wipe the visible inside surface of the ear, removing any wax and dirt. Don’t push into the ear canal.
Repeat with the other ear, using a fresh cotton ball.
Don’t wipe the ear with a dry cotton ball, which can scratch the delicate skin.
Deeper Cleaning (Only If Your Vet Recommends It)
If your vet has recommended a deeper clean, for example for a Sphynx or a cat recovering from an ear infection, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Hold your cat in a comfortable position.
- Step 2: Gently lift the ear flap and fill the ear canal with ear cleaner, as directed on the label. Don’t touch the tip of the bottle to the ear.
- Step 3: Massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound. This helps spread the cleaner and loosen the wax.
- Step 4: Let go of your cat, and let it shake its head. (Stand back!)
- Step 5: Gently wipe away the loosened wax and cleaner from the outer ear with a cotton ball or pad.
- Step 6: Give your cat a treat and lots of praise.
Repeat with the other ear.
How Often Should You Clean Your Cat’s Ears?
Most cats with healthy ears never need their ears cleaned, or only occasionally when the outer ear looks dirty. Hairless breeds and cats with ear problems may need cleaning every week or two, as your vet recommends. Cleaning more often than necessary can cause irritation. Check your cat’s ears regularly instead, and see your vet if anything looks or smells unusual.
We hope this article has answered your questions about cleaning your cat’s ears.
