How to apply ear drops and clean your cat's ears, by iCatCare on YouTube. 1 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Ask your vet to check the ear first. Never use drops left over from another pet or an old bottle, since some ear medicines damage the eardrum.
Warm the bottle by rolling it between your hands for a minute. Cold drops make many cats jump and shake their head.
Wrap your cat in a towel with just the head out, or ask a helper to hold the body gently. Keep the mood calm.
Lift the ear flap and look at the skin. Only wipe the parts you can see, using a cotton pad dampened with the cleaning solution your vet gave you.
Hold the ear flap upright with one hand and rest the bottle in your other hand. Brace your hand against the cat's head so a sudden movement cannot push the tip too deep.
Squeeze the number of drops your vet prescribed into the ear canal, not onto the flap.
Massage the base of the ear gently for a few seconds. You should hear a soft squelching sound.
Let go and allow your cat to shake its head. Then wipe away the loosened wax and excess drops from the flap and the outer ear with a clean pad.
Give a treat and repeat on the other ear with a fresh pad if your vet has prescribed drops for both.
Tips and common mistakes
Never push a cotton bud or your finger into the ear canal, as this packs wax down and can damage the eardrum.
Clean ears only when your vet advises it, because healthy cat ears usually keep themselves clean.
Stop and call your vet if the ear looks very red, smells bad, bleeds or your cat cries out in pain.
Wash your hands afterwards and store the drops as the label says, since many need to stay cool or out of sunlight.
Questions
How often should I clean my cat's ears?
Only as often as your vet recommends. Many cats need no routine cleaning at all, while others may need it once a week during treatment.
Can I use olive oil or baby oil in my cat's ears?
No. Only use products your vet has supplied or approved, because home oils can trap dirt and irritate the ear canal.
What if my cat fights me?
Use a towel wrap, work on a non-slip surface and stay calm. Ask your vet or nurse to show you a two-person hold if your cat keeps struggling.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
