Cleaning cat's ears

My Tiny's ears are looking a little gooky. It's not the black-speck kind of gook that comes with mites (I know what that looks like because Baby had a lot of them); it's just a lot of ear wax.

Wondering whether it's safe to clean them a little, and what to use if I decide to do so.

He's not scratching his ears or shaking his head, so it's safe to say they don't itch--so maybe leave well enough alone?

If you are not skilled with holding the cat still and holding the head still, you can use cotton balls (lightly moistened) to wipe the inside of the ears.

I use q-tips for my cats ears but I hold their heads tight so they can't move and shake their heads unexpectently.

I clean gunk weekly due to my cats breed and use Q-tips. It also helps to wrap them in a towel.

Oh, I'll definitely towel-burrito him if I try it. I'm not gonna use Q-tips the first time; I'm not that sure he'll hold still. Soo... damp cotton balls. OK.

When I do them, they are held on my lap and I just hold their head still - they don't move around. Just mouth off complaining a bit

Practice holding their head still for a few seconds when you have them in your lap petting them

I use cotton balls with a little mineral oil squirted on. This does a wonderful job of cutting the ear wax and cleaning it out. My vet told me that tip. I also use Q-tips to get into the little nooks and crannies if I have to, but don't do that unless your cat will hold perfectly still for you and you know where the ear drum is so you can stay away from it. If you poke a Q-tip in the wrong place you could injure your cat's ears. To tell you the truth, since I've been cleaning ears with the cotton ball and mineral oil, I don't think I've hardly ever had to use a Q-tip.

Oh, and having multiple cats helps -- if they groom each other their ears rarely get to the point where they need to be cleaned anyway.

Now, that'd be something remarkable, if Baby could get over her "OMG he's going to kill me!" attitude and go groom Tiny's ears...! I'd submit it as a world record!

I'd go with mineral oil (eg. Baby Johnson unscented) and a cotton ball If this is your first time cleaning ears, over soak the cotton ball with oil and sqeeze a few drops in each ear canal - let the cat shake their head first. Leave for a few minutes before cleaning. This will help clear any gunk from the bottom of the ear so at least you get most of it out in the first go Wipe ears gently with the wet cotton ball, and then with a dry cotton ball.

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by coaster

Oh, and having multiple cats helps -- if they groom each other their ears rarely get to the point where they need to be cleaned anyway.

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Sho's ears are definitely cleaner since I got Tomas.

Depending on how I feel and where the cat is - if one has followed me into the bathroom and is sitting on the sink, I'll sometimes just do a quick wipe with a damp washcloth. I do use Q-tips for more detailed cleaning.
If you've never done that before just stick to the very outer folds of the ear and if your cat shakes be ready to let the Q-tip go, so it will fly/fall out.
Oddly, I find that every cat I've ever cleaned the ears of gets less offended if I let them sniff the Q-tip after I've used it in their ear. Maybe they don't mind as much if they know (smell) why I'm cleaning their ears?

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Oddly, I find that every cat I've ever cleaned the ears of gets less offended if I let them sniff the Q-tip after I've used it in their ear. Maybe they don't mind as much if they know (smell) why I'm cleaning their ears?

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You know about a cat's curiosity, right?

Actually, what you're doing is good advice for anything to do with cats. Let them see and smell whatever it is first before you force it on them: collar, brush, clippers, q-tip, etc. For example: Mellie doesn't like having her nails clipped. But she's more cooperative if I first show her the clippers, let her smell it, and then I even rub it on her face to get her smell on it, then I rub it on her paws for the same reason and also to let her feel it before I actually start clipping.

Originally Posted by coaster

Actually, what you're doing is good advice for anything to do with cats. Let them see and smell whatever it is first before you force it on them

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Well, I don't let them sniff the Q-tip before I use it, they'll try to rub their mouth and teeth on it. Then it would be dirty.

But I do agree. Cats are more comfortable when they recognize the objects coming at them... this doesn't mean they enjoy ear cleaning or getting their teeth brushed though.

Well, his ears are clean. I used baby oil, tissues, and Q-tips... he was wrapped in my coat the whole time.

I have never heard so much feline complaint in my whole life!!

He's getting some chicken with his dinner tonight... hope he forgives me!