I'm putting this on the 'behavior' forum rather than the health one, because this is a potential behaviour challenge. Our dear Cappy has ear polyps that require daily cleaning, anti-biotic drops 3 X a week, and once a week a thorough squirting with some saline cleanser that we got from our vet.
This is ongoing and we'll have to do this for the rest of his life. He also has cat acne under his chin.
Our behaviour challenge? How do we do this day after day after day without making him more and more afraid? Right now, he is OK with the daily cleanings, and we always give a treat afterward, but lately, he makes himself scarce when he sees us getting out the towel, the cotton pads, the warm water and the ear drops.
We are always very gentle with him, and have never raised our voices at him, but when I'm trying to hold him still - even wrapped in a towel - and hubby is trying to clean the ear - I think he can sense our 'tension'.
What do you advise?
Lin
This is ongoing and we'll have to do this for the rest of his life. He also has cat acne under his chin.
Our behaviour challenge? How do we do this day after day after day without making him more and more afraid? Right now, he is OK with the daily cleanings, and we always give a treat afterward, but lately, he makes himself scarce when he sees us getting out the towel, the cotton pads, the warm water and the ear drops.
We are always very gentle with him, and have never raised our voices at him, but when I'm trying to hold him still - even wrapped in a towel - and hubby is trying to clean the ear - I think he can sense our 'tension'.
What do you advise?
Lin
Immediately rewarding with a favorite canned food or catnip or treat that will (eventually) create an association with this treatment positively in his mind is a good start. You might also use that strategy to coax him out of hiding and apply a treat after each ear. But even better would be to keep the the implements visible and handy in your home at all times helps to acclimate Cappy to their presence.
Always use a soothing tone and keep talking in your usual calm manner as reassurance. 
