How to Clean a Cat's Ears

It is important to keep your cat free of ear infections and ear mites. Follow these steps to clean your feline's ears without damaging an eardrum or lacerating the ear canal.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat ear cleansing solution
  • Cotton balls
  • Cotton tip applicator
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Get an ear cleaning solution from your vet, specifically geared for cats. The cleaner removes excess moisture, debris, dirt and wax from your cat's outer ear canal.

    • 2

      Restrain the cat to make cleaning easier and safer for both your cat and you. Wrap your cat in a towel, covering its paws to avoid scratching.

    • 3

      Squeeze a small amount of the ear cleaning solution into your cat's ear canal.

    • 4

      Rub gently the base of your cat's ear to work in the cleansing solution.

    • 5

      Repeat with other ear. Your cat usually will shake its head to remove excess solution from its ears, perhaps loosening up any buildup of lodged wax, dirt and debris.

    • 6

      Use a cotton ball or swab to gently rub the dirt, debris and ear wax out of both ear lobes.

    • 7

      Use a small cotton tip applicator to clean any debris lodged in the cartilage of the ear.