Natural Remedy for Cats With Dirty Ears

While some cats simply produce more ear wax than others, dirty ears are often a symptom of ear mite infestations. Ear mites are insects that live in the ear canal, causing irritation and a waxy brown discharge. Commercial medications are available for these infections, but many pet owners prefer to use natural remedies. Not only are natural remedies free of chemicals, they are often less expensive and they are easy to make at home.

  1. Consequences of Dirty Ears

    • Whether your cat's dirty ears are a result of an ear mite infection or not, the cat may be experiencing unpleasant side effects of the condition. When your cat has ear mites -- or if the cat senses the ears are inordinately dirty for a reason other than ear mites -- he will likely scratch the area of the ears and shake his head. Excessive scratching can result in soreness or inflammation and, if your cat's claws are sharp, scratched or broken skin. If your cat's dirty ears are a result of an ear mite infection that is not properly treated, the infection could spread down the ear canal into the inner ear. When this happens, your cat could have trouble balancing and holding its head upright.

    Cleaning the Ears

    • Before you use any natural or commercial remedies on your cat's dirty ears, it is wise to clean the area first. Using an eyedropper, squeeze a few drops of vegetable oil or olive oil into the ear canal. You may need to hold your cat's head still during this treatment, because his natural reaction will be to shake his head to get rid of the oil. Next, massage your cat's ear to distribute the oil and to loosen any impacted dirt or wax. Use cotton balls to wipe the ear clean, removing both the oil and the dirt.

    Yellow Dock Root Extract

    • This home remedy is designed to kill both mature ear mites and their eggs. To make this solution, mix 9 drops of yellow dock root extract with 1 tbsp. of water. To administer the treatment, fill an eyedropper with half of the prepared solution, and squirt it evenly into both of the ears. Massaging the ears after administering the treatment will help to distribute it evenly. For the best results, repeat this treatment every few days over a period of several weeks.

    White Vinegar

    • White vinegar is a common household item that you can use to clean dirty cat ears. To use white vinegar for this purpose, simply mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water, then squirt a few drops of the solution into each ear. Distribute the mixture throughout the ear by massaging the ear gently, holding the cat's head still so he does not shake it. After you have finished the treatment, wipe out the cat's ears with a cotton ball to dry the ears.

    Almond Oil

    • Another popular natural remedy for ear mite infections in cats is almond oil. To make an almond oil treatment, simply mix 1/2-oz. of almond oil with 400 IU's of Vitamin E. You should be able to find both of these products at your local natural food store or online. Fill an eyedropper with the solution and grasp the dropper in your hands to bring the mixture up to body temperature. To administer the treatment, simply squeeze the mixture evenly into both ears, and massage the ears well. When finished, wipe the ears clean with a cotton ball.