Hydrogen Peroxide for Feline Ear Wax

If you notice your cat constantly scratching at its ears, see a discolored discharge from the ears, or smell a foul odor when you inspect the ears, your cat may suffer from an ear infection. To properly treat the ears with medicated ear drops, you first need to clear the ears of excess wax and debris by using an ear wash containing an antibacterial ingredient like hydrogen peroxide.

  1. Ear Problems

    • Ear mites, small eight-legged parasites, account for 50 percent of all feline ear infections, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Signs of a mite infestation include an increase in the amount of ear wax the cat produces that appears black or brown. The ears may also become obstructed with coffee-ground-like secretions from the ears. Other types of debris caught in the ears or ear infections that cause bleeding can lead to deafness if not treated quickly. Your veterinarian will recommend treatment with prescription ear drops after thoroughly cleaning the ears. One such cleaner you can use is hydrogen peroxide.

    Outer Ear Cleaning

    • Inspect the outer flaps of the ears for scabbing, redness or waxy discharge. Mix hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of room-temperature water in a glass. Soak a cotton ball in the peroxide and squeeze it out slightly. Place the cat on your lap and restrain it with one arm. Pull the ear flap back. Gently wipe the outer part of each ear with the solution. Use a separate cotton ball for each ear so you do not accidentally spread an infection from one ear to the other. This will remove any dirt and excess wax from the outer part of the ear.

    Inner Ear Cleaning

    • To loosen excess ear wax in a cat's ear canals, you can clean them with the hydrogen peroxide and water mixture, according to the Vet Info website. Absorb the solution into an ear-cleaning bulb. Place the solution into the ear canal and squeeze five to 10 drops of it into the ear with the tip of the bulb. Massage the base of the ear for 15 to 20 seconds to loosen the wax. Wipe the outside of the ear with a dry cotton ball to clean away the loosened wax. Repeat this ear cleaning process for very dirty ears.

    Warnings

    • While you can use hydrogen peroxide diluted with an equal amount of water to help remove excess wax from your cat's ears, do not use it routinely. The solution, if you use it daily, can cause further irritation to lesions in infected ears and lead to an increase in discomfort, according to the Banfield Pet Hospital website. Never place a cotton swab into your cat's ears further than you can see, to clean out its ear wax, as this can actually force the wax further into the ear, causing a blockage. It can also damage the ear drum and result in hearing loss.