How to Clean Your Cat’s Ears With Help From the Cozy Comfort Carrier

Key Takeaways

• Many cats don’t need their ears cleaned. But cats with a lot of wax buildup and those with unique ear shapes can benefit from regular cleaning.
• Check your cat’s ears for signs of infection before cleaning. Your vet will prescribe a cat ear cleanser or medicated drops instead.
• Learning how to clean your cat’s ears at home is possible! You’ll need cotton balls or gauze and an ear cleaning solution.
• Our Cozy Comfort Carrier at Cat-in-the-Bag can help, keeping them secure but comfortable as you clean their ears.

Just as you brush your cat’s teeth and trim their nails, you may need to give your cat’s ears some care, too. Regular ear care can help keep your cat healthy and happy. Many also appreciate the extra pampering from their humans!

Wondering if you can do it at home? The answer is yes! And the good news is that it’s relatively straightforward. The trickiest part is often just keeping your cat calm as you do so; they can be mighty feisty!

But with a little guidance and your Cozy Comfort Carrier, you can make sure everything goes smoothly. Learn more with us at Cat-in-the-Bag!

Should I Clean My Cat’s Ears?

Generally, most cats don’t need regular ear cleanings to keep this delicate area clean. They’re maestros with self-grooming!

However, they may need help from time to time, especially if they have noticeable wax buildup, dirt, or debris inside their ears. Breeds with long hair or those with unique or folded ear shapes, such as Persian cats and American Curl cats, also need more often ear cleanings due to trapped wax or hair blocking their ear canals. Your outdoor kitty will likely need more cleanings, too.

But you should always consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Before You Clean Your Cat’s Ears…

Examine your cat’s ears for any signs of infection. Signs include:

• Discharge
• Redness
• Swelling
• Odor
• Black specks (this may be ear mite debris)

Don’t clean their ears if they show any signs of infection. But if they’re just dirty (without any discomfort), cleaning at home may be an option for you.

What to Use to Clean Your Cat’s Ears (And What Not to)

What to Use

• Cotton Balls or Rounds: Cotton balls are great for cleaning cats’ ears without causing any irritation. You could also use gauze.
• Cat Ear Cleaning Solution: This should be a solution made specifically for cats!
• Treats: Giving your cat a treat is a fantastic way to create a positive association with ear clearing.
• Our Original Cat-in-the-Bag Cozy Comfort Carrier: Many pet parents use a towel to create a “kitty burrito” that prevents their cat from scratching or squirming too much. But you can also use your soft cat carrier from Cat-in-the-Bag! Snag- and scratch-resistant, our cat carriers have a heads-out, gentle-restraint design that keeps your cat secure during their grooming session without sacrificing their comfort. While not every cat will be calm for ear cleaning, we believe most will respond well to our bag. Be patient with your cat and find what works for both of you.

**You can also use cat cleansing wipes to wipe the external part of their ears.

What NOT to Use

• Cotton swabs
• Harsh cleaners like hydrogen peroxide or vinegar
• Home remedies (without vet approval)

These materials are harmful for your cats’ ears and push debris further into their ear canal.

How to Clean Your Cat’s Ears at Home

Have your supplies ready? Here’s the best way to clean cats’ ears with your Cat-in-the-Bag Cozy Comfort Carrier:

Get Your Cat Comfortable 

Find a comfortable and quiet spot to clean your cat’s ears. You want somewhere with minimal distractions for either of you.

Then, put them into their Cozy Comfort Carrier to provide a sense of security.

If you have a human helper, they can hold your cat in their carrier while you clean their ears or vice versa. Otherwise, make sure your cat is in your lap or in front of you, facing away from your body.

Calm Your Cat

Ear cleaning can seem scary for cats! It may help to take a moment to calm them with pets and a soothing voice. Make sure YOU remain calm, too. Cats are good at picking up on our emotions.

Wipe the Entrance of Their Ear

Grab a damp cotton ball or a wipe to wipe the entrance of their ear. This helps to remove any trapped dirt or debris.

Clean Their Ear

Grasp the tip of one of their ear flaps and gently pull it back. Then, apply a few drops of the cleaning solution into their ear canal. Cleaners usually have special tips for easy administration.

DO NOT push the tip into their ear canal. It can push ear wax deeper into their ear. You must also be careful to not let the tip touch your cat’s ear. This can spread bacteria and yeast.

Accidentally touch your cat’s ear? No need to worry! Just wipe the tip of the bottle with an alcohol wipe before starting again.

Massage the Base of Your Cat’s Ear

Gently massage the base of your cat’s ear for a few seconds to help loosen any gunk. It’s okay if some cleaner flows onto your hands!

Then, allow your cat to shake their head. It helps flush the cleaner out, along with any debris that was in their ear!

Wipe Their Ear Again

Take a dry cotton ball or pad to remove any more of the cleaning solution and debris from your cat’s ear. Do not put anything into your cat’s ears, whether it’s cotton swabs or your fingers. If they have any excess solution in the ear, they’ll shake it away once you’re finished.

Repeat with the Other Side

Now it’s time to repeat everything again with your cat’s other ear.

A Little Note From Cat-in-the-Bag: It’s okay to take a break if you or your cat needs one. And if your cat seems too stressed to do the other ear, that’s okay too! Don’t force it. You can come back to clean their other ear the next day or several days later.

Give Your Cat Treats and Praise

Your cat did a great job; make sure they know it! Give them a special treat, shower them with pets, engage them with their favorite toy, or all of the above. This also helps them create positive associations with ear cleaning.

How Often Should I Clean My Cat’s Ears?

Cats don’t need their ears cleaned often. It’s mostly as needed, which is why you should inspect your cat’s ears weekly.

If you see wax buildup or dirt, that’s your sign that it’s time to clean. This may be every few months for some cats or every month. Just make sure not to overclean; it can cause irritation.

Your vet is always your best guide when determining the frequency of ear cleaning.

Get More From Your Cozy Comfort Carrier!

You know how to clean your cat’s ears at home with the Cozy Comfort Carrier. But did you know you can also use it for your other grooming tasks?

Because of its heads-out design, Velcro ports for front paws, and zippered access for their back paws, you can learn how to clean cats’ teeth, how to cut cats’ nails, and even administer medication in their carrier.

Let’s Encourage Healthy Cat Ears

It may take some time to get your cat used to getting their ears cleaned. But with some patience, gentle handling, and maybe a little help from the Cozy Comfort Carrier, you can help them keep their ears clean and healthy.

Keep up with our cat blog at Cat-in-the-Bag for more useful tips and tricks!