Best Products to Clean Your Ears and Your Cat’s

Gently wash the outside of your ears with a damp washcloth while bathing, then dry the outer folds without pushing the cloth into the ear canal. Earwax normally protects the ear and often works its way out on its own, so you don’t need to remove every trace of it.

If wax feels bothersome, an over-the-counter earwax-softening product may help, but ask a healthcare professional before using drops if you have ear pain or drainage, a hole in your eardrum, ear tubes, or a history of ear surgery. Avoid cotton swabs, ear candles, and other objects inside the canal, where they can push wax deeper or cause injury.

When your cat needs an ear cleaning, use a solution labeled for cats and follow your veterinarian’s directions; have cotton balls or gauze ready to wipe away loosened debris from the visible outer ear. Our guide, Purrfectly Clean Ears: A Gentle Guide to Keeping Your Cat’s Ears Healthy – How to Clean Cat Ears Safely, offers a starting point for approaching the task gently.

Keep your cat comfortable, allow them to shake their head after the solution is applied, and wipe only the areas you can see rather than inserting a swab into the ear canal. If the ear is painful, swollen, has a strong odor or discharge, or your cat is shaking their head repeatedly, contact your veterinarian before cleaning.

Our team recommends avoiding rubbing alcohol in ears because it can irritate delicate tissue, and it is not a substitute for a product intended for ear care. Don’t use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide in your cat’s ears unless your veterinarian specifically directs you to do so.

Some human earwax products contain peroxide, but that doesn’t make household hydrogen peroxide the right choice for everyone. If you have symptoms or aren’t sure whether drops are safe for you, a healthcare professional can help you choose an appropriate treatment.

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