Can Cleaning Cat Ears with Cotton Swabs Worsen Infectio

When a cat's ears accumulate a significant amount of dirt, it's often a sign of an underlying condition. Therefore, simply using cotton swabs to deeply clean the ears is a temporary fix at best, and can often make the situation worse.

Moreover, accidents caused by improper use of cotton swabs in the ears are quite common! These can include injuries to the ear canal lining, puncturing the eardrum, or even the cotton swab head falling or breaking off inside the ear canal, requiring surgery to remove. So, it's time to put those cotton swabs away!

Proper care for a cat's ears is essential, and this involves daily cleaning, regular checks, and the use of deworming medications. Here's a guide for pet owners to follow.

1. Regular ear cleaning helps maintain a clean ear canal and prevents infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and ear mites. However, cleaning the ear canal is a skill that requires practice. When cleaning your cat's ears, start by gently dropping a few drops of ear cleaning solution into the ear canal. Then, gently hold the ear tip and massage the base of the ear to encourage the cat to shake out the solution. Never use a cotton swab to probe deeply into the ear canal. If you're unsure about your technique, it's best to take your cat to a professional veterinarian for a proper cleaning.

2. While regular cleaning is important, it's not enough to ensure longterm ear health. Pet owners should also remember to check their cat's ears frequently. Look for signs of redness, swelling, excessive oiliness, unpleasant odors, or blackish waxlike (chocolatecolored) discharge, which could indicate an ear mite infection. If any of these symptoms are present, it's advisable to take your cat to the vet for a thorough examination.

3. In addition to regular cleaning and checks, it's recommended to deworm your cat regularly to prevent external parasites like ear mites. There are many deworming medications available on the market that can treat ear mites, so it's crucial to choose a reputable and guaranteed product. If you're concerned about purchasing online, it's safer to buy deworming medications from a reputable veterinary clinic.

Tip: Want to learn how to clean the dirt from your cat's ears? Click here to read more about the proper way to care for your cat's ears.