Cat ear hygiene
Why is it important to clean your cat’s ears?
Cats’ ears are different to human ears: the ear canal is “L” shaped, first descending vertically then forming a right angle towards the skull and ending at the eardrum.
This specific shape can cause ear wax to build up at the bottom of the canal, which cannot be cleared on its own. The build-up of wax, combined with the hot, moist environment of the ear canal, causes maceration and sometimes ear infections.
However, unlike dogs which can have floppy ears and a narrower ear canal (depending on the breed), cats are generally less prone to bacterial or fungal ear infections. Nonetheless, they are more prone to parasitic ear infections. In all cases, if your pet seems to be in discomfort (if they shake their head and scratch their ears) or if their ears are red, seek veterinary advice.
How often should you clean your cat’s ears?
If your pet’s ears do not often get dirty, once or twice a month is sufficient. If your pet often has dirty ears, clean them once a week. However, it is important not to clean them too often, so as to preserve the ear flora. If your pet’s ears are often dirty or if they have a foul odour, or your pet keeps scratching their ears, seek veterinary advice.
How to clean your cat’s ears?
We recommend using FRANCODEX EAR CLEANSING LOTION, which dissolves ear wax while preserving the ear canal. First of all, it is important to avoid any contact between the nozzle and the ear, to prevent bacterial contamination. Slowly administer a few drops of lotion into the pinna, to clean your cat’s ear. Gently massage the base of the ear, to help any impurities emerge, then wipe the inside of the pinna with a cotton pad soaked with lotion.
