Unfortunately, the owners of many animals do not know how to properly care for them. They believe that the cat should be full, healthy and accustomed to the toilet. The rest is the inventions of veterinarians and a waste of time. After all, cats somehow live on the street and no one mows them, does not scratch or bathe them. This is actually a fallacy. After all, most breeds are man-made artificially. As a result, such animals are often sick and less independent. Longhair cats should certainly be combed out, because they themselves can not cope with this process. Other breeds need periodic bathing, clipping, etc. Therefore, the correct answer to the question “should cats clean their ears” will be in the affirmative. But how often to do this depends on the breed, state of health, conditions of detention and nature of a particular animal.
How to determine the frequency of the procedure?
A healthy cat will gladly substitute its ears for its owner. After all, she loves so much that she was stroked, scratched and caressed. Such a moment of tenderness is an excellent occasion to look into the auricle for contamination or any deviations (rash, scabs, insects). If nothing suspicious is found there and the animal does not itch, does not dodge, then the ears are most likely clean.
The preventive procedure can be carried out after each bathing of the animal or 1-2 times a month. Animals of some breeds (for example, Don Sphynx), due to their anatomical features, require a more frequent repetition of the procedure. An attentive owner will definitely notice that the ears are contaminated, especially if the coat does not interfere with the examination.
The main thing is peace
Before cleaning the ears of a cat, you need to make sure that it is comfortable. The main mistake of many owners is that they turn this hygienic procedure into a whole ritual. When an animal sees a person approaching, armed with cotton swabs, tubes and bubbles of liquid, naturally, it experiences stress and begins to hide.
In order to prevent such a reaction, you need to prepare all the necessary accessories in advance, and before you clean the ears of the cat, quietly get them. For example, if a pet likes to jump to his knees when the owner is sitting in a particular chair, on a sofa or chair, you can simply put them next to them on a table or stool.
When the cat comes to flatter, it needs to be stroked, scratched behind the ears, and then gradually go directly to the procedure. Most likely, the animal simply will not understand what is happening and will not resist.
Can cats clean their ears in a dream?
In principle, it all depends on the nature of the animal. Quite often there are cats that for 10-15 minutes (and sometimes longer) after waking up behave just like soft toys. They no longer seem to sleep, but they agree to everything (including ear cleaning, clipping, and other procedures). If the owner knows about a similar character trait of his pet, you should definitely use it. Just need to avoid sudden movements. Before cleaning the ears of a cat (including a sleeping one), it needs to be gently stroked, and then slowly proceed to the procedure, trying not to injure the animal and not cause discomfort with its actions.
Is it worth doing at home?
In principle, in any veterinary clinic they will tell and show how to properly clean the ears of cats. Here they can do this procedure as necessary. But, like any manipulation, it will be paid. In addition, the animal will have to be transported, wasting time, perhaps sitting in line. Therefore, it is better to watch a master class from a veterinarian once, and then cope with cleaning your ears on your own.
What devices to use?
As a rule, ear buds and hydrogen peroxide are sufficient for the successful implementation of this procedure. In this case, it is desirable to warm the liquid up to room temperature in the microwave so that the cat does not feel the cold. If the animal has rather large auricles, you can use cotton pads or wrap the finger with a bandage.
Cotton wool should be wetted with hydrogen peroxide and wipe the places of contamination with it. This must be done carefully and gently. Do not go too deep so as not to damage your hearing. If the animal allows, the ears can be bent back to make it more convenient to manipulate. In case of anxiety and alertness of a cat, it is better to leave them in their usual position.
After one ear is washed, you need to treat your pet some yummy and take a short break, and only then proceed to the second. Instead of hydrogen peroxide, petroleum jelly is sometimes used, and in a veterinary pharmacy you can buy a special solution.
Among the common breeds there are animals whose ears create a lot of trouble for the owners. For example, British fold cats. Anatomically, they are most susceptible to various diseases associated with inflammatory processes, parasites and other hearing problems. Therefore, before cleaning the ears of a fold cat (and you must do this regularly and regularly), you must definitely ask for advice from an experienced specialist. The principle of basic manipulation is not particularly different from other breeds, but there are certain problems. Firstly, since their sink is closed, it is not so easy to inspect it. Secondly, due to the small size and anatomical features, it is much more difficult to act delicately.
Symptoms in which you need to contact a specialist
In order for the cat’s ears to be not only clean, but also healthy, it is imperative to consult a veterinarian for any abnormalities. If the animal constantly itches, twists its head, leans on one side - this is an occasion for a professional examination. Before cleaning your cat’s ears, you need to examine them as thoroughly as possible. If they began to get dirty too quickly, turned red, a rash or other formations appeared in them, all this should alert the owner and become an occasion for going to the veterinarian.