Lori Greer
Cahaba Cats
Someone on an e-mail list asked: "Can anyone give me advice on cleaning an adult cat's ears? How do you do it? What solution do you use? What do I need to look out for?"
Thought I would share my reply below. A touch of humor but this is indeed how we do it...
I like Q-tips dampened with mineral oil or water. I am right handed and getting progressively far sighted, so:
1) Granny glasses on
2) Cat and Q-tips in the bathroom with door closed
3) Q-tips on the right side of the counter with shot glass of water or mineral oil
4) Cat on the bathroom vanity counter (perfect height) next to my left hip
5) Gently or tightly scruff the cat (depending on how unhappy they are) with left hand while keeping it close to my body
6) Use right hand to flip the top of the ear back. They are usually tall enough that they will stay back
7) Moisten Q-tip and gently clean any dirt or wax out.
Don't go too deep or you can damage their ear. If you feel there is deep down dirt or mites, get an ear wash from the vet or pet store.
For ear wash:
I follow all the steps above but also have a towel handy.
1) Instead of cleaning with the Q-tip, you squirt/pour the wash fluid in the ear
2) Quickly massage it around before the cat bolts.
3) Grab towel and cover yourself.
4) The cat will shake it's head and the cleaner flies everywhere. LOL 5) Feline will give you the "stink eye", and do airplane ears for a while, but they get over it.
The next day, after I'm somewhat forgiven for the ear wash, I clean with the Q-tip to remove any residual or loosened dirt.
Happy Ear Cleaning!

Thought I would share my reply below. A touch of humor but this is indeed how we do it...
I like Q-tips dampened with mineral oil or water. I am right handed and getting progressively far sighted, so:
1) Granny glasses on
2) Cat and Q-tips in the bathroom with door closed
3) Q-tips on the right side of the counter with shot glass of water or mineral oil
4) Cat on the bathroom vanity counter (perfect height) next to my left hip
5) Gently or tightly scruff the cat (depending on how unhappy they are) with left hand while keeping it close to my body
6) Use right hand to flip the top of the ear back. They are usually tall enough that they will stay back
7) Moisten Q-tip and gently clean any dirt or wax out.
Don't go too deep or you can damage their ear. If you feel there is deep down dirt or mites, get an ear wash from the vet or pet store.
For ear wash:
I follow all the steps above but also have a towel handy.
1) Instead of cleaning with the Q-tip, you squirt/pour the wash fluid in the ear
2) Quickly massage it around before the cat bolts.
3) Grab towel and cover yourself.
4) The cat will shake it's head and the cleaner flies everywhere. LOL 5) Feline will give you the "stink eye", and do airplane ears for a while, but they get over it.
The next day, after I'm somewhat forgiven for the ear wash, I clean with the Q-tip to remove any residual or loosened dirt.
Happy Ear Cleaning!