Pet Hygiene: 8 Safe Ways to Clean Your Pet's Ears

Pet hygiene is very important for several reasons. It helps prevents illness and infection, keeps your pet healthier, and as hearing is a predominant sense for most animals, gives your pet a better quality of life. Sadly, like humans, most animal's ears create wax which must be removed. This is especially prevalent in dogs and cats. Also, by cleaning your pet's ears regularly, you greatly reduce the risk of your pet contracting an ear infection. Depending on your pet's species, dictates how you will clean their ears. Safety should always be taken into account for this most delicate of tasks.

1 - The Environment

If your pet is a nimble animal such as a cat, ensure the room that you are going to use to perform the ear cleaning, is secure and comfortable for your pet. If your pet has a favorite spot, this could be a good place to do it. A frightened animal, should it find a way out of your home, may run blind, and should you live near a busy street could result in a horrible situation.

2 - Make the Animal Comfortable

Talk to your pet as you clean its ears as they find this reassuring. If you have a nervous or jumpy pet, then wrapping the animal in a towel is a good and safe way to restrain it.

3 - Formulated Ear Cleaning Products

Ear cleaning products are available for most animals, and are animal specific. Ensure you choose the right one for your species of pet. 

4 - Use the Right Equipment

This is very important, especially as with some animals it comes down to variances on a theme. For example, cotton balls are good for cleaning a dog's ears, and yet cotton wool and cotton buds are a bad choice as they can damage a dog's ears. Ensure you get the right equipment. 

5 - Regular Cleaning 

Cleaning is vitally important, and this varies according to species. If you are in doubt as to how often a pet's ears should be cleaned, refer to a care guide for your animal, or speak to a professional such as a vet.

6 - Should your Pet have an Ear Infection 

Ear infections should be treated with caution and always speak to a vet. A scenario may arise whereby cleaning the ears before the infection has been treated could cause damage to your pet's ears. Ensure you follow all the advice given by your vet to the letter.

7 - If your Pet Contracts an Ear Infection after Cleaning

In this eventuality, contact your vet immediately. If you have used an ear cleaning product, take it with you, as this could be a valuable source of information for the vet.

8 - Natural Remedies,

Natural remedies have the same pros and cons for animals as they do for humans, and it is advisable to speak to a vet before using one of these products to clean your pet's ears. Some are better than others, and some are gimmicks.

Look for Specific Infections 

Infections can come from insects and similar sources. If caught early, these can be dealt with, and with less fuss for your pet. Different animals are prone to different types of infection, and it is a good idea to make yourself familiar with what these are. If you have any doubts about the health of your animal, always visit a vet.