Best Cat Ear Care in 2022

Last update: November 24, 2022

Can I use baby wipes to clean my cat's ears?

Most cat parents don't think twice about using baby wipes to clean their kitty's ears. However, is this really the best thing for your cat? While baby wipes are safe for humans, they are not necessarily safe for cats. The wipes may contain chemicals that are harmful to your cat if they are ingested. Additionally, the wipes could cause irritation if they get into your cat's eyes or if they are used too roughly. If you decide to use baby wipes to clean your cat's ears, be sure to only use them on the outside of the ear and to

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my cat's ears?

Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your cat's ears. Just be sure to use a diluted solution and to not get any of the liquid in your cat's eyes.

Can I use olive oil to clean my cat's ears?

No, you should not use olive oil to clean your cat's ears. There are a number of reasons why this is not a good idea. First, olive oil can actually cause an ear infection. Second, it can irritate your cat's skin. Third, it can make it difficult for your cat to hear. Finally, olive oil can attract dirt and dust, which can clog your cat's ears.

Can you flush a cats ear with water?

Yes, you can flush a cat's ear with water. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be present in the ear. Be sure to use a gentle stream of water and avoid getting water in the cat's eyes or nose.


ZYMOX Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone Review:


My darling Sophie, who is now two years old, has had persistent yeast infections in her ears since we first brought her home as a puppy. These infections later migrated to her paws (due to the itching). We have tried EVERYTHING, including novel foods, drugs (drops, injections, and pills), and cleaning solutions. And they were all successful for a few days to a few weeks before she began to fall apart again. I thought I was the worst dog owner ever!I finally searched "dog ear yeast infection" on Amazon out of desperation, and lo and behold, Zymox comes up! Right now, I'm a little bit of a review nut... I read through them all, and to be really honest, I almost didn't test Zymox because of my skepticism over the overwhelming number of favorable reviews (I know, it's ridiculous), especially given that this seems to contradict what our veterinarian was telling us. Are you serious when you say not to pre-wash the ear in the Zymox instructions? How can a dirty ear benefit my poor puppy? In my desperation, though, I determined that a few more "wasted" bucks (and a reduction in the amount of fighting over ear cleaning) wouldn't hurt and that we had exhausted all other options.I'M SO HAPPY I TRADED IN ZYMOX! The first few days we really didn't notice anything, but I wasn't ready to give up hope, so I followed the instructions and medicated her ear every day for two weeks. She stopped itching frequently after around day 4, and the inside of her ears stopped being really red. I had never seen her this enthusiastic for ear drops, but after day 7, her ears were a healthy pink color, and she was physically racing over to have the Zymox put into her ears. That told me right then that it must be working!By day 14, her ears were a healthy pink color, they no longer smelled like "dead fish" (a smell caused by the yeast infections, which I never thought would go away), and she had stopped chewing and licking her paws unceasingly, which was caused by the yeast infection spreading to them from itching her ears.Since I started using this product more than a year ago, I have only needed to use it once a month (or less) and for a short period of time at a time. I use it when I feel her ears beginning to turn somewhat red, and I only use it until they return to normal. The product is so great that she now recognizes the bottle and still runs over to have her "drops" put in. I cannot express how much I love it. Give this a try if your pet has been dealing with yeast infections; chances are good that it will help you as well.



ZYMOX Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone Review:


Inconsistent ear issues have plagued my 9-year-old cat her entire life. She was constantly shaking her head, earwaxing excessively, and itching. The vet would offer me new ear drops to test every year, but the issue would never be resolved. My cat was sedated by my veterinarian in December 2016 while her ears were cleaned. She told me that given the amount of wax buildup on my cat, she was astonished that she could even hear anything, but that it didn't appear that she had ear mites. She never really provided me with a remedy other than drops that didn't appear to work when I asked her what I could do to keep them clean. I decided to conduct some research after seeing the ear wax was returning in January, a month later. I found these drops and made the decision to purchase them. My cat didn't seem to mind these at all and actually allowed me to put them in her ears after I followed the directions carefully. While using them, I saw a significant difference, as the ear wax started to gradually go away. In July, I checked my cat's ears and found that there was NO WAX! NONE! This is incredible stuff. My cat's treatment for mites and other issues was apparently making her ears worse while she actually had a yeast infection all along. She is now wax-free at last!



ZYMOX Plus OTIC-HC 1.25 fl. oz Hydrocortisone 1.0% Dog Cat Ear Otitis Treatment Review:


Works better than any other ear remedy I've tried, although the bottle is only meant to be used for a week if the directions on the packaging are followed. declared to be secure for extended use. It's great since after a week of use, ears return to their original condition. Use for two weeks straight to keep ear issues at bay longer; one bottle is required for each week of treatment. It is ineffective to try to extend the amount used so that a bottle lasts longer than one week to clear ears. Use exactly as directed for two weeks straight, then once a week to maintain your ears free. A two pack is available on Amazon.When he sees me approaching with a bottle of this solution, my dog sits and wags his tail. He has discovered that it doesn't sting or have a strong odor like many other ear products, and that it actually does make his ears feel better.



BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment - Treats Ear Mites, Yeast & Fungal Infections - Cleans & Flushes Away Sticky & Smelly Infected Ears - Broad Spectrum Veterinary Formula Review:


Bexley Labs deserves praise for creating a fantastic product that delivered on its promises. For the past two years, Max, my cocker spaniel, has experienced ear issues. He had his ears cleaned by two different veterinarians, who also provided me a prescription medication to treat yeast infections. The problem was that the first veterinarian charged me $30 for the ointment, but the second veterinarian only charged me $20. It lasted for almost two weeks and contained about two ounces. Although I adore Max dearly, I was unable to pay for the prescription and doctor visits each time his ears became infected. And yes, neither veterinarian would sell me any more ointment without a checkup. I sought a substitute that was safe for Max and wouldn't send me to the "Poorhouse," as everyone who owns a cocker knows that ear issues are a constant problem. The solution was Curaseb! I also tried other items from big box stores and pet supply shops, but none of them provided Max with more than a few days of comfort. He immediately resumed tossing his head and furiously using his paws to scratch his ears. Max feels at ease and his ears don't smell after receiving a treatment of Curaseb every three days. Max and I are happy with Curaseb because it costs just over $14 for 12 oz. Again, many thanks for a quality product!



Zymox Ear Solution with 0.5-Percent Hydrocortisone, 1.25-Ounce Review:


My Boston Terrier had ear infections, so I had to spend several hundred dollars getting him to the vet. His ears become extremely itchy and red, smell awful, and discharge a waxy brown substance. He rubs his ears till they bleed. He physically yelled in anguish whenever somebody touched him close to his ears because it was so bad.The vet gave us some antibiotic drops during this time, but they had no effect. We returned and received more medication, which seemed to help for about a week before the issue reappeared. Out of desperation, I chose to conduct my own research. After reading the positive reviews for this product on Amazon, I chose to give it a try.After three days of daily drops, his ears were back to normal. I kept applying for three more days, trying to get rid of any leftover bad guys. That was roughly a month ago, and everything have gone well thus far. No more unclean ears.I should clarify that my dog must eat grain-free food because he has a grain intolerance. And I eat grain, so I'm not one of those individuals that thinks it's bad. It took us months to realize that the grain-based meal was the root of his red, inflamed, and scratchy skin, which was so terrible it was practically constant. The meal without grains resolved the skin issues but not the ear issues.This medication is worthwhile to try if your dog is experiencing similar problems. Additionally, it is less expensive than a vet visit fee.



ZYMOX Advanced Formula Otic Plus Enzymatic Ear Solution for Dogs and Cats with 1% Hydrocortisone, 1.25oz Review:


I have Irish Setter show dogs, and I have one little gentleman that has had environmental and food allergies his entire life. He is now five years old, and I eventually found Fromm Adult Maintenance for him to eat, which worked wonders for his weight, gut, and coat. I could smell the beginnings of a Pseudomonas infection (sweet and grape-like), but it was NOT pus like an ear infection. However, he has ALWAYS had yucky, runny, gooey ears that my veterinarian of over 30 years could not resolve. He finally chalked it up to environmental allergies and said he would always have bad ears. His ears were RAW, bloody (only SOME from scratching), and just RUNNY with serum I truly do know what I'm doing, so listen up, people. I owned a champion Gordon Setter and have owned, shown, and/or groomed show Irish since 1992 for a reputable breeder. If "I" can't handle a problem, it's quite terrible. I religiously used Eco-Ears without success, so I went to Petco and bought some Zymox (the ordinary one with 0.5% hydrocortisone) to see if it would help. Seriously...... My guy's ears started to recover after using it for two days, so I decided to get the Otic-HC after reading the reviews. After two more days of therapy, his ears were 95% back to normal, and I was beside myself. See the image for yourself; they are UNCLEANED (per the instructions), so sure, there is some brown wax in them, but they are a FAR CRY from the disheartening, painful, stinky runny mess. This is after seven days of use and five days of not using anything. I used a cotton ball in the ear to keep the Zymox in for an hour, then removed the cotton ball (be careful to get the whole thing out - don't let kids do it). If you have a dog who has not responded to antibiotics and you have not tried this yet, you would do yourself and your best friend a BIG favor if you at LEAST tried it. He doesn't cry any more when I just get near his head, and he seems very comfortable - no Although $23 may seem like a lot, I think it's a little sum to spend compared to a $371 vet bill when you are given MORE ear cleaning, prednisone, and one or more antibiotics (like Baytril - yikes!) and sent home. Thank you, Pet King Brands, my dog and I are now on a weekly maintenance dose. I sincerely hope that we never experience it again - the poor little guy had to endure that because "I" was unaware of Zymox Plus Otic-HC.



Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder (30 Grams) Review:


For my dog, this product worked incredibly nicely. I first observed my dog jerking his head and scratching his ear till it was red a few months ago. His ear was wet, raw, and highly odorous after I attempted a vinegar peroxide flush on it. A lot of wax was cleaned out as well. I continued to give him this type of flush every two or three days, but his ear did not get any better. After reading about this product, I made the decision to try it. I bought this item, which combines a dog ear powder and a dry ear ointment. After the first therapy, I saw progress. To this day, I still have to put the dog's cone collar on to stop him from excessively scratching his ear. After a few months, I no longer need to use the three products more than once a week. The wash cleaner, dry lotion, and powder are used after flushing his ears many times with diluted warm water and vinegar applied with a plastic bulb tip applicator. I'm delighted to report that both of his ears look good and healthy, don't flush out a lot of wax, and don't smell bad. The dog is content, and I think this combination has healed his ears without incurring the cost of a visit to the vet. I'm quite happy with this purchase. For my dog, it worked well and never made his ears hurt. Additionally, the product(s) have a pleasant clove scent. Highly suggested.



Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz. Review:


I'll only ever use this brand of items! Four years ago, I adopted a German Shepherd from a shelter. She had an ear infection when we first acquired her, so we took care of it. After spending $250 at the vet, it returned. For the following three and a half years, we battled persistent illnesses. Never more than two to three months passed before they returned. We ran out of options so we began using natural medicines at home. Yet nothing was successful! We decided to give Zymox goods a try because we believed it would save us money. The Zymox Advanced Otic Plus solution was the strongest one we could find, so we decided to purchase it. 4 weeks straight were spent in therapy. For chronic infections, a recommendation of 7 days or 14 days is made. Considering how long we've been battling infections, we chose to treat more aggressively. Following the procedure, we let the ears rest for three to four days before ordering the Zymox Ear Cleaner. The ears have never looked so clean after all of our cleaning! Her ears are typically dark and discolored from infections and scratching, but they are now lovely and pink and appear normal. Since around two weeks ago, we've been using the ear cleaner every day, but thus far, only a small amount of waxy material has ever come out. I was genuinely shocked that her ears were still clean when we started back after I had been gone for a few days. I was at my wits' end and didn't have another $2000 to spend on additional ear treatments at the vet. Between the two bottles of Otic Plus solution and the two bottles of ear cleaner, I spent roughly $100. The best $100 I ever spent on a puppy! Give this a try if your dog has suffered like mine has!! I'm just an overjoyed mother who wants to share our experience; I'm not being compensated to write this review.



Pet MD Otic Clean Dog Ear Cleaner for Cats and Dogs - Effective Against Infections Caused by Mites, Yeast, Itching and Controls Odor - 8 oz Review:


I didn't get this product for free, in contrast to the majority of the other reviews on this page. I bought it at full price and hoped for the best.Along with the Animal Dermatology Laboratories ear mite therapy, I'm using this on two cats who both have ear mites. In order to ensure that the treatment will be more effective, I first use this cleaner to prepare the ears for treatment. However, I wait a few hours after cleaning before using the treatment. I'm also using this cleaner every other day in between treatments because the treatment can only be done twice weekly (for 3 weeks).I warm approximately an ounce of this cleaner in a shot glass until it is "baby warm" before using it. The cotton is then shrunk down by unrolling some actual (not fake) cotton balls. This yields me around 6 inches of fluffy cotton "about half an inch length by wide. I reduced them by half to 3 "lengthy pieces I hold the cotton thread in the cat's ear and gently swirl and twist it without going too deep. I then dip the end of the cotton strand into the cleaner. I go through six half-strands of cotton (three cotton balls) per ear. Compared to trying to use cotton swabs on a stick, this is considerably safer.When my cats realize I'm about to tamper with their ears once more, they begin to struggle since they dislike the ear mite treatment material. However, there must be something in this cleaner that makes them feel better because as soon as it touches the inside of either cat's ear, both cats immediately become relaxed and begin to purr.The perfume is really potent, which is the only reason I can't give this five stars. Strong and persistent, if not quite as overpowering as some pet ear cleaning and treatments. It lasts several days. Since cats have such an acute sense of smell, I can only image how unpleasant it would be for them to constantly be surrounded by this cloyingly sweet, perfume-like scent. It doesn't smell natural or clean. For dogs and cats with sensitive noses, I wish they would produce this product unscented.



Vet's Best Dog Ear Cleaner Kit | Multi-Symptom Ear Relief | Wash & Dry Treatment | Alcohol-free Review:


Seriously, I'm hardly able to believe how effective this thing is. It was an excellent purchase that I made two years ago for my Staffy's recurrent ear discomfort and infections. The secret is to wash AND dry everything. It was time for a new order after two years of intermittent but steady use because the contents were a little weird. But this time, I tried something new, which was a HUGE MISTAKE. On Amazon, I purchased Zymox, the most well-liked dog ear cleanser, and it was awful. My poor dog's ear progressed from being uncomfortable to DISGUSTING—it became more irritated and began to smell awful.On his way home from work, my spouse decided to pick up something else, and the outcomes were the same.Her ears were cured OVERNIGHT after I immediately went online and got Vet's Best Wash


Do indoor cats get ear mites?

Outdoor cats are more likely to get ear mites than indoor cats. Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canals of cats. They are most commonly found in kittens and young cats.

Do indoor cats need their ears cleaned?

Indoor cats typically don't need their ears cleaned as often as outdoor cats because they're not as exposed to dirt, debris and other potential irritants. However, if you notice your cat shaking her head or scratching her ears more than usual, it's a good idea to have her checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions. If your cat's ears are healthy, you can gently clean them with a cotton ball soaked in warm water or a mild ear cleansing solution.

How can I get rid of my cats ear infection naturally?

There are a few things you can do to help get rid of your cat's ear infection naturally. First, you can try cleaning their ears with a solution of warm water and vinegar. This will help to loosen any wax or debris that may be causing the infection. You can also try using a cotton ball to apply some coconut oil to the affected area. This will help to soothe the irritation and help to clear up the infection. Finally, make sure to give your cat plenty of fresh water to drink. This will help to flush out their system and keep them hydrated.

How can I treat my cat's ears at home?

If you think your cat has an ear infection, take them to the vet. If the vet prescribes medication, follow the instructions carefully. If you are cleaning your cat's ears at home, use a cat ear cleaner. Do not use cotton swabs, as this can damage the ear.

How do I tell if my cat has ear mites?

Ear mites are very small parasites that live in the ear canals of animals. They are most commonly found in cats, but can also be found in dogs, rabbits, and other animals. Ear mites feed on the wax and oils in the ear canal and can cause a lot of irritation. Symptoms of ear mites include excessive scratching of the ears, head shaking, and a black or brown discharge from the ears. If you think your cat has ear mites, take them to the vet for a diagnosis and treatment.

What can I use to clean my cat's ears?

There are a few things you can use to clean your cat's ears. One is a cotton ball soaked in warm water. Another is a cat ear cleansing solution from your vet. And finally, you can use a soft, damp cloth. Just be careful not to go too deep into the ear canal.