How to Clean Your Cat's Ears at Home (and When Not To)

You fold back your cat's ear and spot a little brown wax. Now you're wondering if you should clean it, and how. Here is the short answer. Many healthy cats keep their own ears clean, so routine cleaning often isn't needed. What every cat does need is a quick look now and then.

If you see a little wax on the inside of the flap, you can wipe away what you can see. Dark, crumbly debris is a different story. So is a bad smell, redness or a sore ear. In those cases, call your vet before you wipe.

Below: whether cats need ear cleaning, how to check her ears, the signs that mean more than wax, a gentle outer-ear routine, and how often to do it.

Do Cats Need Their Ears Cleaned?

Most cats don't need routine ear cleaning. VCA Animal Hospitals puts it plainly. Most cats have healthy, clean ears and never need them cleaned.

PetMD agrees that most cats don't need frequent ear cleaning. It adds that their ears should still be checked regularly. And WebMD notes that cats clean themselves, so ear cleaning is usually not needed.

Still, every cat is different. Some may never need an ear cleaning. Others may need it often.

So think of it this way. Checking is a habit. Cleaning is only for when you see something.

How Do You Check Your Cat's Ears?

A quick look once a week is enough for most cats. The ASPCA suggests checking your cat's ears once a week for wax and debris. It takes less than a minute.

Pick a calm moment, like when she's dozing on your lap. Stroke her head first. Then gently fold one ear back and look inside. Take a sniff, too. Then do the other ear.

Here is what you're looking for. The ASPCA says healthy inner ears are pale pink, with no debris or smell, and little or no wax. The outside of the ear flap should have a layer of hair with no bald spots.

While you're up close, glance at her eyes, too. Eye gunk is its own topic. Our guide to cat eye boogers covers what's normal there.

When Is It More Than Wax?

Dark debris, a smell or a sore ear means a vet visit first. This is the "brown gunk" question most cat parents have. A little wax can be normal. A buildup of dark, crumbly debris usually isn't.

Watch for debris that looks like coffee grounds. Dr. Shelby Neely, a vet writing for Adopt a Pet, describes dark brown or black debris like this. When it comes with itching, a smell or redness, she says to stop and see your vet.

One common cause is ear mites. VCA lists a dark, waxy or crusty discharge among the signs. It says ear mites spread easily through direct contact with another infested animal. Your vet confirms them by looking into the ear with a scope, or by checking the debris under a microscope.

The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that ear mites are the most common cause of outer ear inflammation in cats. Yeast that normally lives in the ear can also overgrow.

Mites aren't the only reason for a sore ear. International Cat Care lists growths called polyps, infections and grass seeds stuck in the ear. It also lists wounds from cat fights, which can tear right through the ear flap.

If any of them fit, hold off on cleaning. VCA says to check with your vet before you clean ears that are red, inflamed or painful. PetMD says not to clean at home if you suspect an infection or an injury. A sore ear needs a diagnosis, not a wipe.

At home, dark wax and mite debris can look alike. Your vet can tell them apart. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

How Do You Clean the Outer Ear?

Loosen the wax, let her shake, then wipe only what you can see. This routine is for a little normal wax in the outer ear. It is not for an ear that looks or smells wrong.

Set Up a Calm Moment

Choose a time when your cat is relaxed, like after a meal or a nap. Have everything ready first: cotton balls or pads, a towel and a favorite snack. Work over a towel or in the bathroom. She will shake her head, and drops can fly.

If she squirms, wrap her loosely in a towel with only her head out. VCA suggests the same wrap, and says a second person to hold her can help. Talk softly and move slowly. The calm, short-session approach in our guide to cleaning tear stains gently works for ears, too.

Loosen the Wax

A cleaner made for cats' ears helps loosen wax before you wipe. LitterBond's Ear Cleaner is a 60 ml bottle with a long, curved nozzle. Gently fold back the ear flap. Squeeze a few drops at the ear opening, without pushing the nozzle inside.

Next, softly massage the base of her ear. Then step back and let her shake her head. VCA notes that shaking helps move the cleaner and loose debris out.

The ear cleaner helps loosen wax and dirt, so it comes away on a cotton pad. It's made to be gentle and non-irritating. Still, it's for normal wax in the outer ear only. It is no fix for scratching, head shaking or a smell. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

Wipe Only What You Can See

Wrap a cotton ball or pad around your fingertip. Wipe the inside of the flap and the part of the ear you can see. Go only as deep as your fingertip reaches. The ASPCA's method is the same: fold the ear back gently, and wipe away the wax and debris you can see. Use a fresh pad for the other ear.

For the fur on the outer flap, a damp pad is handy. LitterBond's Tear Stain Wipes are soft, round cotton pads, already moistened. The product page lists outer ears among the spots they're for. Use them on the flap you can see, never inside the ear. Is she fussy about new smells? Try one pad on her chin first. Cats are sensitive to essential oils and strong scents. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

Watch her the whole time. If she flinches or cries out, stop. VCA says to stop and call your vet if your cat seems to be in pain while you clean. Finish with the snack, so the reward is what she remembers.

What Never Goes in Her Ears

Leave these out, even if a friend swears by them:

• Cotton swabs. PetMD warns they can push debris deeper into the canal and damage the eardrum.
• Water. Dr. Neely notes that water can stay trapped in the ear canal.
• Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. VCA says cleaners with either one can irritate the ear canal, especially if it's inflamed.
• Anything poked into the canal. The ASPCA says never to probe inside it, because that can injure her ear.

How Often Should You Clean Them?

Check every week, and clean only when you see wax. For many cats, that means rarely. VCA says to clean as often as your vet recommends, so ask at her next checkup.

Some cats need more help. Dr. Neely writes that breeds such as the Sphynx and the Scottish Fold may be more prone to wax buildup. They may need cleaning more often than other cats.

Watch the trend, too. Are you wiping more often each week? Is the wax getting darker, or does it smell? Then it's time to call your vet.

You can find the cleaner and the pads in our eye, ear and skin care collection.

If your cat shakes off the pad or walks away, she is not being naughty. Ears are touchy, and a new routine takes time. Stop for now. Try again on a calmer day, and give her a small reward when you're done. A little wax on the flap is easy to wipe. Dark debris, a smell, redness or pain means a call to your vet. Otherwise, look once a week, wipe only what you can see, and leave the rest of her ear alone.

Questions this guide did not cover

Why is my cat's ear flap puffy and swollen?

It may be a haematoma, and it needs your vet. International Cat Care describes a haematoma as a large swelling filled with blood. A small blood vessel under the skin breaks, and blood collects in the flap. It can follow a lot of head shaking and scratching from a deeper ear problem.

Do white cats need extra care for their ears?

Yes, in strong sun. International Cat Care says repeated sun exposure and sunburn can lead to sore, damaged skin and even skin cancer. It is more common in cats with white or pale ears. Show your vet any sore or crusty patch on the ear tips.

My vet gave us ear drops. Do I clean the ears first?

Usually, yes. VCA Animal Hospitals says that when a cat needs medicine in her ears, you clean the ears first and then apply it. Ask your vet to show you how many drops to use and how to hold her.

Related reading

• How to Clean Cat Tear Stains Gently (and When to Call the Vet)
• Cat Eye Boogers: What's Normal, and How to Wipe Them Gently