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How to Clean a Cat's Ears

You may need to clean your cat's ears as a preliminary to administering medication for mites, or just as a part of regular grooming.

Difficulty Level: easy      Time Required: 10 minutes


Here's How:
  1. Assemble supplies: olive oil or commercial ear cleaner, cotton balls, container for water
  2. Warm the olive oil or ear cleaner to body temperature by placing the container in a warm pan of water.
  3. Place the cat on a table or counter.
  4. Put a drop or two of the liquid into the round opening of the ear canal.
  5. Massage the base of the ear for at least a minute, to work the liquid around.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the other ear.
  7. Leave your cat alone for 5 minutes. He'll do a great deal of head shaking, which will dislodge dirt and move it into the outer ear canal.
  8. After 5 minutes, use clean cotton balls to wipe away oil and dirt from the ear.
  9. Give your cat a treat for being so good.

Tips:

  1. Use the same techniques for administering medication to the ears, with the exception of steps 2 and 8.

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