How to Clean Cat Ears: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Cats are meticulous groomers. They spend hours licking, cleaning, and perfecting their appearances. But there's one place their tongue can't reach: the inside of their ears.

While most cats never need ear cleaning, some accumulate wax, debris, or develop infections that require your help. The key is knowing when to clean, how to clean safely, and when to see a vet instead.

Does Your Cat Actually Need Ear Cleaning?

Signs of a Healthy Ear

Look inside your cat's ear. A healthy ear is:

• Pale pink inside
• Smooth and clean
• No odor
• Minimal to no visible wax
• Cat shows no discomfort

If this describes your cat's ears, leave them alone. Over-cleaning causes more problems than it solves.

Signs That Cleaning Is Needed

Clean your cat's ears if you see:

• Visible wax buildup: Brown or black waxy deposits
• Debris: Dirt or foreign material in the ear
• Mild odor: Not foul, just musty
• Slight discharge: Minimal and not pus-like

Signs That Mean "Go to the Vet Instead"

These symptoms indicate infection or disease—don't clean, get professional help:

• Foul smell: Strong, unpleasant odor
• Excessive discharge: Thick, pus-like, or bloody
• Head shaking or tilting: Constant or frequent
• Scratching at ears: Obsessive pawing
• Pain when ears are touched: Pulling away, crying, aggression
• Black, coffee-ground-like debris: Could be ear mites
• Redness or swelling: Inside the ear canal
• Hearing loss or balance issues: Indicates deeper problems

Cleaning an infected ear can push debris deeper and spread infection. When in doubt, vet first.

What You'll Need

Essential Supplies

Vet-approved ear cleaner:

• Products like Epi-Otic, Virbac, or Zymox
• These are formulated to be safe for the sensitive ear canal
• They help break up wax and evaporate properly

Cotton balls or cotton pads:

• Soft and absorbent
• Large enough to not get lost in the ear

Treats:

• For positive reinforcement
• Make the experience as pleasant as possible

Towel:

• For the "purrito wrap" technique
• Protects you from scratches

What NOT to Use

Never use Q-tips/cotton swabs:

• Can push debris deeper into the ear
• Risk of puncturing the eardrum
• Only use on the visible outer ear, never inside the canal

Never use water:

• Water doesn't evaporate well from the ear canal
• Creates a moist environment perfect for yeast and bacteria

Never use vinegar or alcohol:

• Vinegar stings, especially if there's any irritation
• Alcohol is too harsh and dries out the ear
• Can cause pain and make your cat hate ear cleaning forever

Never use hydrogen peroxide:

• Can damage healthy tissue
• Not designed for ear use

The Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Step 1: Prepare

Gather everything first: You won't be able to get up mid-cleaning.

Choose your location: A bathroom or kitchen counter with good lighting works well. Have the towel and treats nearby.

Assess your cat's mood: A sleepy, relaxed cat is easier than an alert, agitated one.

Step 2: The "Purrito" Wrap

For most cats (especially first-timers), wrapping them in a towel prevents scratches and helps them feel secure.

How to make a purrito:

1. Lay a towel flat on a surface
2. Place your cat in the center, facing away from you
3. Wrap one side of the towel snugly over their back, tucking under
4. Wrap the other side over, creating a cat burrito with only their head exposed
5. Hold firmly but not too tightly

This restrains the sharp bits (claws) while you work on the ears.

Step 3: Inspect the Ear

Before cleaning:

1. Gently fold back the ear flap to see inside
2. Look for redness, swelling, or excessive debris
3. Smell for any foul odor.
4. If anything looks concerning, stop and call the vet

Step 4: Apply the Ear Cleaner

1. Hold the ear cleaner bottle near the ear (not cold from the fridge)
2. Gently lift the ear flap to open the canal slightly
3. Squeeze a few drops of cleaner directly into the ear canal
4. Don't insert the bottle tip into the ear
5. Let the fluid slide down into the canal

Note: Your cat will probably try to shake their head. Keep a gentle grip on the ear flap.

Step 5: Massage the Base of the Ear

This is the key step that actually cleans:

1. Use your fingers to locate the base of the ear (the cartilage where it attaches to the skull)
2. Gently massage in a circular motion for 20-30 seconds
3. You should hear a squishy sound—that's the cleaner loosening wax and debris
4. Continue massaging until you've really worked the solution around

Step 6: Let Them Shake

Now release the ear and let your cat shake their head.

This is intentional. The shaking action uses centrifugal force to fling loosened debris and excess cleaner out of the ear canal.

Stand back—there will be splatter.

Step 7: Wipe the Outer Ear

1. Use a clean cotton ball or pad
2. Wipe away any debris, cleaner, and wax visible in the outer ear
3. Gently wipe the folds and crevices
4. Do NOT insert anything into the ear canal—only clean what you can see

Step 8: Repeat on the Other Ear

Use a fresh cotton ball for the second ear to avoid cross-contamination.

Step 9: Reward!

Give your cat treats and praise. You want them to associate ear cleaning with positive outcomes.

Tips for Difficult Cats

The Squirmer

• Have a second person help hold
• Consider doing one ear per session
• Keep sessions very short at first

The Fighter

• Do not force it if your cat is truly panicking
• Try desensitization: Touch ears frequently, give treats, work up to cleaning gradually
• Consider having a vet or groomer do it if it's too stressful

The Hider-After

• Prepare treats in advance
• Keep sessions short and positive
• End BEFORE they get totally stressed, not after

How Often Should You Clean?

Most cats: Never or rarely. Healthy ears are self-maintaining.

Cats with chronic wax production: Weekly to monthly, as directed by your vet.

Cats with ear conditions: Follow your vet's specific instructions.

After being outdoors/adventures: Check and clean if dirty.

Over-cleaning disrupts the natural ear environment and can cause:

• Irritation
• Increased wax production
• Higher infection risk

When in doubt, less is more.

Preventing Ear Problems

Regular Checks

Once a week, take a quick peek at your cat's ears:

• Flip the ear flap back
• Look for wax, debris, odor, or redness
• Notice if your cat flinches or pulls away

Early detection catches problems before they become serious.

Address Allergies

Ear problems often stem from allergies (food or environmental). If your cat has chronic ear issues, ask your vet about allergy testing.

Treat Ear Mites Promptly

Ear mites are highly contagious and cause intense itching. If you see black, coffee-ground-like debris:

• See a vet for diagnosis
• Treat all pets in the household
• Clean bedding and spaces

Keep Cats Indoors

Outdoor cats are exposed to:

• More debris and dirt
• Ear mites from other cats
• Ticks that can lodge in ears
• Environmental allergens

Indoor cats typically have cleaner, healthier ears.

When Home Cleaning Isn't Enough

See your vet if:

• Ear problems persist despite cleaning
• You see signs of infection (pus, blood, swelling)
• Your cat is in obvious pain
• There's hearing loss or balance problems
• You suspect ear mites
• You're just not sure what you're looking at

Your vet can look deeper into the ear canal with an otoscope and prescribe appropriate medications if needed.

The Bottom Line

Most cats don't need regular ear cleaning—their ears are remarkably self-maintaining. But when cleaning IS needed:

1. Use only vet-approved ear cleaner
2. Never use Q-tips inside the ear canal
3. Massage the base of the ear to loosen debris
4. Let them shake to expel loosened material
5. Wipe only what you can see
6. Reward with treats

If you see signs of infection—odor, discharge, pain, or excessive head shaking—skip the home cleaning and go to the vet.

For routine maintenance, gentle and infrequent is the way to go.

Related: Cat Ear Mites Signs Related: How Often to Bathe a Cat