It's important for owners to know how to clean cats' and dogs' ears. After all, just like any other part of the body, ears and ears need to be cleaned to preserve the health of animals.
But first, an explanation. The ear is divided into three parts:
- External ear, the part that, as its name implies, is the outer part. It is responsible for picking up sound waves.
- The middle ear, where the eardrum is located, receives the sound waves picked up by the outer ear.
- The inner ear is home to the cochlea, the organ responsible for hearing. Also in the inner ear is the vestibular system, which is responsible for animals' balance.
In other words, keeping dogs' and cats' ears clean is essential for perfect hearing.
What to look out for when cleaning pets' ears
In the outer ear, it is important for owners to look for sores and secretions. These can be caused by scratches from the pet's nails, insect bites, allergies and other factors.
If your pet feels uncomfortable when you touch its ears, even on the outside, it may have some kind of inflammation in the area, known as otitis. Inflammation can have various origins, such as bath water entering the ear canal, or fungi and bacteria caused by humidity, especially in long-eared breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel.
Look for a bad smell in the animal's ears. As well as the production of differently colored earwax. This could indicate inflammation caused by microorganisms.
In any of these cases, the first thing to do is take your pet to the vet. He will detect the cause and recommend the best treatment.
Even small wounds in the ear can become a risky condition for animals.
How to clean dogs' and cats' ears
- Separate the necessary materials, such as absorbent cotton and the ear cleaning solution, which should be suitable for animals. Never use human solutions.
- Position the animal so that it is comfortable. You may need to calm it down, which you can do by offering it affection and treats.
- Soak a absorbent cotton pad in the solution and, using your fingers, dab it all over the outer ear.
- If a veterinarian has indicated the use of cerumen removers, use them as prescribed.
- When bathing, put a absorbent cotton pad in each of the animal's ears to prevent water from getting in.
- Important: avoid using flexible rods as they can damage the ear, especially if the animal moves.
Which solutions to use
Now that you know about the importance of and how to clean dogs' and cats' ears, check out three Soft Care ear care products.
K-Treat Oto Micellar
Ideal for sensitive skin, the Micellar Complex removes dirt and cerumen without damaging the skin.
Its composition contains Phytosphingosine (for skin reconstruction), Aloe vera (which offers comfort), Mentha piperita (for relief and refreshment), Baobab Protein and Panthenol (which moisturize the skin).
Find out more about K-Treat Oto Micellar
Propcalm Otological
Ideal ear solution for removing excess cerumen, sanitizing and protecting the skin and neutralizing unwanted odours.
Enriched with Propolis, which provides natural and effective protection against external agents for the ears.
More information about Propcalm Otologic
Oto Clean Up
This solution provides complete ear cleaning. It removes excess cerumen, dirt and also neutralizes odours.
Enriched with Panthenol (moisturizes and helps maintain skin integrity), Chamomile (soothes) and Mint (refreshes).
Find out more about Oto Clean Up
Veterinarians can find out more about Soft Care's ear care products at SAC - Customer Service.
