Any discharge, odor, excess scratching, pawing, or rubbing at the ears, redness, pain, swelling, or masses may indicate an infection or other abnormality. To clean normal ears, choose a mild ear cleaner specifically for use in animals. Don't use vinegar, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide routinely. These substances can be irritating to some cats and painful to an already inflamed ear canal. There are several types of cleaners to choose from.
Some cleaners break up wax, while others dry the ear canal.
There are combination products as well. Consult your veterinarian for help in choosing the best options for your pet. Ear cleaning starts with good general grooming. Excess, dirty or matted hair should be removed from around the ear canal and the ear flap. Heavy, matted or constantly moist surrounding hair will decrease air flow to the ear canal, trap wax and other debris, and can lead to infection.