Cat Eye & Ear Care
8 productsKeep your cat's eyes and ears clean with gentle, vet-recommended care.[more] Cleaners and wipes for routine upkeep and tear-stain marks alike. Browse ranges from Troy, PAW and Natural Animal Solutions.
$21.49
$26.89
Do cats need their ears cleaned?
Most cats keep their own ears clean and, with upright ears and good self-grooming, get far fewer ear problems than dogs.
Routine cleaning is only occasional for the average cat, mainly to wipe away visible wax, and a healthy ear is best left alone. What matters more is knowing when an ear needs attention: a cat scratching at an ear, shaking their head or holding it oddly usually has a reason, and that is a signal to look closer rather than clean harder. A cat with recurrent ear irritation may have an underlying skin allergy, which our range of cat products for skin conditions can help you work through.
Our guide to cat skin conditions explains the signs.
Ear mites: the common cat ear problem
The one ear problem cats do commonly get is ear mites, most often in kittens and cats from a shelter or multi-cat home.
The giveaway is a dark, dry, coffee-ground wax and an intensely itchy cat scratching at their ears and shaking their head. Ear mites are contagious to other cats and dogs in the home, and cleaning alone will not clear them, so they need a proper mite treatment from your vet rather than an ear cleaner. If you see that classic dark debris, book a vet visit and mention any other pets, as they may need treating too.
Caring for your cat's eyes
A little clear discharge in the corner of a cat's eye is normal and wipes away easily, and flat-faced breeds like Persians and Exotics are more prone to tear staining that benefits from gentle, regular wiping.
Use a cat-safe eye wipe or a damp cotton pad, working from the inner corner outward with a fresh pad for each eye. What is not routine is a red, swollen or squinting eye, thick or coloured discharge, or a visible third eyelid, all of which point to an eye problem your vet should see promptly, since eyes can deteriorate quickly.
How to clean a cat's ears and eyes safely
For both ears and eyes, gentle and occasional beats thorough and frequent.
Wipe only the visible outer ear with a cat-safe cleaner on cotton wool, and never push anything into the ear canal. For eyes, use a product made for the job rather than human drops or wipes. Keep sessions short and calm, follow with a treat, and stop if your cat is distressed, as forcing it makes the next time harder. If you are cleaning often to keep on top of wax or discharge, that frequency is itself a reason to check in with your vet.
Trusted cat eye and ear brands
- Troy: gentle ear cleaners and eye care staples used widely for cats.
- PAW: cat-friendly cleansers for routine ear and eye upkeep.
- Natural Animal Solutions: natural ear and eye cleansers for light, regular care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ear mites are very contagious between cats and dogs but only rarely affect people, and any human reaction is usually a mild, temporary skin itch rather than an ear infestation. Treating the affected pet, and any others in the home, clears the source. See your vet for the right mite treatment rather than trying to manage it yourself.
Dark, dry, coffee-ground wax with an itchy, head-shaking cat usually means ear mites, which are common in kittens and multi-pet homes. Mites are contagious to other cats and dogs and cannot be cleared by cleaning alone, so they need a proper treatment from your vet. Mention any other pets in the home, as they may need treating too.
No, use products made for cats rather than human eye or ear drops, which can contain ingredients that sting or are unsafe for a cat. A cat-safe cleaner or wipe is right for routine care, and anything medicated should come from your vet. If an eye or ear looks infected, see your vet rather than reaching for a human product.
See your vet promptly for a red, swollen or squinting eye, a visible third eyelid, or thick coloured discharge, and for an ear that is painful, smelly or has a dark or pus-like build-up. Cats hide discomfort, so a cat pawing at their face or holding an eye shut is telling you something is wrong. Eyes in particular can worsen quickly, so do not wait it out.
