Ear and Eye Care for Cats

Ears and eyes are among the most sensitive yet most frequently overlooked areas of home cat care. Regular checking and cleaning of these areas isn't just a cosmetic matter – it's a preventive routine that can catch health problems before they become painful and costly. Cats are also very good at hiding ear and eye problems, so active monitoring by the owner is the only reliable way to catch issues early.

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Caring for a cat's ears

A healthy cat's ear is clean, light pink, odourless and free of discharge. A small amount of light brown wax is normal – it's part of the ear canal's natural protection. Anything beyond this – dark, crumbly discharge, a strong smell, redness, swelling or frequent ear scratching – is a sign that something isn't right and needs attention.

The most common ear problems in cats:

• Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) – the most common cause of ear problems in cats, especially young cats and those who go outdoors. The typical sign is dark, crumbly discharge resembling coffee grounds, intense ear scratching and head shaking. Ear mites are highly contagious between cats, and between cats and dogs living together – they require veterinary treatment.
• Yeast and bacterial infections – show up as dark or purulent discharge, an unpleasant smell and redness of the ear canal. They're often a secondary problem linked to allergies, food intolerance or an anatomical predisposition. They require a vet's diagnosis and treatment.
• Ear haematoma – a painful swelling caused by a burst blood vessel from intense head shaking or scratching. It shows up as noticeable thickening or puffiness of the ear flap. It requires veterinary treatment – left untreated, it won't heal on its own and may leave permanent deformity.
• Wax build-up – in some breeds, especially cats with large ears or those living in dusty environments, wax builds up faster. Regular cleaning prevents the ear canal from becoming blocked and stops secondary infections.

How to clean a cat's ears properly:

• Use only a specialist cat ear cleaning solution – water, olive oil or dog products aren't suitable. A good cleaning solution softens build-up, has disinfectant properties and doesn't cause irritation.
• Apply the solution into the ear canal and gently massage the base of the ear for 20–30 seconds – you'll hear a characteristic squelching sound. Then let the cat shake its head and wipe away any residue with gauze or a cleaning pad.
• Never use cotton buds – they push dirt and wax deeper into the ear canal, can damage the eardrum and dramatically increase the risk of infection.
• Only clean the visible part of the ear canal – never reach deep into the ear. If there's build-up too deep to reach, that's a job for the vet.
• How often you need to clean depends on the breed and the individual cat's needs – most cats only need checking and cleaning once every 2–4 weeks. Cats prone to wax build-up may need cleaning more often.

Caring for a cat's eyes

Healthy cat's eyes are bright, clear, symmetrical and free of discharge. The third eyelid – the nictitating membrane – shouldn't be visible, or should only show as a thin, pale strip in the inner corner of the eye. A visible or reddened nictitating membrane is always a sign that something is wrong with the cat – it can indicate illness, stress, parasites or an eye problem.

The most common eye problems in cats:

• Conjunctivitis – the most common eye condition in cats. It shows up as redness, swollen eyelids, watering and discharge. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection (most often herpesvirus or chlamydia), allergies or irritation. It requires a vet's diagnosis – treatment depends on the cause.
• Epiphora (excessive tear staining) – chronic watering that causes dark staining under the eyes, especially in flat-faced breeds such as the Persian or Exotic Shorthair. Caused by an anatomical narrowing of the tear ducts. Regular cleaning around the eyes prevents skin irritation and infections.
• Eye discharge – a small amount of dried discharge in the corner of the eye is normal. Excessive, discoloured (yellow, green) or purulent discharge always calls for a veterinary check-up.
• Corneal ulcers – a painful injury to the cornea caused by scratches, a foreign body or infection. The cat squints, avoids light and paws at the eyelid. It requires immediate veterinary care – an untreated corneal ulcer can lead to loss of the eye.
• Glaucoma and cataracts – less common but serious eye conditions that occur mainly in older cats. Glaucoma shows up as raised pressure inside the eye and pain, cataracts as clouding of the lens. Both require veterinary treatment.

How to clean a cat's eyes properly:

• To clean around the eyes, use sterile saline solution or a specialist eye cleaning solution for cats – never use ordinary tap water, which can contain chlorine and minerals that irritate the eye's mucous membranes.
• Always wipe from the inner corner of the eye outwards – never the other way, so you don't drag dirt closer to the eye.
• Use a clean pad or piece of gauze for each eye – sharing pads between both eyes can spread infection from one eye to the other.
• Never blow into the eye, rub it or rinse it with a strong jet of water – a cat's eye is very sensitive and rough handling causes pain and irritation.
• If the cat's eye is squinting, avoiding light or being pawed at – see a vet straight away. Eye pain is one of the most intense forms of pain and should never be ignored.

Practical tips for caring for your cat's ears and eyes:

• Always carry out ear and eye care in good light – you'll spot any abnormalities more easily and the cat will be less stressed than in a dark room.
• Make ear and eye checks part of a regular weekly routine – a few minutes once a week is enough to catch most problems early.
• Get your cat used to ear and eye checks from kittenhood – a kitten accustomed to being handled around the head will cooperate far better than an adult cat unfamiliar with this contact.
• When cleaning ears or eyes, hold the cat firmly but gently – a loose or restless cat can suddenly move and injure itself.
• Always discuss any asymmetry between the right and left eye or ear with your vet – one-sided problems are more often a sign of a more serious condition than symmetrical ones.

Regular ear and eye care is a small investment of time with a big impact on your cat's health and wellbeing. A cat that's used to regular checks will repay this care by having problems caught early – sparing you unnecessary complications and vet bills.