The Best Cat Ear Cleaner: Our Top 7 Picks Reviewed
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Related Articles: Ear Drops For Cats, Cat Ear Wipes
What is the Best Cat Ear Cleaner?
- Best Overall Cat Ear Cleaner: VetWELL Ear Cleaner for Cats
Cucumber melon scented cat ear cleaning product that is safe, effective, and affordable. - Most Easy-Use Cat Ear Cleaner: Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser for Cats
8 oz bottle of non-irritating, low pH ear cleansing solution enriched with castor oil. - Best Cat Ear Cleaner for Infections: Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanser for Cats
Gentle and vet-formulated ear cleaning solution for cats that provides itch relief. - Best Vet-Recommended Cat Ear Cleaner: Pet MD Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes
Alcohol-free ear wipes that are safe and easy to use and made in the USA. - Best Natural Cat Ear Cleaner: Petpost Ultra Soft Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes in Coconut Oil Solution
Cat ear wipes containing natural ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera. - Best Anti-Mites Cat Ear Cleaner: Four Paws Aloe Ear Mite Treatment for Cats
Ear mite treatment solution for cats enriched with anti-itch and soothing aloe vera. - Best Hypoallergenic Cat Ear Cleaner: OPULA Non-Irritating Hypoallergenic Ear Cleaner Wipes
Non-irritating wipes for dogs & cats suitable for sensitive skin and ears.
- Veterinarian formulated to gently clean neutralize, remove odor, and dry the ears of your pet
- Secure and soft Ear Cleanser with Aloe Vera that can be used daily
- Eliminates the accumulation of fluid and wax and dirt to prevent itching and head shaking
Should You Clean Your Cat’s Ears?
Yes, you should clean your cat’s ears. Here are some of the benefits of cleaning cat ears and using cat ear cleaners:
- Removes Wax & Dirt. Nozzle ear cleaners and wipes help easily clean the ear wax, dirt, and debris in a cat’s ears with a few drops and wipes.
- Relieves Itchiness. If your cat has itchy ears, a cat ear cleaner will reduce and eliminate the itchiness by maintaining the ear’s pH balance.
- Eliminates Infections. Ear cleaners eliminate any bacterial, fungal, and parasitic ear infections. They remove the otitis externa, a type of inflammation in cats.
- Removes Odor. If the car ears have a nasty smell, which could be due to dust, dirt, or wax, cat ear cleaners eradicate such foul odors.
- Eliminates Ear Mites. Cat ear cleaners gently remove ear wax and dirt and restore ear health, thereby keeping mites away from our cat’s ears.
What are the Types of Cat Ear Cleaners?
There are mainly two types of cat ear cleaners based on the mode of application:
- Ear Cleaning Solutions. An ear cleaning solution comes in a bottle with a nozzle at one end. It’s a liquid solution to be applied to the ear canal. Due to the pointed nozzle, the application is easy. It can also be applied multiple times a day.
- Ear Cleaning Wipes. Cat ear wipes are cleaning wipes pre-soaked with an effective solution. These disposable wipes remove dirt and wax debris all at once.
The Best Cat Ear Cleaners Reviewed
Here, we have reviewed the best cat ear cleaners, both solutions, and wipes, with pros and cons:
Price: $13.99
Item Weight: 7.8 x 1.85 x 1.77 inches; 8.16 Ounces
Pet: Dogs, Cats
Recommended Uses: Apply liberally to the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear. Allow the pet to shake its head. Clean excess with cotton or cloth. In excessively dirty ears: apply 2-3 times daily over several days. For maintenance of healthy ears: 1-2 times weekly or as often as recommended by your veterinarian. Always apply after swimming.
Summary: Odor-free, pleasant-smelling ear cleaner for cats to get rid of itchy, scratchy ears. It fights ear problems and eliminates wax, dirt, debris, and fluid. The ear cleaner contains aloe vera as its key ingredient and is enriched with vitamins A, C, E, and F that prevent the growth of any bacteria. It can be applied once daily in case of minimal infection and 2 to 3 times in the case of severe infection.
Best for: Ear infections, eliminate wax, odor
Features: Cucumber melon, stops itching, and reduces otitis external
- Pointed nozzle for easy application
- Fights infections, itchiness, build-up
- Reduces otitis externa (swimmers ear) by keeping ears free from moisture
- Non-stinging gentle cleaner for ears
veterinarian formulated and recommended
- Dangerous to cats’ eyes
Full Ingredient List: Deionized Water, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Vera Gel, SD Alcohol 40, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Salicylic Acid, Vitamins A, C, E & F, Fragrance, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol.
Customer Review: Based on the 12,593 global ratings, this cat ear cleaner has an above-average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Customers claim it works like magic and makes a huge difference.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving VetWELL Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats an overall 8/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (10/10): These Vet WELL Ear Cleaners for Dogs and Cats are highly suitable for cats, and dogs of all types of breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (8/10): This product has a combination of non-harmful chemicals and good materials.
- Cost Effectiveness (8/10): The Vet WELL Ear Cleaners for Dogs and Cats are affordable for their good quality product. Customers try this product, and their pet’s ears have been clearing up just the same as the expensive stuff.
- Customer Feedback (8/10): Most of our customers on amazon tried this product, and their pet’s ears have been clearing up just the same as the expensive stuff. It has a nice scent, is not too strong, and goes in quickly.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This product is cleaned and deodorized.
- Product Variety (6/10): It only comes in 8 oz and has 2 Scents cucumber melon and sweat pea vanilla.
Price: $21.99
Item Weight: 7.19 x 2.01 x 2.01 inches; 9.4 Ounces
Pet: Cats, Dogs
Recommended Uses: Used cotton squares or balls, saturated with this fluid, and inserted in the pet’s ears.
Summary: Routine cleanser by Virbac can be used daily to keep cat ears clean. If you find your cat’s ears wet and full of excessive wax and debris, use this advanced ear cleanser for cats to get easily rid of debris. The cleaner can be used in a daily routine for ear hygiene. Also, recommended for cats with chronic otitis externa, i.e., inflammation of the external ear.
Best for: Cleaning wax, drying moisture
Features: Routine cleanser, non-irritating, low pH
- Doesn’t interfere with other ear preparations
- Can be used regularly
- Non-irritating formula with neutral pH
- Contains castor oil as the main ingredient
- Can be applied directly with the nozzle
- Irritable to cat’s eyes
Full Ingredient List: Disodium Edta, Docusate Sodium, Pcmx, A Monosaccharide Complex (L-Rhamnose, D-Galactose, D-Mannose), and FD&C Blue #1.
Customer Review: Based on the 12,323 global ratings, this cat ear cleanser has an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers found this ear cleanser worthy and effective for swimmers’ ears.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser for dogs and cats an overall 8/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (10/10): These Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser for Dogs and Cats are highly suitable for cats, and dogs of all types of breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (8/10): This product has a combination of non-irritating solutions and good materials.
- Cost Effectiveness (8/10): The Vet WELL Ear Cleaners for Dogs and Cats are a bit expensive however, this is aligned with the quality of the product they are offering.
- Customer Feedback (8/10): Most of our customers on amazon tried this product, and their pet’s ears have been clearing up just the same as the expensive stuff. It has a nice scent, is not too strong, and it goes in quickly.
- Care and Cleanability (8/10): This ear cleanser is unscented, does not cause irritation on its own, and has been effective in keeping down symptoms of ear problems.
- Product Variety (6/10): It only comes in 8 oz and 4oz but only has one color.
Price: $16.99
Item Weight: 1.4 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches; 4 Ounces
Pet: Cats
Recommended Uses: Shake well and apply Ear Cleanse generously into the ear canal. Gently massage the base of the ear for 1-2 minutes. Wipe away any excess and allow your cat to shake its head to assist in removing any excess wax, dirt, and other matter.
Summary: Nutri-Vet ear cleanser is enriched with aloe vera as the main ingredient. Furthermore, it claims to clean wax and dirt and eliminate eczema, fungal infection, dermatitis, insect bites, and itching in cats’ ears. It is made in the USA from globally secured ingredients. It can be used without your vet’s recommendation as it is formulated by veterinarians and safe to use regularly on the outer part of the cat’s ears.
Best for: Dissolving wax, removing dirt
Features: Enriched with aloe vera; reduces itching, eczema, and fungal infection
- Gentle formula for relief from itchiness in cat’s ears
- Aloe vera formula reduces inflammation
- Contains salicylic acid for new cell growth in the cat’s ear canal
- Eliminates germs, toxins, and dead cells
- For topical use in the external ear and ear canal
- Contains salicylic acid, which can be toxic for pets
Full Ingredient List: Water, Propylene Glycol, SDA Alcohol, Aloe Vera, Salicylic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Customer Review: Based on the 1964 global ratings, this pet ear cleanser has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers found this ear efficient and affordable.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanser for Cats an overall 7/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (6/10): These Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanser for Cats are highly suitable for cats of all types of breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (8/10): This Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanser for Cats has a high-quality material, and it is safe and of great value.
- Cost Effectiveness (8/10): The Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanser for Cats is a good price and value.
- Customer Feedback (8/10): Most of the customers’ feedback on Amazon is positive, and there are only a few negative reviews. After using it twice, his ear has had a huge improvement in not only smell but wax buildup as well. The medication does have a scent, but it is not unpleasant.
- Care and Cleanability (8/10): May help stop itching from eczema, fungal infections, insect bites, fleas, and contact dermatitis combination of gentle yet effective ingredients that work together to soothe irritated ears. Have a scent, but it is not unpleasant
- Product Variety (4/10): It only comes in 4oz but only has one color.
Price: $12.59
Item Weight: 5.94 x 3.07 x 2.72 inches; 6.6 Ounces
Pet: Cats, Dogs
Recommended Uses: Apply liberally to the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear. Allow the pet to shake head. Clean excess with a cotton ball. For excessively dirty ears; apply 2-3 times daily over several days. For maintenance of healthy ears; 1-2 times weekly or as often as recommended by your veterinarian. Always apply after bathing or swimming.
Summary: With a cucumber melon scent, this ear cleanser comes from 100 alcohol-free wipes. Each wipe is disposable and made from a non-irritating formula. The main ingredients used in wipes include water, glycerine, and aloe vera. Just use a pad to wipe the dirty portion of the cat’s ear to free it from wax build-up, debris, and infections.
Best for: Dirt build-up, keeping ear free from infections
Features: Ear wipes, 100 wipes, alcohol-free, aloe vera
- Contains 100 alcohol-free wipes
- Pleasant cucumber melon smell
- Used to clean, deodorize, and prevent infections
- Can be easily used during traveling
- Facilitates an easy and painless ear cleaning
- Contains salicylic acid and tocopherols
Full Ingredient List:
Water, Glycerine, Polysorbate-80, Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate, Chloroxylenol, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Tocopherol, FD&C Blue
Customer Review: Based on the 4.644 global ratings, this cat ear cleanser has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers found this ear cleanser highly effective in cat ear care.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Pet MD Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes – Advanced Otic Veterinary Ear Cleaner an overall 8/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (8/10): These ear cleaner wipes are highly suitable for pets and are greatly appropriate for cats and dogs of different ages and breeds.
- Ingredient Quality (10/10): Pet MD Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes are 100% made of nontoxic materials and do not contain any harmful chemicals.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The Pet MD Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes are well-formulated and competitively priced. The quality of the product is in line with its price.
- Customer Feedback (8/10): Most of the customers’ feedback on Amazon is positive, and there are only a few negative reviews. Some of these negative reviews include comments about the product’s smell which has a strong scent.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): Most of our customer’s feedback says that the product is soothing to their pets and does not irritate them.
- Product Variety (4/10): It only comes with one size and one scent, which is the Cucumber Melon Scent.
Price: $16.97
Item Weight: 2.7 x 2.7 x 2.4 inches; 6.38 Ounces
Pet: Cats, Dogs
Recommended Uses: Simply clip the comb onto the handle, make sure your pet’s coat is clean and dry and remove any large knots or tangles before starting. Be gentle apply minimum pressure, and don’t focus on one area for too long. Avoid sensitive areas. For safety reasons, please keep the protective cover on the comb at all times when not in use. Always clean the comb after use.
Summary: You would be supporting a small business when buying from Petpost. The ear cleaner wipes from PetPost are made from environmentally conscious ingredients like water, aloe vera leaf juice, and coconut oil. It uses recyclable packaging and eco-friendly natural cotton pads, reducing your carbon footprint.
Best for: Infections, wax, dirt
Features: Coconut oil, aloe vera
- Contains 100 ultra-soft cotton pad
- Pre-soaked with aloe vera and coconut oil
- Removes wax, dirt, gunk, and debris from the outer ear and ear flap
- 100% happy cat guarantee, else returnable
- Keeps ears free from nasty odor
- Refer to vet before using
Full Ingredient List: Water, Disodium Coco-Glucoside, Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis(Aloe) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol.
Customer Review: Based on the 1,238 global ratings, this cat ear cleanser has an excellent rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Many customers found this ear cleanser easy to use for maintaining pet health.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Petpost Ultra Soft Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes in Coconut Oil Solution an overall 8/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (10/10): These Petpost Ultra Soft Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes in Coconut Oil Solution are highly suitable for cats, and dogs of all types of breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (8/10): This product has a combination of non-harmful chemicals and good materials.
- Cost Effectiveness (8/10): The Petpost Ultra Soft Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes in Coconut Oil Solution are affordable for their good quality product. Customers try this product, and their pet’s ears have been cleaned very well, and the smell was not abrasive at all.
- Customer Feedback (8/10): Most of our customers on amazon tried this product, and their pet’s ears have been clearing up just the same as the expensive stuff. Good smell, easy to use – this was a win for cleaning out their pet’s ears.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This Petpost Ultra Soft Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes in Coconut Oil Solution is cleaned and deodorized, with no debris.
- Product Variety (6/10): It only comes in one size with LUXURIOUSLY SOFT COTTON WIPES and one scent which is Coconut Oil Solution
Price: $8.29
Item Weight: 5.88 x 1.38 x 3.81 inches; 0.8 Ounce
Pet: Cats
Recommended Uses: Gentle dry ear with a cotton ball, soft cloth, or cotton swab. This product may be applied daily for 7 to 10 days. Repeat treatment in two weeks if necessary. If conditions for which this preparation is used persist or if irritation develops, discontinue use and consult a veterinarian.
Summary: This cat ear cleanser is especially for ear mites. The active ingredients include Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide in a small percentage, and other ingredients formulate the other 99.45%. Both Pyrethrin and Piperonyl are insecticides used to kill mites and lice. They are very low in toxicity and are safe to use for cats. The most common reaction in cats due to pyrethrin toxicity is excess salivation. If you notice such a reaction, stop the usage; otherwise, it is safe for cats.
Best for: Ear mites, wax removal
Features: Aloe vera, insecticidal, wax removal
- Contains 0.75 ounces of product and should be used in small quantity
- Contains aloe vera to soothe irritation
- Just 5 to 10 drops are enough in cats weighing above 15lbs
- Gives clear warning instructions on the package
- Also helpful in removing wax, dirt, and debris
- Not recommended for young kittens
Full Ingredient List: Pyrethrins 0.05%, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.50%, Other ingredients 99.45% (Butylcarbityl 6-propylpiperonyl ether and related compounds)
Customer Review: Based on the 3,108 global ratings, this cat ear cleanser has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Customers claim it works great for killing ear mites on the spot and maintaining cat health.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Four Paws Aloe Ear Mite Treatment for Cats an overall 8/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (6/10): These Four Paws Aloe Ear Mite Treatment for Cats are highly suitable for cats of all types of breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (8/10): Made from 100% natural aloe vera, It is a high quality product and is perfectly safe for cats.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The Four Paws Aloe Ear Mite Treatment for Cats is affordable for its good quality product.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): The majority of the customers’ feedback on Amazon is positive, and there are only a few negative reviews. They love the product It really works to kill the mites, and their pets slowly stopped scratching and felt better. When they got to the vet, he did not even need any medicine and had no redness.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This Four Paws Aloe Ear Mite Treatment for Cats is cleaned with no smell, and they stopped scratching after the first application.
- Product Variety (6/10): It only comes in one size; the cat mite ear cleaner contains 0.75 ounces.
Price: $9.77
Item Weight: 5.79 x 2.91 x 2.91 inches; 8.78 Ounces
Pet: Cats, Dogs
Recommended Uses: Gentle rub the accessible portion of the ear with a pad. Repeat with a clean pad until the pad is free of dirt. Use daily to maintain healthy ears. Safe for dogs and puppies over 6 weeks of age. For topical use within the ears.
Summary: The unique features of OPULA’s ear cleaner wipes are their texture and shape. The textured wipes help remove ear wax easily. The wipes measure 2.25 inches in diameter for better cleaning. One box contains 300 non-alcohol, non-antibiotic and non-fluorescent agent wipes. These wipes do everything from cleaning wax and preventing infection to relieving itching.
Best for: Wax, itching, odor, infection
Features: Non-irritating cotton swab
- 100% money back guarantee
- Textured cotton disposable wipes
- Affordable, veterinarian-formulated product
- Safe, easy, and effective to use in dogs & cats
- Comes with 300 cotton wipes
- Comparatively dry
Full Ingredient List: Ro Pure water aloe, Hexadecylpyridinium, Chloride Monohydrate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Benzalkonium chloride, Chlorphenesin, Citric acid/sodium citrate.
Customer Review: Based on the 286 global ratings, this cat ear cleanser has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Customers claim these ear wipes are very gentle and easy to use.
Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving OPULA Non-Irritating Hypoallergenic Ear Cleaner Wipes an overall 9/10-star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:
- Pet Suitability (10/10): These OPULA Non-Irritating Hypoallergenic Ear Cleaner Wipes are highly suitable for cats and dogs of all breeds and ages.
- Ingredient Quality (10/10): Made solely from 100% natural materials and contains non-harmful chemicals. Veterinarians are formulated to promote a normal immune response to allergies.
- Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The OPULA Non-Irritating Hypoallergenic Ear Cleaner Wipes are affordable for their good quality product. Well-formulated, the quality of the product is greatly in line with its price.
- Customer Feedback (10/10): Most customers’ feedback on Amazon is positive, and there are only a few negative reviews. They love the product, but some of these negative reviews include comments about their pets being somewhat afraid of the spray noise and could not get normal-size wipes.
- Care and Cleanability (9/10): This OPULA Non-Irritating Hypoallergenic Ear Cleaner wipe is cleaned with no smell. These have turned out to be the perfect answer to the build-up of dirt in the ears of pets
- Product Variety (6/10): It only comes in one size, which is 100 & XL 60 ct
What Should I Look for in a Cat Ear Cleaner?
Here are a few things you should consider while buying a cat ear cleaner:
- Purpose of Buying. When buying a cat ear cleaner, you should first know the ear issues you want it for. Once you know it well, look for similar ear cleaners that claim to solve the purpose. Most cat ear cleansers are versatile and reduce itching, odor, wax, dirt, debris, and infections. If you are looking for an ear mite cat cleanser, you would have to focus on those specifically.
- Ingredients. Look at the list of ingredients used in the car cat cleanser. To avoid allergic reactions, prefer cat cleansers made from natural ingredients like water glycerine, aloe vera, and coconut oil and include Vitamin E.
- Easy Application. You should choose between cat cleaning wipes and a cat cleanser solution, depending on your purpose. It is difficult to reach the interiors of an ear canal through wipes, but they are convenient for cleaning wax, dirt, and debris from the external ear. Cat cleaning solutions come with a pointed nozzle which makes application easier. You can use cleaning wipes after applying the cleanser solution for better clean-up.
How do I Use a Cat Ear Cleaner?
Here are the pet care steps you need to follow when using a cat ear cleaner:
- Step 1: Keep a cat ear cleanser solution and wipes/cotton balls ready (do not use q-tips as they can easily injure the eardrum)
- Step 2: Make your cat sit in your lap over a soft towel
- Step 3: Gently hold its ear and put a few drops of cat ear cleanser solution inside (as instructed by your cleaner’s manufacturer)
- Step 4: Massage the base of the ear for a while for the cleanser to start working
- Step 5: Allow your cat to play for a while. Head-shaking while playing will allow the solution to go deeper in the ear for better cleansing.
- Step 6: After 5 minutes or so, use cat cleanser wipes to wipe away the now easily removable dirt and wax off the cats’ ears.
