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Home > Cats > 9 Best Cat Ear Cleaners in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

9 Best Cat Ear Cleaners in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

cat's ear is being cleaned with ear cleaner wipes

You hate to see your furry friend in pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, itchy ears are a common problem for cats due to things like ear mites, blood blisters, and ear infections. And, if your cats are like ours, they probably don’t love having their ears cleaned, even though it will provide them with relief.

Cat ear cleaners are a convenient way to clean your cat’s ears with minimal fuss. In our reviews of the 10 best ear cleaners for cats, you’ll find the highest quality, effective, and easy-to-use products. After they finish being angry with you for disturbing them, your cats will thank you for the relief brought by clean ears.

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A Look at Our Favorites – 2024 Update

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Virbac Ear Cleaner for Cats Virbac Ear Cleaner for Cats
  • Simple application
  • Good for sensitive ears
  • Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Zymox Cat Ear Cleaner Zymox Cat Ear Cleaner
  • Powerful relief
  • No harmful chemicals
  • Easy to apply
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment
  • Medicated for powerful relief
  • Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
  • Eliminated itching
  • Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats
  • Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
  • Non-irritating formula
  • Prevents future infection
  • PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats
  • Contains active antifungal ingredients
  • Calms inflammation
  • Inhibits the growth of bacteria
  • The 9 Best Cat Ear Cleaners

    1. Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner for Cats – Best Overall

    Virbac EPIOTIC Advanced Ear Cleanser

    Size: 4-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Disodium Edta, Docusate Sodium
    Easy to Use: Yes

    The best overall cat ear cleaner is Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats. It is appropriate for use on both cats and dogs. A few drops will clean and dry the ear to eliminate pesky irritants. It will also prevent future infections by working against microbial attachments. The product eliminates odors in your pet’s ear canal, although it does have a fairly strong odor of its own.

    Pros
    • Simple application
    • Good for sensitive ears
    • Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
    Cons
    • Product has a strong scent

    2. Zymox Veterinary Strength Cat Ear Cleaner – Best Value

    ZYMOX Ear Cleanser

    Size: 4-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Glycerin, Coco-glucoside
    Easy to Use: Yes

    The best cat ear cleaner for the money is Zymox Veterinary Strength Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner. This product is powerful and affordable. It uses natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals, although some pet parents don’t like the scent of the product. This cleanser helps eliminate and prevent bacteria from gathering in the ear canal for relief of itchy and irritated ears.

    Pros
    • Powerful relief
    • No harmful chemicals
    • Easy to apply
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Leaves a strong odor behind

    3. Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone – Premium Choice

    Zymox Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment

    Size: 1.25-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrocortisone
    Easy to Use: Somewhat

    When your pet is uncomfortable, you want to do anything you can to help them feel better. Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone will give you the tool you need to ease the pain in their ears. A few drops wiped around the ear canal are all you have to do. The product works quickly and effectively eliminates viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. You do pay a premium for the relief it provides, but the product works.

    Pros
    • Medicated for powerful relief
    • Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
    • Eliminated itching
    Cons
    • Expensive for a small bottle

    4. Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats & Dogs

    Dr. Gold's Ear Therapy for Dogs & Cats

    Size: 4-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Propylene Glycol, Glycerin
    Easy to Use: Yes

    Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats & Dogs can be used on both cats and dogs. It is alcohol-free so it won’t dry out your cat’s ears and invoke further irritation. It helps to clean and disinfect the ear canal which eliminates unpleasant odors caused by infections. This product does have a somewhat strong scent of its own which may not be pleasing to some pet parents.

    Pros
    • Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
    • Non-irritating formula
    • Prevents future infection
    Cons
    • Some pet parents don’t like the scent

    5. PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats & Dogs

    PetArmor Ear Rinse for Dogs & Cats

    Size: 4-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Ketoconazole, Salicylic Acid
    Easy to Use: Yes

    This product is a powerful and effective cleaner. It prevents the growth of irritating bacteria and fungus that causes itching and redness in your cat’s ears. You can use PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats & Dogs on both cats and dogs so there’s no need to purchase two different products for your pets. It does take up to 48 hours to work so it won’t provide instant relief.

    Pros
    • Contains active antifungal ingredients
    • Calms inflammation
    • Inhibits the growth of bacteria
    Cons
    • Can take up to 48 hours to work

    6. Pawtitas Organic Cat & Dog Ear Cleaner

    Pawtitas Organic Ear Dog & Cat Cleaner

    Size: 2-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Calendula Oil, Witch Hazel
    Easy to Use: Somewhat

    If you’re looking for an organic product to keep your cat’s ears in tip-top shape, then Pawtitas Organic Cat & Dog Ear Cleaner might be a good choice for you. This product uses natural ingredients to fight painful, itchy ears caused by fungal or bacterial infections. Pet parents should be aware that they’ll need to hold their pet still for 30 seconds per ear and then wipe the remaining product out of the ear. This may not be the best option for antsy pets.

    Pros
    • Fights bacterial and fungal infection
    • Cleans ears effectively
    • Organic ingredients
    Cons
    • Must be wiped out of the ears after application
    • More expensive for a small bottle

    7pm . Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner

    VETNIQUE LABS Oticbliss Medicated Ear Flush

    Size: 4 or 12-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole
    Easy to Use: Yes

    The Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Ear Flush Cleaner works quickly to give your cat relief from both bacterial and fungal ear infections. All you have to do is apply the drops and let them work. These drops also contain aloe vera which helps soothe irritated skin. Although some pet parents may prefer a product with less fragrance, this cleanser does help eliminate unpleasant odors.

    Pros
    • Antibacterial and antifungal
    • Aloe helps soothe discomfort
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • A little pricey
    • Product has a strong scent

    8. Tomlyn Veterinarian Formulated Cat & Dog Ear Cleaner

    Tomlyn Veterinarian Formulated Dog & Cat Ear Cleaner

    Size: 4-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Alcohol and Benzoic Acid
    Easy to Use: Yes

    The Tomlyn Veterinarian Formulated Cat & Dog Ear Cleaner was developed by veterinarians. It is a great choice for keeping bacterial and yeast infections at bay. It does not treat ear mites, however, so you’ll need to know the source of your cat’s ear discomfort before selecting a treatment product. For bacterial and yeast infections, this product provides nearly instant relief from itching and pain.

    Pros
    • Works quickly
    • Appropriate for yeast infections and bacteria
    • Helps prevent further infection
    Cons
    • Has a strong smell
    • Doesn’t treat ear mites

    9. Oxyfresh Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner

    Oxyfresh Advanced Pet Ear Cleaner

    Size: 8-ounce bottle
    Main Ingredient: Decyl Glucoside
    Easy to Use: Yes

    The Oxyfresh Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner is a great choice for the pet owner who has multiple pets. The large-sized bottle will last for quite a while and is easy to apply. You simply need to allow the drops to fall into your pet’s ears and wipe away any excess. The product performs its magic quickly for fast-acting relief. Some pets can get a little spooked by the foaming action of this product.

    Pros
    • You don’t need to rinse after use
    • Fast-acting
    Cons
    • Product gets a little foamy in cat’s ears
    • Has a strong odor

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Ear Cleaner

    It is no secret that pet parents worry about their fur baby’s comfort. No one wants to watch their cat or dog scratching away at irritated ears. When you select the right ear cleaner for your cat, there are a few considerations, including:

    • How difficult is the product to apply?
    • Does the cleanser have a scent you find unpleasant?
    • What is the problem you need to address (fungal, bacterial, ear mites)?
    • Do you plan to use the product for just cats or for your dog too?
    • How often do you think you’ll need to use the cleaner?
    • Does your cat have a sensitivity to any ingredients in the product?

    Before purchasing any of these top products, you should discuss your cat’s ear health with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to identify the source of the ear irritation and give you advice on the correct type of ear cleaner for your needs.

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    Conclusion

    When your cat needs ear relief quickly, an ear cleaner can do the trick. For our pick for the best overall cat ear cleaner, you can’t go wrong with Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner. Our pick for shoppers on a budget is Zymox Veterinary Strength Cat and Dog Ear Cleaner. Now that you’ve read our reviews, you’re ready to find the best relief for your cat’s ears.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: NONGASIMO, Shutterstock

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