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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Image Product Details
Best Overall
Virbac Ear Cleaner for Cats
Simple application
Good for sensitive ears
Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
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Best Value
Zymox Cat Ear Cleaner
Powerful relief
No harmful chemicals
Easy to apply
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Premium Choice
Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment
Medicated for powerful relief
Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
Eliminated itching
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Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats
Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
Non-irritating formula
Prevents future infection
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PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats
Contains active antifungal ingredients
Calms inflammation
Inhibits the growth of bacteria
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The 10 Best Cat Ear Cleaners
The best overall cat ear cleaner is Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats. It’s 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.
Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Disodium Edta, Docusate Sodium
Easy to Use: Yes
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Pros
Simple application
Good for sensitive ears
Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
Cons
Product has a strong scent
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.
Simple application
Good for sensitive ears
Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
- Simple application
- Good for sensitive ears
- Helps remove stubborn debris in ears
Product has a strong scent
- Product has a strong scent
Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Glycerin, Coco-glucoside
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Powerful relief
No harmful chemicals
Easy to apply
Affordable
Cons
Leaves a strong odor behind
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.
Powerful relief
No harmful chemicals
Easy to apply
Affordable
- Powerful relief
- No harmful chemicals
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
Leaves a strong odor behind
- Leaves a strong odor behind
Size: 1.25-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrocortisone
Easy to Use: Somewhat
Pros
Medicated for powerful relief
Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
Eliminated itching
Cons
Expensive for a small bottle
- Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy for Cats & Dogs
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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’s 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.
Medicated for powerful relief
Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
Eliminated itching
- Medicated for powerful relief
- Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal
- Eliminated itching
Expensive for a small bottle
- Expensive for a small bottle
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Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Propylene Glycol, Glycerin
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
Non-irritating formula
Prevents future infection
Cons
Some pet parents don’t like the scent
- PetArmor Ear Rinse for Cats & Dogs
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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.
Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
Non-irritating formula
Prevents future infection
- Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the ear
- Non-irritating formula
- Prevents future infection
Some pet parents don’t like the scent
- Some pet parents don’t like the scent
Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Ketoconazole, Salicylic Acid
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Contains active antifungal ingredients
Calms inflammation
Inhibits the growth of bacteria
Cons
Can take up to 48 hours to work
Contains active antifungal ingredients
Calms inflammation
Inhibits the growth of bacteria
- Contains active antifungal ingredients
- Calms inflammation
- Inhibits the growth of bacteria
Can take up to 48 hours to work
- Can take up to 48 hours to work
- Frisco Cat Ear Cleaner
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Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Alcohol and Aloe Vera
Easy to Use: Yes
The Frisco Cat Ear Cleaner helps remove dirt, debris, and other irritants that may have built up in your cat’s ears. It lacks synthetic fragrances or dyes that can irritate your cat’s system. It doesn’t prevent bacterial or fungal infections but is instead designed to keep your cat’s ears from becoming an environment in which those irritants can breed.
Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Alcohol and Aloe Vera
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Easy to use
Aloe helps soothe sore ears
No synthetic fragrances
Cons
For use on cats only
Lack of fragrance allows alcohol scent to seep through
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.
Easy to use
Aloe helps soothe sore ears
No synthetic fragrances
- Easy to use
- Aloe helps soothe sore ears
- No synthetic fragrances
For use on cats only
Lack of fragrance allows alcohol scent to seep through
- For use on cats only
- Lack of fragrance allows alcohol scent to seep through
Size: 2-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Calendula Oil, Witch Hazel
Easy to Use: Somewhat
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
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.
Fights bacterial and fungal infection
Cleans ears effectively
Organic ingredients
- Fights bacterial and fungal infection
- Cleans ears effectively
- Organic ingredients
Must be wiped out of the ears after application
More expensive for a small bottle
- Must be wiped out of the ears after application
- More expensive for a small bottle
Size: 4 or 12-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Antibacterial and antifungal
Aloe helps soothe discomfort
Easy to use
Cons
A little pricey
Product has a strong scent
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.
Antibacterial and antifungal
Aloe helps soothe discomfort
Easy to use
- Antibacterial and antifungal
- Aloe helps soothe discomfort
- Easy to use
A little pricey
Product has a strong scent
- A little pricey
- Product has a strong scent
Size: 4-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Alcohol and Benzoic Acid
Easy to Use: Yes
Pros
Works quickly
Appropriate for yeast infections and bacteria
Helps prevent further infection
Cons
Has a strong smell
Doesn’t treat ear mites
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.
Works quickly
Appropriate for yeast infections and bacteria
Helps prevent further infection
- Works quickly
- Appropriate for yeast infections and bacteria
- Helps prevent further infection
Has a strong smell
Doesn’t treat ear mites
- Has a strong smell
- Doesn’t treat ear mites
Size: 8-ounce bottle
Main Ingredient: Decyl Glucoside
Easy to Use: Yes
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
You don’t need to rinse after use
Fast-acting
- You don’t need to rinse after use
- Fast-acting
Product gets a little foamy in cat’s ears
Has a strong odor
- Product gets a little foamy in cat’s ears
- Has a strong odor
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Ear Cleaner
It’s 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.
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?
- 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?
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:
- 10 Best Heated Cat House (for Indoors & Outdoors)
- 5 Best Glucose Meter for Cats
- 10 Best Cat Strollers
- 10 Best Dog Wipes
Featured Image Credit: NONGASIMO, Shutterstock
