Ear and eye checks: a step-by-step lesson for cats

You'll need

• cotton balls or gauze pads
• feline ear cleaner
• warm washcloth
• empty dropper bottle for practice
• high-value treats

Why it matters

Routine ear and eye checks catch infections, waxy discharge, or irritations early. Ear flap lifting and mock eye drops make medical treatments quick and painless.

Before you start

Warm a washcloth with water for eye cleaning. Have soft cotton balls ready. Never use cotton swabs inside the ear canal.

Step by step

1. 1

   Clean eye area gently

   Wipe around the outside corners of your cat's eyes with a warm, damp washcloth to remove sleep and crusts, pairing each gentle wipe with a treat.

   Move on when: Accepts warm washcloth wipe around eyes without flinching, 4 of 5 times.

   Tip: Wiping gently around the eye area first soothes your cat and relaxes facial muscles.

2. 2

   Lift the ear flap

   Gently hold the tip of one ear flap with your thumb and finger and lift it slightly upward and back to inspect the clean pink canal. Click and reward.

   Move on when: Holds head still for 3-second ear flap lift, 4 of 5 trials.

   Tip: Pulling back slightly straightens the ear canal for easy viewing without discomfort.

3. 3

   Massage the ear base

   Place your fingers at the base of the ear just below the opening. Massage gently for a few seconds to simulate cleaner distribution, treating while your cat stays calm.

   Move on when: Allows 5 seconds of ear base massage without shaking, 4 of 5.

   Tip: A gentle massage below the canal helps cats accept the sensation of ear cleaner.

4. 4

   Wipe upper canal with cotton

   Wrap a cotton ball or gauze pad around your index finger and gently wipe the outer entrance of the canal, only going as deep as your finger naturally reaches.

   Move on when: Allows outer canal and flap cotton wipe, 3 sessions in a row.

   Tip: Only clean what you can easily see at the canal opening; never probe deeper.

5. 5

   Practice mock eye drops

   Hold a capped dropper bottle above your cat's head with tip pointed down. Rest your hand gently on the forehead, lift the upper eyelid slightly, and reward holding still.

   Move on when: Holds position with bottle near eye 3 seconds, 4 of 5 times.

   Tip: Resting your hand on the head keeps the bottle moving with your cat.

The cue

Say

“Check ears”

Hand signal

Two fingers lifted gently near the ear

If it isn't working

Shakes head vigorously at ear flap touch

Keep touch feather-light at the very tip for one second before rewarding; build tolerance slowly.

Ducks head when eye drop bottle approaches

Bring the bottle into view from behind and above the head, not straight in front.

Mastered when

Allows lifting both ear flaps and holds still for mock eye drop positioning for 3 seconds per eye, 4 out of 5 trials

Video check: Film inspecting both ears and positioning a mock dropper above one eye calmly without head dodging.

Variations

• Practice with actual feline ear cleaning flush, allowing your cat to shake its head after application.
• Practice resting head in a towel wrap while administering drops.

Teach this first

• Chin rest: a step-by-step lesson for cats →
• Gentle body handling: a step-by-step lesson for cats →

Learn next

• Pill and liquid medicine: a step-by-step lesson for cats →
• Vet exam prep: a step-by-step lesson for cats →