Ear infections are every cat owner’s nightmare. Watching your cat endlessly itch red and inflamed ear flaps is not easy, neither are the vet visits nor administering medications.
This is when paying attention to your cat’s ears and investing time in preventive care can really pay off. Cleaning regularly, routine inspections, and preventing ear conditions by taking precautionary measures are all part of maintaining good ear health.
This article will go into detail about how you can take care of your Maine Coon’s ears, alongside discussing common ear conditions and various preventive measures.
Contents
Common Ear Problems in Coon Breads
Although Maine Coons aren’t genetically predisposed to ear issues, they can certainly catch infections and parasites. Some common problems include:
1. Ear mites
If you see brown, coffee-like grounds inside your cat’s ear flaps, it’s likely what is known as ear mites – one of the most common ear issues in cats. These are tiny parasites that spread from one animal or contaminated surface to another, and they usually infest a cat’s ears, especially if it goes outdoors.
The condition causes severe itching and sometimes redness inside the ear flap, but the treatment plan is usually easy and quick.
2. Infections
Bacterial or yeast infections in the ears are caused by many various factors – build-up of wax, allergies, polyps, debris such as dirt particles, diabetes, and so on. They can cause a lot of pain, swelling, and redness, and finding the cause can often prove tricky for vets.
While infections of the outer ear canal aren’t that serious, the middle and inner ear can develop them too, and will require injectable antibiotics and strong pain medications.
3. Polyps
Small, non-cancerous nodules called polyps can often grow inside your cat’s ear canal. They’re painful and can make your cat disoriented, repeatedly shake their head, and vigorously scratch the ears.
There’s no distinct cause for these growths, except that cats with ear infections and inflammation may be more susceptible to them. Surgical removal and sometimes medication are used as treatment plans for polyps.
4. Allergies
Irritants in the environment such as pollen or food allergies can result in itchy and red ear flaps, often leading to infections too. It’s not as common in cats, but it does happen.
Symptoms of Ear Problems in Cats
See a vet as soon as possible if you notice the following symptoms in your Maine Coon:
- Redness and/or swelling inside the ears
- Brown grits in the ear flap
- Pus or discharge of any sort
- Odor from the ear
- Head-tilt
- Repeatedly scratching the ears
- Head-shaking
- Disorientation
- Refusing to eat
The problem could be something simple to treat like ear mites or a serious middle or outer ear infection. The point? Don’t ignore any symptoms – your cat could be in a lot of pain.
Cleaning Your Maine Coon’s Ears
An important part of maintaining good ear health is cleaning out your feline’s ears. Note that this may not be the case for every cat – some need it every 7-10 days, while others don’t need it at all. But even so, it’s a good idea to clean out the ears once in a while.
Before doing anything, take a good look inside your cat’s ear and decide if they need to be cleaned. If you notice wax build-up, dirt and debris, and general stickiness, you’ll likely have to clean it. Not cleaning such ears could give way to infections, as bacteria thrive in warm and humid places.
There are times, though, when you shouldn’t clean them yourselves. If you notice:
- Ear mites
- Foul odor
- Discharge of any sort
see a vet as soon as possible, and don’t attempt to clean the ear. Your vet will prescribe specific rinses depending on the issue, and show you one-on-one how to treat possibly infected ears.
If they seem clean, there’s no need to do anything – overcleaning the ears can cause irritation and do more harm than good.
7 Steps to Cleaning Your Maine Coon’s Ears
1. Gather the following things to clean your cat’s ears:
- Cotton pads
- Vet-recommended ear cleanser
- Towel
- Treats
2. Start by wrapping your Maine Coon in a towel – most cats hate getting their ears cleaned, and this can help hold them in place while keeping them calm. You might want to ask someone to help you with this and hold your cat as you clean the ears.
3. Next, pull back the ear flap to expose the ear canal. Drop around 5-10 drops of a cat-safe ear cleanser inside the ear canal without letting the bottle touch the inside of the ears.
4. Rub the base of the ears by slightly pinching it together so both sides rub against each other. This will allow the liquid to distribute evenly throughout the ear flap. At this point, your cat will be striving to shake its head. Go ahead and let it do so – it’ll help any loose debris fall out into the outer part of the ear.
5. Now, roll a cotton pad around your finger and gently wipe the outer ear or the flap area. Wipe outwards, and do not let your finger go inside the ear canal. Otherwise, you’ll push in the dirt and wax deeper. Make sure you get into the crevices and really get that gunk out.
6. You might have to repeat this process if the ear is really dirty or until the cotton pads come out clean. Remember to use a new, clean pad for the other ear.
7. Lastly, offer treats and lots of petting so your cat isn’t fussy next time. This will prove useful if your vet has recommended routine cleaning for your cat’s ears.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Cat Ears
- Never use a Q-tip or anything pointy – it can push wax and debris too far in, or worse, go in deep and rupture the eardrum.
- Don’t use ear cleansers with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol in them. Ask your vet to recommend one instead. The same goes for home remedies such as vinegar – they can cause irritation throughout the sensitive ear canal.
- This goes without saying, but make sure your finger doesn’t go in too deep or enter the ear canal.
- Don’t squeeze the liquid out of the bottle too hard as this can happen with many ear cleansers. The pressure might damage your cat’s eardrum. If it helps, you can take out the liquid in a clean container before dropping it gently into the ears.
Preventing Ear Problems in Big Maine Feline
Part of preventing ear problems includes regular ear cleaning and keeping an eye out for symptoms of ear conditions. But sometimes, these infections can be recurring despite your precautions, which is when you’ll have to take a more holistic approach to taking care of your Maine Coon’s ears.
1. Addressing Food Sensitivities
Ear infections in cats can develop as a result of food sensitivities, as both things are interconnected. Cats can develop allergies to protein like turkey, beef, fish, and dairy, which results in the gut’s inability to properly digest it.
This triggers the immune system and over-stimulates it, causing infections everywhere, including the ears. Not all cats have clear symptoms of food allergies, which is why it’s often hard to diagnose, and your cat keeps suffering through recurrent ear infections.
The solution? Eliminating the source of allergy. You’ll have to run diet trials with your vet’s help to find which protein is triggering your cat’s gut. Once that’s done, your vet might prescribe a diet that’s checked for cross-contamination so your cat can remain allergy and infection-free.
2. Managing Stress in Cats
Studies have found that stress also plays a major role in recurrent infections. It seems that it can weaken the intestinal barrier and cause inflammation throughout the body, and this can manifest as ear infections that seem to have no apparent cause.
If your cat is going through repeated ear problems, it’s time to find out what might be stressing out your cat. This can be anything from a barren, under-stimulating environment to conflicts with other cats in your household, and you’ll have to work out strategies to reduce the trigger.
3. Restrict Outdoor Ventures
Outdoor cats are significantly more susceptible to ear mites, fungal infections, and allergies. They interact with other animals, walk through germ-infested areas, and expose themselves to environmental allergens. All of this increases the chance of ear issues.
Try to confine your cat indoors, or limit their access to the outdoors at least. An alternative solution could be to build a cat patio for your cat to experience the outdoor environment without risking its health.
4. Perform Routine Inspections
Make it a part of your routine to check your cat’s ears every other day or so. Look for signs of redness or discharge, and try observing your cat every day to see if they’re itchy in the ears or behaving unusually.
Infections and other diseases creep in suddenly and unexpectedly, and cats aren’t great at communicating their pain. Keeping an eye out is the only way to ensure you intervene at the right time.
5. Focus on Nutrition
Cats that receive a balanced and complete diet don’t catch infections as quickly, so it’s a good idea to start focusing on what you’re feeding your cat to build its strength from within.
Does your cat food have all the essential nutrients and antioxidants needed for a strong immune system, such as vitamins A, E, and C? Is it high in protein and not just full of filler ingredients?
If you’re unsure, consult your vet about what might be the best diet for your cat. They might also suggest supplements that promote gut health and a strong immune system.
Final Thoughts
Taking good care of your Maine Coon’s ears requires proactive steps from cat owners. Regularly cleaning, checking, and taking precautions are the basics of preventive care. This helps catch potential problems early, like ear mites, infections, polyps, and allergies. Acting quickly, guided by knowing common symptoms, ensures your cat gets timely vet care, promoting their well-being.
A holistic approach involves addressing food sensitivities, managing stress, keeping outdoor time in check, and focusing on good nutrition. Making regular checks a habit helps spot subtle changes, letting cat owners contribute to the long-term health of their Maine Coons. If you notice issues in different areas, it’s a warning sign. This means immediate attention is needed, reinforcing your commitment to your cat’s lasting health and well-being.
