Brushing and, if necessary, bathing are part of dog and cat hygiene. But these aren't the only hygiene practices to perform when caring for our furry friends. Indeed, their eyes and ears also deserve our full attention!
Taking care of your cat's and dog's ears: a necessity
The ear canal of cats and dogs has a specific L-shaped, angled design. This shape presents two disadvantages:
- Earwax tends to accumulate and cannot come out;
- The ear canal is poorly ventilated.
All of this promotes the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, which can cause infections and ear infections.
It is therefore necessary to carefully monitor the condition of your four-legged companion's ears.
For most cats, and for dogs with erect ears, the ears naturally remain clean. However, for some cats, and for dogs with floppy ears, regular ear cleaning is necessary. Long, floppy ears further promote maceration, thus increasing the risk of infection and recurring ear infections.
Cleaning your dog or cat's ears: the right way to do it
To make things easier for you, we advise you to get your dog or cat used to having their ears cleaned from a young age. We also recommend continuing this hygiene routine for both dogs and cats fairly regularly once your pet is an adult. This way, they will be accustomed to having their ears handled. If your pet doesn't have any ear problems, a monthly cleaning is sufficient.
On the other hand, if your cat is prone to earwax buildup, or if your dog has long ears, remember to check and clean their ears at least once a week.
Use a lotion or spray specifically formulated for cleaning dogs' and cats' ears, and a cotton ball. Never use cotton swabs, as this will only push the dirt deeper into the ear canal. Use a fresh cotton ball for each ear.
If, while cleaning your dog or cat's ears, you notice anything unusual, pain, or a foul odor, consult your veterinarian to check for infection.
Why is it necessary to take care of your dog's or cat's eyes?
It's possible for your pet to have eye discharge. In light-colored dogs and cats, this discharge can stain the fur under the eye. This brown discoloration is due to the oxidation of bacteria present in the tears and is therefore perfectly normal.
To avoid this, the best thing to do is to clean your faithful companion's eyes regularly.
Certain breeds of dogs and cats, particularly those with flat faces (brachycephalic), are prone to eye discharge. Repeated discharge can make them susceptible to eye infections. Therefore, it's essential to clean their eyes meticulously at least every two days, or even daily for these furry friends. This will help prevent eye conditions such as conjunctivitis.
How to clean your pet's eyes?
To clean your pet's eyes, use saline solution or an eye lotion formulated for dogs or cats, and a compress. We advise against using cotton balls, which can leave fibers on the eye and cause irritation. We also advise against using wipes, as they are not very environmentally friendly.
Instead, use non-woven compresses, and use a fresh compress for each eye.
Cleaning your pet's eyes is a routine if you've accustomed them to this hygiene practice from their first few months. Indeed, it's important to get your puppy or kitten used to being handled so that the cleaning process doesn't cause any problems.
If you notice that your dog or cat has thick, colored eye discharge, or if the eye area appears swollen, consult your veterinarian. It is important not to leave an eye infection untreated.
Now you know why you need to take care of your pet's ears and eyes. Get them used to these hygiene routines from a young age so they'll cooperate easily. Daily hygiene for dogs and cats is essential for monitoring your four-legged friend's health.
