Your pet’s eyes and ears are their windows to the world. Just like the windows of your car that they love to hang out of, their eyes & ears require routine maintenance. Pet owners should be aware of the basics of ear & eye care practices as well as become aware of their pet's individual needs. Once you understand the essentials of ear & eye care, it will become easier to determine if and how often your pet will need ear & eye care. 

Eye Care: The Essentials

Normal, healthy eyes should appear clear, and free of discharge. The eyes normally don’t require much upkeep, however owners of pets with light or white colored fur may notice browning or “staining” under the eyes. This can easily be removed with an eye-whitening wipe or tear stain remover that is formulated for dogs & cats & is safe to use on the face.

Begin by clearing debris around & beneath the eye with a warm, wet washcloth. If the discharge is not clear, please visit your pet to determine the cause, but please know that discharge from the eye is quite normal. It is your pet's way of keeping their eyes clear of debris, & it could also be related to a seasonal allergy.  Be careful not to harm your pet by cleaning their eyes more often than advised by your vet or the product label.

Ear Care: The Essentials 

The ears require a bit more work, and regular cleaning for both dogs and cats can help prevent infection, deal with allergies, and stop mites in their tracks. Ear cleaning frequency depends on your pet’s individual traits, so these cleanings may be necessary on a weekly or possibly even monthly basis. 

To clean the ears, simply look at your pet’s ears and note any areas that may appear dirty, smelly or have discharge. You should be able to see down into the ear canal when your pet's ear is gently moved aside. 

Only apply ear cleansers that have been approved by the FDA to be used on pets. apply this solution directly into the ear and then lightly massage the solution to improve performance and allow the solution to take effect. You can also use a washcloth or cotton swab. Be sure to only use a washcloth or cotton swabs to clean out the ear as Q-tips or other objects may break off or damage the eardrum. 

When do I need to see my vet?

Signs of trouble in the eye department include discharge that is yellow or greenish in color (indicating a possible infection), cloudy, or red. Eyes that have had trauma may also have blood or visible cuts and scratches on them. As the eye is very sensitive, it is best to have a vet take a look and provide a pet-safe ointment to use rather than attempting to care for the eye yourself. Please DO NOT use products that were formulated for human ear care.

Signs of trouble in the ears include ears that need to be cleaned very frequently, very smelly ears, or visible black or brown discharge. In severe cases, your pet may begin to shake their head, scratch at their ears or even exhibit pain when the ears are touched. These all indicate that a veterinary exam may be needed. Your vet can then test the ear for mites or infection, and provide a medication to apply to the ears, usually for a period of 7-10 days along with cleaning.

Routine care, regular self-examination of the eyes and ears, and taking your pet to the vet when problems begin is key to helping keep your pet healthy. Bright eyes and shining ears are key to a happy pet!

With Love,

Mr. Bentley & Ms. Bella

About our Writers

Pet Wish Pros is proud to have Bentley and Bella contributing to our pet health blog. For many years, Bentley has been passionate about improving and learning from the lives and experiences of homeless pets in the greater Atlanta area. Bella is usually busy discovering new pet health products and medications. In her free time, Bella enjoys working on her horse farm. Both Bentley and Bella are devoted to animal health & their experience allows them to keep you informed while saving YOU money! 

Follow Bentley and Bella’s weekly blog updates and stay current with the latest trends in pet health. Please send your questions to  help@petwishpros.com.