An ear infection is never fun for your cat to experience While it is important to receive veterinary care, mother nature provides us with some natural remedies that can help manage symptoms or even alleviate arthritis without having to leave your home. The following article aims to educate cat owners on natural remedies that exist in the field and are proven to be effective, for a variety of health-related issues.
What You Should Know About Cat Ear Infections
Causes of Cat Ear Infections
Ear infections in cats are usually due to: Yeast and Bacteria Your vagina loves moisture, but yeast (a kind of fungus) and bacteria normally reside there too.
Mites: mites are microscopic parasites that can cause intense itching and discomfort.
Allergies — Food or environmental allergies are known to contribute to ear infections.
Insect Stuck in Ear: Some insects get stuck at the ear canal causing irritation and infection.
Pre-Existing Medical Problems: Diabetes or immune-related conditions may predispose cats to infection.
Symptoms to Look For
Identifying an ear infection early and seeking treatment prevents complications from forming. Look for these symptoms:
Scratching and Pawing at the ears: Constant scratching is a strong indication that your pet may be uncomfortable.
Head Shaking: One of the most common signs is that they have an irritable ear that creates a lot of head shaking.
Smell Simply put, an odor coming from the ears that smells bad means it is likely an infection.
Leak: Yellow/brown/black discolored discharge.
Redness and Swelling: The ear canal is inflamed.
Balance: Major infections can cause poor stability in a cat.
Home Cure for Cats with Ear Infections
Cleaning the Ears
Aids in management of ear infections: It is important that your dogs ears get cleaned regularly. Gentle natural ear cleaner, safe for cats. 1 Cleaning Solution that you can make in your home
Home Made Ear Cleaner
Ingredients:
1 part water
1 part apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Combine the water and apple cider vinegar.
Dip a cotton ball into the solution.
Using a cloth, slightly wipe the inside of the ear but avoid deep lining to the canal
Herbal Remedies
Some herbs have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that fight ear infections.
Calendula
Calendula is a good healer and soother. Calendula tea For an ear rinse
Instructions:
Can be brewed by adding one teaspoon of dried calendula flowers in 1 cup boiling water.
Let it cool completely.
Drip a few drops spponf of them into the sore ear using a dropper.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial and can be used to help relieve ear infection symptoms.
Instructions:
Heat coconut oil just until it is liquid.
Put few drops with the help of dropper in the ear having a problem.
Rub the base of the ear gently to help oil expand into it.
Dietary Adjustments
It brings up a point that is brought up time and time again in this book: a healthy diet can support the immune function which then helps combat infection. Compensate by Making Diet Adjustments:
Fish Oil: Reduces inflammation due to its omega 3 fatty acids.
Probiotics: Nutrition and Health for Your Microbiome — Four U Coffee
Hypoallergenic Diets – If your dog may have allergies, a hypoallergic diet can reduce infections in the ear.
Essential Oils
Be careful about using essential oil — cats are delicate creatures! Remedy: Always use diluted essential oils and consult a veterinarian before using them.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil — anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
Instructions:
Combine the lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut at 1 drop of lavender to every 50 drops of carrier.
Dab a small quantity on to the dog’s outer ear.
Prevention Tips
It is much harder to treat an ear infection than it is to prevent one. Read on for tips to keep your cat´s ears healthy:
You will have to clean your cat ears regularly with an over the counter ear cleaner.
Identify and Address Allergies: Food or environmental allergies can also increase the risk of SIBO.
The Controversy Grooming: Regular grooming can help prevent foreign objects from getting in the ears.
Eat a balanced diet and make sure you get all the vitamins for healthy well-being.
When to See a Veterinarian
Natural remedies can be of help, but they are not a substitute for veterinary care. If your cats symptoms do not improve or worsen veterinary care should be pursued. Indications for refreshed hospitalization include:
Severe Pain: If your cat is clearly in a significant amount of pain or distress.
When to Call for Persistent Symptoms: If symptoms do not get better after a few days of home treatment.
Bloody Discharge — Blood in the ear discharge Hearing loss (loss of balance or hearing imbalance, dramatic)
Conclusion
If ear infections develop at home with your cat, natural treatments can be effective and safe if applied appropriately. A healthy diet acts as a preventative but, using doterra’s top 10 essential oils for cleaning your ears and changing your life can be the difference in how you clean/minimize dark ear wax build-up. Still, be sure to watch your cat and contact a vet if his symptoms persist. Taking care of your cat in this common health problem is also very possible.
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