CAN YOU USE HUMAN EAR DROPS FOR CATS? (NO, AND HERE IS WHY)
Can you use human ear drops for cats? We might think that human ear drops are suitable for cats since they work on humans, but many products made for humans are not ideal for cats or dogs.
Human ear drops are not suited for cats. Chemicals used to treat humans often do not affect pets in the same way. Cats have their medications and ear drops made with elements and ingredients that benefit cats and for specific cats’ ear conditions. Vets should advise.
Here is all there is to know about human ear drops for cats.
CAN YOU USE HUMAN EAR DROPS FOR CATS?
A cat’s ears are one of the most essential parts of their bodies. As much as they might wash their ears, it’s important that you clean them as well to avoid ear infections. If your cat manages to contract a disease in their ears, can you use human ear drops for cats?
Human ear drops are not likely to harm your cat, but they also may not work to aid in healing their ear infections. Ear infections in cats can be caused by a few factors, many of which may not be adequately addressed with ear drops designed for human ears.
In order to reduce the chance of making your cat’s ear condition worse, it’s better to take your cat to the vet and get a proper diagnosis so your cat’s ears can be treated appropriately.
ARE HUMAN EAR DROPS BAD FOR CATS?
Some human ear drops could contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that could potentially irritate your cat. However, their ears are very sensitive and don’t need chemicals to keep them clean.
For example, here are the ingredients you can find in a type of ear drop for humans:
and here are the ingredients for cats’ ear drops:
As you can see, the elements in each one are different. Human ear drops are different and can have different chemicals. You have to read the labels to figure out what is in the product you want to give to your cat.
In the example above, the human ear drops have garlic as one of the ingredients. Garlic can be poisonous for cats. You are way safer if you use cat products for your little friend.
WHAT CAUSES EAR INFECTIONS IN CATS?
The most frequent cause of ear infections for cats is ear mites. Other causes can be debris in the ear or a buildup of wax or bacteria. More severe health conditions can result in an ear infection, but those aren’t very common.
Your vet can examine your cat’s ears appropriately to narrow down the cause of their discomfort. Using human ear drops may make things worse or do nothing. Leaving an ear infection untreated, no matter how minor, can cause permanent damage to your cat.
CAN I TREAT MY CAT’S EAR INFECTION MYSELF?
Treating your cat’s ear infections can be tough to manage, as it’s not the most comfortable experience for your kitty. During your vet visit, your vet will likely show you how to use the product prescribed in the most gentle manner for your cat.
Treatment might include drops, ointments, or other medication that will help eliminate the infection and reduce some of the physical symptoms associated with these infections. Just be sure that you give your kitty a treat and a gentle pet to praise them for tolerating the treatment.
Here are some ear drops for cats you might want to check out:
HOW TO PREVENT EAR INFECTIONS IN CATS
You should be examining and cleaning your cat’s ears on a regular basis. This can help prevent a large amount of factors associated with ear infections. However, if you’re scared to try cleaning your cat’s ears on your own, your vet would be more than willing to give you a tutorial.
You should always gently wipe out the ears with a wet cotton ball or gentle, unscented wipe, and do not go too deep into the ear canal or you could end up accidentally hurting your kitty.
There is no benefit to using human ear drops for cats. It can be costly to take your cat to the vet and purchase medication, but that’s your responsibility as a cat parent. Once their ear infection is treated, your kitty will be sure to thank you for taking care of them.
HOW TO GIVE EAR DROPS TO DIFFICULT CATS
Giving ear medications can be very challenging if you have a cat that doesn’t like to be touched and is not the cuddling type. If your cat is tough, then you might need to ask someone to help you.
Here are some useful tips:
- Place the cat on a raised and flat surface
- If your cat might scratch you, use a blanket to cover his body and paws
- Ask someone to help you out if your cat moves too much
- Once your cat is steady and not moving apply the drops
- Allow the cat to shake his head and let the drops work for a few mitutes
- Remove gently the excess debris
The vet or the ear drops have instructions on how to use them. In there, you can find additional suggestions on how to administer the ear drops to your cat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are there side effects to cats’ ear drops?
Some ear drops for cats can cause loss of earing, diarrhea, and lack of balance, and if ingested, can create the necessity of using the litter box more often.
Can I use dogs’ ear drops for cats?
Dogs’ ear drops are generally designed for dogs, although some commercial ear drops are simultaneously explicitly made for cats and dogs. Therefore, it is essential to read the labels to find out if the drops are suitable for cats too.
What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection in a Cat?
You could suspect that your cat has ear infections from the black or yellow discharge from the cat’s ears, the wax, buildup in the ears, foul odors coming from the ears, and black substances in the ear canals ( which indicate ear mites).
I have seen many pet parents administering human medicines to their furry babies, without realizing their side effects. Any human medicine or for that matter, any medicine should not be given to pets without a vet’s prescription.