How to Clean a Ferret's Ears

According to some veterinarians, cleaning a ferret's ears is not an essential part of ferret care because they typically clean their own ears. However, for those of you who want a ferret with squeaky clean ears, follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid ear cleanser
• Small bowl or dish
• Cotton swabs

1. Pick a quiet and comfortable place before you begin cleaning your ferret's ears. You do not want anything to startle your ferret while you are cleaning his ears.

2. Pour a small amount of the liquid ear cleanser into a small dish. Place the cotton swabs next to it.

3. Firmly hold your ferret. If your ferret seems very apprehensive or is trying to get away, you may have to scruff your ferret. To do this, firmly grab the skin behind his neck and lift him up off the ground. This will not hurt him, but it will make him be still. You can support his bottom some, but the more support that is on his bottom, the more he may try to wiggle.

4. Use the hand you are holding your ferret with to grab the tip of his ear. This may be a stretch, but it can be done.

5. With your free hand, dip the cotton swab into the ear cleanser. Gently wipe the inside of your ferret's ear with the wet side of the swab, making sure that you get between all of the little crevices to remove the dirt and wax.

6. Repeat step six with clean cotton swabs until they come out of your ferret's ear clean.

7. Take the dry end of the cotton swab and gently rub the inside of his ear.

Tips & Warnings

• The ear cleanser can be bought at a pet store or from your vet. If it is safe for cats and kittens, it will be safe for your ferret.
• To avoid going too deep into the ear and risk injury to your ferret, make sure that you can always see the end of the cotton swab.

[ferretexpert]

on 4/10/2009 This works better if you have 2 people. {one scruffing, the other cleaning}