How to Clean a Ferret's Ears

Ferrets get into all kinds of mischief. As they play and rough-house together, they get dirty both in their fur and in their ears. Normally they will clean themselves or each other. You can help them though by cleaning them with cotton and ear washing solution when you are giving them a bath.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mineral oil
• Cotton swabs
• Ear irrigation solution, similar to that used for cat ears

1. Pick up your ferret and hold it in a calm manner. Get it to calm down and cuddle into your lap. Take the ferret by the neck and turn its head to expose the ear. Use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of mineral oil to wipe the inside of the ferret's ear. Gently clean the surfaces and wipe away any wax that clings to the small ear hairs and surfaces. Ear mites are microscopic insects that live in the ears that can cause irritation and infection. The mineral oil will suffocate them.

2. Place a few drops of the ear irrigation solution in the ear and then rub the ear for half a minute or so and then let the ferret get up and rub its ear and shake its head. This is good because it will shake loose any free ear wax.

3. Turn the ferret over to the other side when it has stopped shaking its head. Clean and wash the other ear. If the ferret becomes unruly and doesn't want you touching its ear, take the ferret by the nape of the neck and hold it up like a mother would hold a baby.

4. Make cleaning a regular routine to maintain healthy ears and prevent infections. It can become part of your monthly or bi-monthly bath time. Make it a fun time for the ferret. Reward him with time out of his cage and playing together.