Our cat has ear mites and she's being very difficult about letting us administer her medicine. Any advise?

Question

We're using an eye-dropper and olive oil. The poor girl panics and not much of it is actually getting into her ears.

First, many thanks for the great advise so far!

I should mention that she had kittens a few days ago and we don't feel comfortable giving her medications with warnings as long as my arm and histories of toxic reactions in cats, let alone kittens.

Olive oil is a proven cure for ear mites and does no harm to the cat (or dog, where I've had my experience with it). It effectively suffocates them. Three times a week for three weeks and the mites are gone. Most are gone long before that, but the treatment needs to continue in order to get the hatching eggs.

As has been mentioned, baby oil also does the job, but long story short, it will prevent the proper metabolism of certain vitamins, which I really don't want to do, especially with her nursing.

Oh, and sashaaspen, yes it does sound crazy, but I do that, too. :)

Answer 1

take a bath towel and wrap it wround her with her head sticking out and put the drops in her ear you may also try sweet oil.Also I know this sounds crazy but explain to her what is happening and why and ask her to stay calm it might help

Answer 2

Why are you putting olive oil in your cats ear!! They is not going to cure anything. Go to the vet for some proper ear medication! As far as administering it...wrap her in a towel so only her head is sticking out and put the meds in her ear. Make sure and rub it in as when the drops trickle down the ear...this reals tickly to the cat and they will want to scratch at their ears and get all squirmy. Kind of massage the ear so the meds work their way down into the canal. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Hold the cat firmly and wrap it in a towel if possible. Press one side of the head against your chest. insert drops.Switch sides. Ear mite medication is more effective than olive oil. It's cheap.Good luck and be firm. Have a great day.This is a two person job.

Answer 4

Go the the vet and ask for REVOLUTION FOR CATS. It kills earmites as well as fleas. Also olive oil will not kill earmites. Get an approved medicine and relax your cat by petting its face and ears for awhile then gently put a drop of the medicine in the ear canal rubbing gently after. repeat. Hope this helps, it worked on BoKitty!! Don't restrain your cat as mentioned by above adice. It will traumatize her and you will never be able to treat her for anything without her panicing. Patience and gentleness please.

Answer 5

Cats mostly hate having anything done to her, try your best not to stress her out too much, treat her firmly but gently. If she likes sardines (or another type of treat) you can try giving her some after the medicine and after a few times when she knows there's sardines coming she may behave better.

Answer 6

baby oil and a 'q' tip works wonders...put on tip then clean ears very very carefully...never insert into ear canal. (less trauma
than a liquid being poured in the ear) make it a 2 person operation. hold on firmly and tell Missy what a good girl she is etc. while administering.

Answer 7

Put her legs in a pillow case with her head sticking out of course, and wrap the pillow case around her legs

Answer 8

pin it down try not to put all ur weight on it but pin it so it wont bite you or scratch you and have sone one drop it in its ear for you the more asertive you are the easier that cat takes it

Answer 9

I'm giving meds to my cat (by mouth ) i had to ask vet best way to do this thats what thye are there for call & ask