Any tips for actually getting eardrops IN a cat's ear?

[Louise]

Leon has a fungal infection in his ears. The vet cleaned them out when he was under sedation getting his teeth cleaned and gave me some ear drops to put in them twice a day for five to seven days.

Truthfully, I think I’m getting more on me and on Leon than is actually getting into his ears. One place I read that the ears should be clipped, and the vet didn’t do that.

Leon is a good-sized (13.5 lbs), strong boy. Wrapping in a towel doesn’t seem to be to effective because he struggles so hard the minute I try to wrap him that I don’t think I’m getting a good wrap. Plus, he is pinning those ears down so hard that I need two hands, one to hold the ear up and the other to put the drops in.

There’s got to be a better way to do this.

[EqTrainer]

Wrap tighter you have to be a bit ruthless. If wrapped well, you should be able to just plunk him down on your lap and do what you need to do. Can’t guarantee he will like you afterwards tho’!

[_Teddy]

Use tye force to master cat wrestling! Its hard at first but you learn

[_Teddy]

And dont be afraid to use your body and pin him down

[Puglet]

I have used a tiny syringe with success. I practiced drawing 2 drops into it. Worked really well for me and my kitty!

[jetsmom]

Warm the eardrops by holding bottle under warm running water while you swirl the bottle. Cold eardrops are painful, and will make cat fight you even harder next time. If you can get teh eardrops to be at the same temp as the cat, they won’t even feel them going in.

Agree with wrapping kitty tightly. Or if you have a small duffle bag/ soft carry on bag, you can drop in that and zipper shut so head sticks out (but not tight on neck). Cat can try to struggle, but can’t scratch, and you can hold bag betwen knees and do it then.
Or Drop cat rear end first, into a pillow case. Allow just the head to stick out. Wrap towel around pillow case.

[Horsegal984]

Or ask vet for Zymox, Momentamax, or another once a day drop. cats are smart and a pain when it comes to medicationg, so only having to do it once a day might help as well.

[BarbB]

I hate wrestling with a cat, they hold a grudge and get more and more difficult. I use the old style get a hold of them by the scruff of the neck. Lift them so they are light on their feet, you don’t have to lift them in the air. And administer the drops quickly with one hand. They are immobilized by holding them there, but not 100% so there is no time to play around. My cats do not hold a grudge for this or run the next time they see me with medication. Once they have groomed their mussed fur all is forgotten. Wrapping them in a towel will have them hissing at me long after. And if I have the meds ready for a one handed application - this takes about 10 seconds.

[Equibrit]

I used to kneel down with my butt on my heels, and put the cat between my thighs, grab his ear and stick the stuff in. Sort of like sitting on him.

[Louise]

I admit it, I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to giving medicine to a cat. I’m so afraid I’m going to break them. It says to keep this stuff refrigerated and I was wondering if I should be warming it. I like the pillowcase idea. He goes back to the vet tomorrow for a follow up on his tooth extraction, and, if I still am having trouble, I’ll ask for one of those other products.

I also like the butt on knees approach but, with my arthritic knees, I’m not sure I could get back up again. Of course, then I’d already be in position for the next time.

[AllWeatherGal]

World of difference between room temperature and cold drops. My guy doesn’t even notice the warm temp whereas the cold ones he made sure hurt ME to give.

It also helps to have a second pair of hands if you can’t make the pillowcase (followed by a thick towel if your cat is inclined to claw) work.

Good luck!

[Louise]

Warmed drops worked MUCH better. That and a little more courage on my part. Thanks, everyone!