How To Clean Guinea Pig Ears In 3 Easy Steps

Wondering how to clean guinea pig ears? Keeping your cavies’ ears clean is a requirement that every guinea pig owner should do, and, truth be told, it is a very easy thing to do!

Mainly, this process involves three main steps that aren’t difficult to follow.

 

In this article, we are going to discuss some methods on how to clean your guinea pig ears. These steps include gathering the cleaning materials, positioning the guinea pig, and proper ear cleaning. 

You may think guinea pig positioning is not important but the truth is, for successful and pain-free cleaning, you should know how to hold a Guinea pig.

Keep on reading to learn more tips and notes!

Why Should You Clean Guinea Pig Ears?

Commonly, guinea pig ears aren’t clean all the time. No exposure to dirty environments doesn’t guarantee zero dirt, microbial, and discharge buildup within your pet’s ear canal.

These materials could be found within their ears but they don’t affect their auditory system in common amounts.

However, if these increase in concentration, it could lead to ear infections and diseases.

Cleaning your cavy’s ears won’t just reduce the blockage or any discomfort within their ears, doing so would also prevent any further complications that could arise and affect the health of your pet as a whole.

 

How To Clean Your Pet’s Ears?

How to clean guinea pig ears? Cleaning your cavy’s ears can be done in three simple steps.

Below are all of the procedures that you should do to do the whole process correctly without hurting your pet.

 

Step #1. Gathering of the cleaning materials

You can’t clean their ears without gathering all of the required cleaning materials, right?

Doing so would highlight the most important and effective objects for guinea pig ear cleaning. Following all of these would significantly reduce any pain and/or mishaps that could happen to your cavy.

First, have a pack of cotton buds. These would help in effectively cleaning the inside of their ears.

I would recommend those with a soft, plastic stem. This type of cotton bud is softer and more convenient than using ones with a wooden or hard stem.

Moreover, take note of the size of the buds. Since the ear canal of a guinea pig is small in size, smaller cotton buds would do best when cleaning.

Second, get a bottle of baby oil. Baby oils are known to be soft, moisturizing, and safe. This would lubricate the buds well and increase the efficiency of the ear cleaning process.

However, some guinea pigs might hate the strong scent of some baby oils. You should opt for products with less or no scent at all.

Third, cotton pads would also come in handy. These soft pads would be utilized for cleaning excess dirt and the external part of a guinea pig’s ear.

Finally, have a small flashlight or source of light to view deeply into your pet’s ear. This could further highlight and help you visualize any accumulated dirt or buildup within or outside their ear.

 

Step #2. Positioning the guinea pig

As cavy owners, we know the struggles of an uncomfortable guinea pig. Once your pet becomes uncomfortable, it tends to become shaky or even resists anything that you do to it.  

Since ear cleaning is crucial and requires the utmost care and patience, you should prioritize your pet’s comfort before doing the entire process. First of all, you should know how to catch a Guinea Pig.

If your cavy feels weird or uncertain beforehand, try to wrap a soft blanket or towel around it. Soft and fuzzy environments tend to calm down a guinea pig.

Try giving a treat or any food i.e Cabbage to further convince them and reduce their anxiety or worries.  Cabbage is good for guinea pigs.

 

Step #3. Proper ear cleaning

Now that you have the materials and your pet is comfortable, let us discuss how to clean your guinea pig’s ears.

Start by using a cotton bud to gently touch and wipe the inside of the ear. Take note that you shouldn’t directly and fully insert it deep into the ear canal.

Only focus on the inner portion that is almost near to the outer ear.

If you see any dirt buildup that is difficult to remove with an ordinary cotton bud, try putting a drop of baby oil, tap the excess liquid, and use the moistened bud to remove the accumulated dirt.

Do this in a gentle motion and wipe it towards the outside portion of the ear. Never push it deeper into the ear canal.

Next, clean the outer ear by utilizing a soft cotton pad with a little drop of baby oil. This reduces the dirt and softens the skin and fur around your cavy’s ears.

Finally, wipe off any excess baby oil with a cotton bud or cotton pad dipped in warm water.

Do this gently and make sure that no water droplets would enter the ear canal since this could harm the hearing of your pet and become a breeding colony for harmful microorganisms.

If you can, give your guinea pig a small treat after the entire process. This makes them feel rewarded, and it could also be a way of you saying thank you for being cooperative and calm.

 

How Often Should I Clean Guinea Pig Ears?

This depends on your type of guinea pig. In my personal experience, long-haired guinea pigs tend to have more ear wax accumulation than short-haired ones.

Commonly, you should combine the ear cleaning process with other grooming practices such as trimming their nails or giving Guinea Pig a warm bath. This makes everything more efficient.

Do these habits twice a month or once every two weeks.

Doing so would improve their overall hygiene and reduce any illnesses or infections that could affect their well-being.

 

Can I Clean A Baby Guinea Pig’s Ears?

Ear cleaning doesn’t require any minimum age. Now that the topic of guinea pigs’ age has just come up, you can get more info about how to figure out the age of Guinea Pig in this article. 

If you think and have evaluated that your pet has an abnormal amount of dirt/wax buildup, try to clean its ears as long as it is comfortable.

However, do take note that this process shouldn’t be done on newborn cavies. Their ears aren’t fully developed nor too big enough for a cotton bud to fit in or clean internally.

 

What Other Things Should I Consider When Cleaning Guinea Pig Ears?

Sometimes, their ear canals could contain reddish or brownish material or any form of pus or discharge.

When you see something abnormal other than excessive ear wax or dirt, immediately consult a veterinarian.

Moreover, if their ears become inflamed or reddish before, during, and/or after the cleaning process, seek medical help immediately since complications can happen.

Try to calm down, and be very patient and still when cleaning your cavy’s ears. This would greatly reduce any pain or accidents that could happen when doing the entire process.

 

Final Words

Today, we have tackled how to clean guinea pig ears.

This article has provided you with three easy-to-follow steps to do that: the gathering of the cleaning materials, positioning the guinea pig, and the proper ear cleaning.

If you notice blood, pus, or any other abnormal discharge except wax and dirt, contact your vet immediately. 

Knowing what’s best for your pet’s hygiene and health is the best way to improve their life and overall well-being.

Good luck and stay safe!