Cleaning Piggies Ears

[Lynnandmatt]

I've got 2 female Guinea Pigs who are 1 year old. I've been trying to clean their ears with damp cotton wool. Is there anything else I could use which could be recommended please. It was suggested to use tea tree lotion/oil (can't remember exactly) but that seems quite harsh!
TIA
Lynn

 

[Wiebke]

I've got 2 female Guinea Pigs who are 1 year old. I've been trying to clean their ears with damp cotton wool. Is there anything else I could use which could be recommended please. It was suggested to use tea tree lotion/oil (can't remember exactly) but that seems quite harsh!
TIA
Lynn

I use a spray that I have been given by my vets.

 

[Swissgreys]

I had no idea I was supposed to be cleaning their ears.
I am bumping this because I am now genuinely interested in what others do.

 

[Wiebke]

I had no idea I was supposed to be cleaning their ears.
I am bumping this because I am now genuinely interested in what others do.

Ear cleaning is only necessary when there is a build up of ear wax and dirt, or caused by ear mites (in which case, you see a fair bit irritated head shaking, scratching or even a head tilt). Most well kept piggies have thankfully clean ears (although it is good to check regularly), but some piggies are prone to gunky ears.

When cleaning gunky ears you have to be very careful to not simply pour oil down them and to very gently remove any gunk that has come loose with a cotton bud. If you have a piggy with a gunky ear, I would recommend to ask a vet for a suitable ear cleaner that is not damaging to a sensitive ear.