Rabbit ears are a very sensitive part. If there is a buildup of dirt in it, mites and bacteria can breed. In theory, cleaning rabbit ears is very easy; it only requires a simple solution and smearing of the solution. However, the process can be quite difficult. If they feel uncomfortable, scared, or in pain, the rabbit may bite, kick, or scratch to escape. This can be dangerous for you and your rabbit. You have to build trust with the pet and use the right materials and methods to properly clean rabbit ears.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Rabbit
Step 1. Calm the rabbit
Cleaning a rabbit's ears, especially if there is a buildup of dirt, can be a painful or frightening experience. It's important to build a good, friendly relationship with your rabbit so you can calm it down.
- Before cleaning, remove the rabbit from its cage and play with it.
- Get the rabbit used to the touch of your hand. Gently stroke the rabbit, rubbing the head and ears. Your rabbit will also get used to the touch of your hand, making it less likely that it will startle.
- Hold your rabbit so that it gets used to being held.
- Rabbits usually don't like being away from the surface. So don't pick it up and carry it around. Rabbits don't usually like being away from the surface. So, don't pick it up and carry it everywhere.
Step 2. Hold the rabbit
Rabbits can hurt themselves if they are frightened. Often a rabbit's first instinct is to run or escape. For this reason, it is very important to hold the rabbit firmly when performing any procedure. When preparing to clean rabbit ears, consider:
- Ask someone the rabbit trusts to hold him while his ears are cleaned.
- When the rabbit is on the table, arch your arms around the rabbit's body, to keep it in place but don't squeeze it. You can lean your upper body over the rabbit so it doesn't jump, but don't put pressure on the rabbit. This will surely cause the rabbit to startle and try to run away.
- If your rabbit trusts you, and is calm, it will stay on the table. You just need to hold the rabbit ears while cleaning them.
- If your rabbit is too upset, consider cleaning his ears at another time to avoid injury or stress.
Step 3. Be gentle
Rabbit ears are very, very sensitive. Always remember to be gentle when handling the rabbit and its ears.
When cleaning your rabbit's ears, you need to gently hold each ear, usually with your index and thumb
Step 4. Recognize the symptoms of stress
If your rabbit kicks, hits, bites, scratches, or screams, he's too stressed to work with. Slowly put the rabbit back into its cage until it calms down. Retry the process of preparing the rabbit when it's calmer.
Other signs of stress include being frightened, bending over with their ears to the back of their body, being aggressive, restless, hiding, or short of breath
Method 2 of 3: Ear Cleaning
Step 1. Gently hold the rabbit ears
If the rabbit is in a comfortable and safe environment, gently grasp its ear with your thumb and forefinger. The ear should be held in the middle to avoid the ear tip and ear canal which is very sensitive.
- In this initial step, the goal is to check for blockages or irritation. You can use a small penlight to look inside the ear canal.
- You can also pull the ear gently to examine the inside of the ear.
Step 2. Remove dirt with tweezers
If there is visible buildup, such as earwax or mites, you can carefully remove any large discharge. If wax is still stuck in the ear, do not pull or remove it.
Don't push the dirt. This can cause the wax to enter the ear canal or further into the ear and cause an infection
Step 3. Wet the tool to apply the solution and apply the solution
Once the wax has been removed, you can now apply the solution to the ear. There are a variety of homemade solutions and commercial products that can be used. Always make sure to read the package label, and consult your veterinarian, to find out what is safe for rabbits. The three homemade solutions are:
- Honey solution: Use one teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of warm water (not hot water!). Use two to three drops at a time and massage the ear with the liquid. Use twice a day for three days and change to once a day. Ears will be clean in a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide solution: Moisten a cotton ball or cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and wipe the inside of the ear. Do it twice a day until the ears start to clean. Pay attention to rabbit ears as this solution can dry out the ears; if so, massage the rabbit's ears with mineral oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil after applying the solution to prevent cracking or dryness of the skin.
- Olive oil solution: Massage the rabbit's ears with 15 ml of olive oil twice a day until they are clean.
Step 4. Wipe the outer ear, in an inward-outward motion
If the solution starts to work, the dirt will loosen. Gently wipe the wax from the rabbit's ears with a tissue or soft cloth and wipe it from the inside out. Do not wipe from the outside into the ear because this method can not remove the dirt and can cause infection.
Step 5. Avoid repeated contamination
Mites, droppings, and infections are caused by a number of factors. However, it is important to keep the cage clean to avoid repeated contamination.
- Clean the rabbit's cage with a cleaning solution when the rabbit is not in the cage.
- Don't forget to clean the water bowl and food bowl often.
- Always remove bedding that has been exposed to rabbit droppings.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing the Disease and its Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize healthy ears
Rabbit ears vary depending on age and breed. However, in general a healthy ear should be clean. The color is bright pink. In some types of rabbits, you can see the veins in the ears. Rabbit ears vary according to age and breed. However, in general a healthy ear should be clean. The color is bright pink. In some breeds of rabbits, you can see the veins in the ears.
Step 2. Watch for ear infections
Symptoms of an ear infection include scratching the head, tilting the head, loss of appetite, discharge, and pain. Ear infections can be very serious and should be treated by a veterinarian.
If the infection causes fungal pustules (red bumps with white heads), you can clean your rabbit's ears using the above methods. However, you can still call your vet for antibiotics to treat this infection
Step 3. Recognize ear mite disorders
Ear mite disorders (ear inflammation) are common in rabbits and are very easy to identify. Symptoms include the presence of mites, crusting on the sores, and a buildup of earwax.
Rabbit ears appear red and swollen. Rabbits become frequently moving their heads or scratching their ears
Step 4. Watch for earwax or fungus buildup
Another disease that is common in rabbits is the buildup of dirt or fungus in the ears. This buildup looks like a yellowish crust or wax. You can clean it using the methods above.
The vet can also prescribe a topical ointment if the problem persists
Warning
- Always contact your veterinarian if you have any questions, concerns, or if your rabbit's condition worsens.
- You should consider quarantining infected rabbits from the herd to avoid spreading mites or disease.
