When we think of what we can do to make a difference in our pets’ health, our minds tend to go to things like annual vet visits, plenty of exercise, and good nutrition.
Eye and ear care may not always be at the top of your “to do” list. Yet, routine eye and ear care tasks are among the most important at-home things you can do for your pet. And, they’re surprisingly easy to do when you have a little instruction and the right products.
I’ve learned the trick to spending just a few minutes each week on pro-active care and keeping my pets’ eyes and ears cleaner and healthier than ever.
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Why It’s Important
If you’ve ever had an ear infection or a case of itchy, watery eyes, you know how miserable it is to have eye and ear problems. People aren’t the only ones to have these troubles, though. Both dogs and cats can also experience eye or ear discomfort.
Dogs love to roll around and explore in some of the filthiest places. All of that dust, dirt, and grime can make them look pretty messy, but it can also cause problems that are a little harder to spot.
Since dogs have an L-shaped ear canal, they’re especially prone to ear infections. When dirt enters their ears, it becomes trapped deep in their ears in a moist environment that’s ideal for bacteria to grow. Doggies with hair in their ears or floppy ears are especially at risk.
All of that dirt doesn’t just settle in the ears. It can also make its way into their eyes and cause irritation or allergies.
Although kitties may not love dirt quite as much as our tail-wagging friends, they also encounter their fair share of it while they’re poking their noses into unexplored cracks and crannies. And even the most meticulous tongue bath won’t guarantee that some dirt won’t settle in their sensitive eyes and ears and cause irritation down the road.
The good news is that a little preventative maintenance can help our furry friends to avoid eye and ear problems brought on by their dirt-loving lifestyles.
Eye and Ear Care Made Easy
Cleaning our pets’ eyes regularly can help them to avoid infection or irritation, and it can also help to relieve allergies. I use Vetericyn Plus ® Eye Wash to keep Chilly and Olivia’s eyes clean and healthy. Yes, fellow cat parents, I clean my cat’s eyes without getting my hands clawed to shreds! It’s super simple to use, it doesn’t sting a bit, and it’s over before she has time to get irritated.
Chilly has some environmental allergies, so sometimes just rinsing his eyes after a good romp outside isn’t quite enough. When I notice his eyes his eyes getting a little itchy, I use Vetericyn Plus ® Antimicrobial Opthalmic Gel to give him quick relief. This way, his allergies never stop us from doing the fun outdoor things that we love so much.
I clean Chilly’s ears about once a week using Vetericyn Plus® Ear Rinse. We do it immediately following his bath, while he’s still in the tub! It only takes an extra minute or two (max), and because he gets a nice ear rub after I put the drops in, Chilly actually enjoys the process. Cats can also benefit from an occasional ear cleaning, especially if they spend any time outdoors.
At-home remedies are great for preventing problems or treating minor issues, but if you notice ongoing discomfort or unusual symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your vet.
Taking care of a pet’s eyes and ears doesn’t take a lot of time, but it can make a big difference to our furry friends.
This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions and anecdotes are my own, and I never promote any products or brands I don’t believe in. ~Petfully yours, Kristen
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