Ear mites are a common parasite in cats, especially kittens. They cause intense itching and discomfort, and if left untreated, they can lead to painful ear infections. Here’s how to recognize ear mites, how cats catch them and why it’s important to see your vet for diagnosis and treatment.
What Are Ear Mites?
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny parasites, barely visible to the naked eye, that live in the ear canal and feed on wax and skin debris. The warm, moist environment inside the ear is ideal for them to multiply.
Which Cats Are Most at Risk?
- kittens, especially those from shelters, rescues or unknown backgrounds;
- young cats under a year old;
- outdoor cats and cats that mix with other cats;
- cats in multi-cat homes, catteries and shelters;
- cats with weakened immune systems.
How Cats Catch Ear Mites
Ear mites are highly contagious and spread mainly through close contact with an infected animal. Cats can pass them to other cats, dogs, ferrets and rabbits. Kittens often catch them from their mother. Less commonly, mites can spread through shared bedding and grooming tools.
Signs of Ear Mites
- frequent head shaking;
- scratching at the ears, sometimes so much that the skin around them is scratched raw;
- dark brown or black, crumbly discharge in the ears that looks like coffee grounds;
- a bad smell from the ears;
- redness and inflammation inside the ear;
- a swollen, puffy ear flap, which can be caused by a burst blood vessel from all the shaking (an aural hematoma).
These signs can also be caused by other ear problems, such as bacterial or yeast infections, allergies or a foreign object like a grass seed. That’s why it’s important not to guess. Your vet can confirm ear mites quickly by looking in the ear with an otoscope and examining a sample of the discharge under a microscope.
Treatment
Ear mites are easy to treat with the right medication. Your vet will recommend the best option for your cat, which may include:
- a prescription spot-on treatment applied to the skin, which treats mites (and often fleas and worms too);
- ear drops designed to kill mites;
- a gentle ear cleaning at the clinic to remove debris, so the medication can work;
- treatment for any secondary bacterial or yeast infection.
Important:
- Treat all the pets in your household at the same time, even if they don’t show signs. Otherwise, the mites will keep spreading back and forth.
- Complete the full course of treatment your vet prescribes, even if your cat seems better sooner. Mite eggs take time to hatch.
- Wash your cats’ bedding.
- Go back for a follow-up check if your vet recommends one.
Don’t try to treat ear mites with home remedies, such as oils, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter ear drops not prescribed for your cat. They may irritate the delicate ear, won’t reliably kill the mites and can make an ear infection worse. If the eardrum is damaged, some products can even cause deafness or balance problems.
Can People Catch Ear Mites?
Ear mites rarely affect people. Very occasionally, they can cause a temporary itchy rash on the skin of someone who has close contact with an infected pet. Wash your hands after handling your cat, and talk to your doctor if you develop an itchy rash.
Preventing Ear Mites
- use a monthly parasite treatment that also protects against ear mites, if your vet recommends one;
- keep new pets separate until they’ve been checked by a vet;
- check your cat’s ears regularly, and see your vet at the first sign of a problem.
Read more: how to clean your cat’s ears safely.
