It’s actually very common for cats to get ear mites. As a responsible cat parent, knowing how your cat gets ear mites and recognizing the signs can help you provide prompt treatment. This is the best way to avoid complications.

What Ear Mites Look Like

Ear mites are just a parasite. They are about the same size as a grain of sand. They are visible to the naked eye, but just barely. They crawl and cannot fly or hop. They may look like tiny, moving white specks. Most of the time, ear mites are in the ear canal, but they can be on the skin surrounding the ears or on other parts of the cat’s body. If you could see ear mites under a microscope, you’d notice that they have brown-red oval-shaped bodies with six legs each having suckers on the ends.

How do cats get ear mites?

Cats of any age can get ear mites, but they are usually found in younger cats who live outdoors. Ear mites are extremely contagious. Outdoor cats are more vulnerable to ear mites, but indoor cats can get them too. About 25% of pet cats with ear mites become infested.

Ear mites are spread during social interaction with cats that are already infected. They can get ear mites while playing, fighting, sleeping, and grooming. Ear mites can also be spread between cats and dogs.

Common Signs of Ear Mites in Cats

Ear mites most commonly cause inflammation of the ear canal, called otitis. Unlike other types of parasites, having more mites doesn’t necessarily make signs of inflammation worse. It is important to learn the signs of ear mites since long-term damage can occur in cases that are left untreated.

Typical Signs of Ear Mite Infestations in Cats

·         Inflamed outer ear.

·         Cat starts holding their ears flat against their head.

·         Head shaking.

·         Intense itchiness and non-stop scratching of the ears.

·         Dark, foul-smelling debris and wax at the ear canal entrance.

Cats may have mites on other parts of their body, like their rump, tail, or neck. They may also have itchiness or a rash in these areas too. Signs of ear mite infestations can be like those of flea bites and food or environmental allergies. If you are checking your cat for any of these, have a vet check them for ear mites too.

Occasionally, cats have ear mites, but they don’t show any signs at all. Even though your feline family member doesn’t show discomfort, having mites at all can lead to future infestation. This is why it’s so important to have your vet examine your cat’s ears regularly, especially if they spend time outdoors.

Treating Ear Mites in Cats

A simple exam by your vet can mean a diagnosis of ear mites. If your kitty has a lot of wax and debris in their ear, a cotton swab may be used to extract a sample. The sample will then be viewed under a microscope to make the diagnosis.

The first step in treating ear mites is completely cleaning the ear canals using an appropriate pet cleaning agent. This will dissolve the ear wax while soothing and softening the skin. Once the ear canals have been cleaned, your vet can suggest medications for treating ear mites. Your vet will also be able to treat other related problems such as bacterial or yeast infections.

Depending on the severity of the ear mites and other associated conditions, treatment can take two to three weeks. Since ear mites are so contagious, all the pets in your house should be treated for ear mites, even if they don’t have any symptoms.

Can ear mites in cats be prevented?

Your veterinarian may suggest the use of a parasiticide that can help prevent your cat from getting ear mite infestations in the future.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.