Ear Mites in Cats

Despite practicing good hygiene, cats can still occasionally contract ear mites. Eliminating these small parasites from your cat's ear can prove to be challenging due to their high level of persistence.

What Are Ear Mites in Cats? 

Ear mites are tiny critters. Once they get settled in the ear, the next step is laying eggs. An ear mite only needs 4 weeks to go from an egg to a fully functioning adult and it instantly starts laying eggs again. They are not harmless though. Your cat will be visibly uncomfortable if they have mites in the ear. Long-term ear mite infection can also lead to infections, sores and inner ear problems.

Symptoms of Ear Mites in Cats

There are some pretty clear signals which might alert you to the fact that your cat has ear mites. They might shake their head with more vigor and frequency than normal. They will also scratch the ear that has a mite infection, or both if it has spread to both ears. This symptom is particularly concerning because cats often tend to injure themselves with incessant scratching. For any cat, itchy ears can be extremely uncomfortable. You might also observe pus in their ears if the infestation has caused an infection. There will be redness all over the ears as well. Any black or brown stuff falling out of your cat's ear also points to ear mites. PetMD warns against ignoring ear infections because if they get out of hand, it might rupture the canal and cause permanent hearing loss.

What Causes Ear Mites in Cats?

Cat ear mites are highly contagious. This means that they can easily transfer from one pet to another. Mites are also interchangeable when it comes to cats and dogs. A cat that plays with other animals or is prone to roaming out where they may come in contact with other cats will be at risk of catching mites. Contaminated food is the second main culprit so be mindful of what your cat is doing when outside. 

Diagnosing & Treating Ear Mites in Cats

A veterinarian's examination is the most reliable method of knowing for sure. If there are indications that the feline can have an ear infection, you should never disregard them. Being safe is always preferable to being sorry. Since mites are plainly visible, the veterinarian will check your cat's ears in great detail. The vet will thoroughly examine your cat's ears because mites can be easily seen. In most cases, this will be enough to make a positive diagnosis. According to the Cornell Feline Health Centre, the vet might use an otoscope. It has a flashlight which will allow them to explore the depths of the cat’s inner ear canal. 

Swelling or infection can make it difficult for the vet to check inside the ear. The most immediate action taken will be to treat the infection. Fungal and bacterial infections are quite possible as your cat can get cuts from scratching a lot.

The vet will use a cleaning solution to clear the cat's ear of as many ear mites and eggs as possible. Once that's taken care of, they will give you ear drops for a week or so to make sure that the infection has been taken care of. If you have multiple felines at home, they will all have to undergo ear mite treatment for cats.

Can Ear Mites in Cats Be Prevented?

Preventing ear mites is possible but there is no complete guarantee. The best practice is to make sure that your cat's ears are clean and dry. Never let them play with outdoor cats as they often carry mites. You also need to inspect their ears from time to time to rule out the presence of mites. If you notice even one, start the cleaning process and administer the ear drops. When you see ear mite symptoms, cats should be checked out by a professional. 

Conclusion

Cats are usually healthy and active creatures but ear mites can make them cranky. Checking their ears regularly will help prevent ear mites as much as possible. It also pays to keep their bedding clean and dry because they can become breeding grounds for ear mites pretty quickly. When they are suffering from ear mites, cats become agitated and unhappy. This is not good for any pet so taking preventive measures is the key.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ear mites contagious to other pets?

Mites can easily travel from one pet to another so it makes them highly contagious. If your pet gets ear mites, keep them away from other pets they have been completely eliminated.