Ear mites in cats – signs and when to see a vet
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Ear mites are tiny skin parasites that cause very itchy ears and can lead to ear infections.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Let your cat rest somewhere calm.
- Keep fresh water available.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
Ear mites are tiny skin parasites that cause intensely itchy ears and often lead to ear infections.[1] Any cat can catch ear mites, although they are most common in kittens.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
What the experts say
“Overview. Ear mites are tiny skin parasites that cause intensely itchy ears and often lead to ear infections. Any cat can catch ear mites but they are most common in kittens.”
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Common questions
What are ear mites in cats?
Ear mites are tiny skin parasites that cause intensely itchy ears and often lead to ear infections.[1]
What signs can ear mites cause in cats?
Signs can include head shaking, smelly ears, red, painful or swollen ears, rubbing the face or head, dark brown ear wax, a swollen ear if an aural haematoma develops, and itchy ears.[1]
Can any cat catch ear mites?
Any cat can catch ear mites, although they are most common in kittens.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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