Ear Problems in Cats – Signs and Care

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Ear problems are conditions affecting parts of a cat’s ear, including the outer ear, ear canal, middle ear or inner ear.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.
  5. Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Ear problems are common in cats.[1] They can affect the outer ear, external ear canal, middle ear or inner ear.[1]

Signs

  • Swelling
  • Redness or inflammation
  • Pain
  • Visible wounds
  • Crusty or ulcerated skin
  • Irritation or itchy skin
  • Discharge from the ears
  • Head shaking
  • Holding the head to one side
  • Smell from the ears

How a vet finds out

  • Physical examination
  • Looking down the ears with an otoscope
  • X-rays
  • CT scan
  • MRI

How vets treat it

  • Surgery
  • Antibiotics
  • Pain relief
  • Medication

What the experts say

“Ear problems are common in cats. They may affect the pinnae (the outer ears or ear flaps sitting on top of the head), the external ear canal, the middle ear or the inner ear. The most common diseases affect the external ear (the ear canal and pinnae).”

— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What are ear problems in cats?

Ear problems can affect a cat’s outer ear, external ear canal, middle ear or inner ear.[1]

What signs can ear problems cause?

Signs can include swelling, redness or inflammation, pain, discharge from the ears, head shaking, holding the head to one side and smell from the ears.[1]

How does a vet find out what is wrong?

A vet will examine your cat thoroughly and look down the ears with an otoscope.[1]

Sources

  1. International Cat Care (iCatCare)

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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