If your cat keeps scratching at their ears or shaking their head, ear mites are one of the first things to suspect. These tiny parasites are very common in New Zealand cats, especially kittens and cats that spend time outdoors. The good news is that they're easy to treat once you know what you're dealing with. This guide covers the signs to look for, how ear mites spread, and how to treat and prevent them.
What are ear mites?
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live in the ear canal, feeding on wax and skin oils. They're barely visible to the naked eye, but they cause intense itching and inflammation. Left untreated, the irritation can lead to secondary infections and damage to the ear.
How cats catch ear mites
Ear mites spread through close contact. Cats pick them up from their mother, from other cats, or from dogs in the same house. That's why they're especially common in:
- kittens, particularly from shelters, farms or multi-cat homes
- outdoor cats that mix with other cats
- homes with several pets
Ear mites don't live on people, so you don't need to worry about catching them yourself.
Signs your cat may have ear mites
- scratching at the ears or rubbing the head on furniture and the floor
- frequent head shaking
- dark brown or black crumbly debris in the ear that looks like coffee grounds
- a strong smell from the ears
- red, inflamed skin inside the ear
- scabs or scratches behind the ears or on the neck
- a swollen, puffy ear flap, which can happen when a blood vessel bursts from all the shaking
Is it definitely ear mites?
Yeast and bacterial ear infections, allergies and grass seeds can all look very similar. If this is the first time your cat has had ear trouble, see your vet. They can look at a swab under a microscope to confirm mites, and check that the eardrum is healthy before you put anything in the ear. See your vet straight away if your cat has a head tilt, loss of balance, or a swollen ear flap.
How to treat ear mites
Modern spot-on treatments make ear mites much easier to deal with than they used to be. Instead of daily ear drops, a single treatment applied to the back of the neck is absorbed through the skin and kills the mites.
Moxiclear Flea & Worm Spot On for Cats. Treats and controls ear mites, and covers fleas, roundworm, hookworm and lungworm at the same time. Applied to the back of the head, where cats can't lick it off. Available in 3 and 6 packs, with sizes for kittens and adult cats.
PetScience Easi-Spot for Cats. Contains selamectin, which treats ear mites as well as fleas, roundworm and lungworm. Safe from 8 weeks old, with a kitten size available.
Follow the pack directions, and use the right size for your cat's weight. Never use a dog product on a cat.
Four steps to clear ear mites for good
- Treat every pet in the house. Ear mites pass easily between cats and dogs. If you only treat the cat that's scratching, the mites will come straight back. Moxiclear and Easi-Spot both come in dog versions too.
- Clean the ears gently. Your vet may recommend an ear cleaner to loosen the debris. Wipe only the parts of the ear you can see with a soft cotton pad. Never push cotton buds into the ear canal.
- Keep going. Itching can take a week or two to settle, as the ear needs time to heal. Book a recheck with your vet after about a month to make sure the mites are gone.
- Wash bedding. Wash your cat's bedding and blankets on a hot cycle.
Preventing ear mites
The easiest prevention is a monthly spot-on treatment for every pet in the house. It protects against ear mites, fleas and worms all at once, so one routine covers everything. Check your cat's ears once a week when you're giving them a cuddle. Healthy ears are pale pink, clean and don't smell.
If you're bringing home a new kitten, check their ears in the first few days and treat them before they mix with your other pets.
Supporting healthy skin and ears
Good nutrition helps irritated skin heal. Foods rich in Omega-3s from fish, like Addiction Salmon Bleu Cat and ACANA Bountiful Catch, support healthy skin. If your cat has repeated ear problems even when mites are under control, talk to your vet about allergies, as food can sometimes play a part.
Not sure which treatment suits your cat? Call or pop into our Oxford store and we'll talk it through with you.
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This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your cat is unwell, see your vet.