What Are Ear Mites?
Ear mites are tiny, spider-like parasites that infect your pet's ears. They mostly live in the ear canals but can appear on other parts of the body. Ear mites cause a lot of ear infections and are more common in cats than in dogs. They like warm, moist places with restricted air flow. These mites eat ear wax and skin debris, burrowing into the ear to cause irritation.
Symptoms of Ear Mites in Cats
Ear mites can make your cat very uncomfortable. They cause itching, so your cat might scratch their ears or shake their head often. You might see flattened ears or feel that they are painful to touch. Your cat might cry when you touch their ears or when they scratch. Sometimes, you might notice a bad smell coming from their ears.
Self-Inflicted Injuries in Cats
A cat with an ear mite infection might scratch their ears so much that they bleed. Shaking their head too hard can break small blood vessels, causing bumps called hematomas.
Signs of Ear Mites
If you look into a cat's infected ear, you will see dark debris that looks like coffee grounds. This debris is made of ear wax and blood. Ear mites can be seen as white dots among the debris or moving around. Vets use a tool called an otoscope to look into the ear and may also inspect the debris under a microscope.
Ear mite infections need treatment because they can damage ear canals and eardrums, possibly causing hearing loss. Secondary infections are common, so visit your vet for possible antibiotics.
Treatment for Ear Mites
Revolution
Revolution is a medicine for cats older than six weeks. You apply it to the skin above the cat's shoulder blades once a month, not directly in the ears.
- Treats and controls ear mites
- Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching
- Prevents heartworm disease
- Treats roundworms and hookworms
Advocate
- Treats and prevents ear mites in cats and dogs
- Prevents heartworm
- Controls fleas, lice, and various worms
- Manages mange and Demodex mites in dogs
You can buy treatments at pet stores or get them from your vet. Clean the ear's black gunk daily using a cotton ball with vegetable oil. Massage medication into all parts of the ear.
Complete the full treatment to eliminate mites.
Are Ear Mites Contagious?
Yes, ear mites spread easily between pets, so treat all your animals at once.
Can Humans Catch Ear Mites?
No, humans do not get ear mites.
