Some species of mites love the warmth in your cat’s ear. But how do you get rid of ear mites in cats? Once they find their way there, they make a home and feed on your cat’s ear wax. Ear mites’ stay in your cat’s ears and are not peaceful. They cause a lot of discomfort for your feline friend. You will notice your cat shaking its head and aggressively scratching its ears. This constant itching can lead to injuries and infestation.
If you notice your cat shaking its head and scratching at its ears too often, there are likely mites in its ears. Although it’s difficult to prevent ear mites, treatment is quite easy.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
- What are ear mites?
- How do cats get ear mites?
- What are the symptoms of ear mites in cats?
- How to diagnose ear mites in cats
- How to treat ear mites in cats
- How to prevent ear mites in cats
What are Ear Mites?
Ear mites are parasites living inside and around the ear canal of animals like dogs and cats. Mites are hard to see with the naked eye, but they will look like moving white dots. The most common ear mite species is Otodectes cynotis.
Ear mites feed on the skin cells and earwax of cats. They are very contagious and can leap from one pet to another. While ear mites don’t transmit diseases, an infestation can be very uncomfortable for your feline pet. It causes them to itch their ears, and cats may scratch so much they bleed and cause damage to their ears.
How do Cats Get Ear Mites?
You might keep your cats clean, and they would still end up with mites. You might be wondering how your cats contracted ear mites. Cats can contract mites from anywhere. They can pick them up from loose animal hair, infested surfaces, or from other cats, dogs, and animals.
Hence, there are limitless avenues for your cats to contract mites. Your feline pet is more likely to get mites if they go outdoors often or spend time in an animal shelter.
What are the Symptoms of Mites in Cats
It’s difficult to find mites because of their microscopic size. But there are some signs and symptoms to help you know if your cat is mite-infested:
- Head shaking
- Aggressive ear scratching
- Drooping ear flap
- Dark brown crusty or waxy material in the ear
- Pus
- Inflammation
Ear mites’ presence in your cat’s ear will cause intense itching. This often leads to inflammation of the external ear canal. Your cat will also shake its head, trying to eliminate the mites. You will notice a dark waxy substance in the ear, created by their droppings and carcasses. Extreme itching can lead to ear damage. Same thing happens to dogs.
How to Treat Cats With Ear Mites
After the vet diagnoses your cat, the first step toward treatment is thoroughly cleaning the ears. Cleaning helps remove wax and debris that can reduce the effectiveness of topical medications.
Treatment can range from topical applications to a single dose or repeated use of anti-parasitic medications. The vet will prescribe subsequent medication if necessary. If there’s inflammation, the vet may recommend medication to reduce it. Also, if the vet detects a secondary infection during the examination, the vet will prescribe the right medication.
If you own other pets, you must treat them as well since mites are very contagious. You should also clean up their play area, litter, and toys. Ensure you eliminate any mites that may be lying around so your cat won’t get mite-infested again.
Your vet may also want you to bring your pet for re-examination after a week or two to ensure the mites are gone. There are also some good treatments online for mites in cat ears.
How to Prevent Ear Mites in Cats
Preventing ear mites in cats is almost impossible. But you can lessen the chances of infestation by keeping your cat indoors. Also, watch out for other pets showing symptoms of mites. If you suspect any of your cat’s playmates have mites, keep them away.
The best way to prevent mite infestation is by using preventative anti-parasitic medication. You should ask your vet for a prescription.
How to Treat Mites in Cats Conclusion
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in and around the ear canal of cats, dogs, and other animals. They feed on ear wax and oil and cause a lot of discomforts. The typical symptoms of ear mites in cats are head shaking and ear scratching. Once the vet diagnoses your cat, it will receive the necessary treatment.
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