How To Get Rid of Ear Mites on Your Cat

Ear mites—also known as Otodectes cynotis—are external parasites that are typically found within an infected cat’s ear canal. As their name suggests, they most commonly infest the ears, but these tiny parasites can also appear in other spots on your cat.

“They can potentially cause itchiness or signs of skin inflammation when found outside of the ear canal,” says Dr. Cain. “But they’re usually going to cause most of their issues inside the ears.”

Unfortunately, ear mites are highly contagious. But Dr. Cain says most healthy, indoor adult cats who don’t regularly come into contact with other pets outside the household are at low risk of contracting them.

What cats are at the highest risk? Felines from multiple-animal situations, such as catteries, shelters or living together outdoors in a feral colony.

Ear mites are also more common in kittens and in older cats who have a compromised immune system. They’re also not exclusive to cats—dogs and other small animals like ferrets can get ear mites and pass them along to your cat.

So, while they’re not at the highest risk, healthy adult cats can contract ear mites if they’re in contact with an infected animal. “Adult cats can potentially be infected, for example, if a new kitten comes into the household and brings some ‘friends’ with them,” says Dr. Cain.

Here are some common signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect your pet is having an issue with ear mites:

• Dark discharge: One of the telltale signs of ear mites is a buildup of what looks almost like coffee grounds in your cat’s ear. This dark, earwaxlike buildup is a mix of mite poop, earwax, shed skin cells, and dead mite eggs left over from the mites. Yuck!
• Itchiness: As you can imagine, having parasites living in their ears is very uncomfortable for your cat. They may scratch at their ears to relieve the irritation and try to eliminate the mites.
• Redness: Constant scratching or grooming around the area may lead to redness, rashes and skin irritation.
• Headshaking: Shaking their head is another way cats try to eliminate mites without success. Some cats shake their head so hard that they burst a blood vessel in their ears, making their ear flaps look droopy and swollen.

1Visit Your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian can best determine whether or not your cat has ear mites. During your office visit, they typically first examine your cat’s ears to see if they have that telltale buildup of dark, waxy “coffee grounds.” They then collect a sample for testing, and use an ear examination tool called an otoscope to look for the mites themselves.

Your vet will also check for secondary ear infections in your cat. With an inflamed ear, other bacterial or yeast infections can easily develop.

2Give Anti-Parasitic Medication

If your veterinarian diagnoses your cat with ear mites, they may prescribe medication designed to kill the pesky parasites. Dr. Cain recommends that her feline patients take medication that offers full-body coverage instead of just treating the area around the ears. That way, it eliminates any mites that might be living on other areas of the body.

There are two different types of medication for getting rid of mites: oral medicine and a topical solution. The topical treatment can be applied to the skin monthly to help kill mites.

If there are any secondary infections, your vet may prescribe a course of ear drops containing antibiotics or antifungal medication to help treat those too.

3Treat Your Other Pets

Even if your other pets aren’t showing any signs of ear mites, once you confirm your cat has them, you should treat all other animals in the household. That’s because ear mites are highly contagious and easily passed between cats, dogs and other pets.

4Return to Your Vet for a Checkup

It’s also a good idea to follow up with your vet to ensure the cat’s ear mites are gone and that any secondary infections have cleared the ear canal. You may need to follow up in six to eight weeks after ear mite treatment is complete, or sooner if your cat has a secondary infection. Ask your vet about the timeline for your cat’s next checkup.

Can I Use Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Cats?

Sorry—there aren’t any safe, effective home remedies to treat ear mites. Dr. Cain stresses that cat parents should talk to their veterinarian if they suspect their cat has ear mites.

Left untreated, cats with ear mites will suffer from itchy, irritated skin. They’re at risk for developing ear problems, such as infections, aural hematomas or changes to their ear canal. Plus, ignoring an ear mite issue can leave your cat feeling miserable.

How To Prevent Ear Mites in Cats

While most healthy, adult, indoor cats are at low risk for contracting ear mites, there are situations where you may want to protect your pet. If you plan to foster kittens routinely or bring new cats into your household, “it’s a good idea to protect your cat against things like fleas and ear mites,” says Dr. Cain.

Some parasite-prevention medicines help protect your cat against fleas and heartworms in addition to effectively preventing ear mites. Many of those medications are labeled for ear mite prevention on the packaging. If you are looking for a particular product, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.