How to Care for Your Cat’s Ears

As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain and keep track of your pet’s health, both inside and out, but even with regular health checks, some things can easily be missed, especially when there are no obvious signs of a problem. When it comes to cats, one of the most common missed issues is with their ears, partly because they’re not a fan of sitting still long enough for you to properly check, and also because they are very good at hiding when something is wrong. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to keep your cat’s ears healthy through visual checks and what to do if something is wrong. 

Healthy Cat Ears

The easiest way to check your cat’s ears is to give them a visual check. You can do this by peeking inside your cat’s ears while they sleep and looking for any signs of infection or wax buildup. 

Your cat’s ears should be clean, odour-free, pale pink in colour, and have minimal accumulation of earwax. If they are mucky, you may need a pet-safe antibacterial ear cleanser like this Virbac Epiotic Ear Cleaner. If you don't clean your cat's ears when needed, your cat may be more prone to ear infections. 

In addition to checking your cat’s ears regularly for wax build-up and debris, you should also watch for any change in colour to the pinna (ear flap) and signs of swelling. This can be a sign of haematoma, an accumulation of blood in the pinna often caused by trauma (bite, scratch, or bump) or infection. 

Common Problems with Cat Ears

Most feline ear diseases occur when dirt, debris, or wax accumulate in your cat’s ear, creating an environment where yeast and bacteria can thrive. Anything that impedes the natural removal of your cat’s earwax or reduces air circulation can result in the ear canal remaining warm and humid, encouraging the growth of harmful organisms and leading to infections. 

Ear Infections In Cats

There are two common types of ear infections in cats: 

Infections of the external ear canal (otitis externa)Infections of the middle ear (otitis media)Both of these infections can be caused by a number of things, including, by not limited to: 

• Ear mites

• Bacteria build-up

• Yeast growth

• Injury

• Debris in the ear canal

If you notice any of the previously mentioned symptoms and think your cat may have an ear infection, then it’s crucial you contact your vet immediately for a consultation and advice on treatment. Not all ear infections can be treated with antibiotics, so it’s important a vet examines your cat’s ears to diagnose the cause of the problem and is able to prescribe the appropriate treatment. 

Ear Irritation in Cats

If your cat’s ears seem irritated, this can often be caused by an allergic reaction and, if left untreated, may lead to ear infections. Ear irritation and infections can make your cat incredibly uncomfortable, so their vet should examine them as soon as possible. 

Ear Mites in Cats

As we’ve mentioned, cat ear mites are one of the leading causes of ear infections in cats and are a much more common parasite than you might expect. Much like fleas, these tiny insects are highly contagious and can easily be passed from one cat to another, whether they're outside the home exploring or are indoor cats. If you have a multi-cat household, you must keep all your cats up to date with their routine parasite prevention treatments to ward off ear mites and other creepy crawlies to effectively prevent reinfestations.

The most common sign of ear mites is persistently itching ears. Ear mites also leave behind dark, crumbly debris, which often looks like coffee grounds, much like fleas will leave debris in their coats. The best action for ear mites is to use a routine parasite prevention treatment on your cat to kill mites before they can irritate and infect your cat's ear. If your cat is already suffering from ear mites, then it’s important to seek advice from your vet, who should prescribe either medicated ear drops or a simpler spot-on treatment to kill the mites and clear up the infestation. 

Many non-prescription cat flea treatments do not treat ear mites or other parasites, so it’s important to consult a vet for a proper diagnosis and prescription. 

How to Treat Ear Infections in Cats

Ear infections can be treated in several ways, depending on the root cause, and your vet will decide the best option following consultation and diagnosis. 

Typically, your vet will prescribe a topical medication (such as ear drops) and an ear cleaner to be used alongside, both of which should be administered daily unless specified otherwise. 

Ear cleaners are used to help clear earwax and debris from the ear canal, disrupting the elements that make the ear canal an optimum breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Depending on the cause of your cat’s infection, the ear drops they are prescribed may be antibiotics (to treat bacterial infections) or antifungal medications (to treat fungal infections). These treatments may also have anti-inflammatory properties to make your cat feel more comfortable and hopefully stop any scratching that can continue irritating their ear while it’s trying to heal. 

How to Give a Cat Ear Drops

Giving medication to your pet is never easy, and cats can be especially awkward when it comes to administration since they rarely like to be held still for such a long time. We recommend not trying to give ear drops to your cat alone and having someone else on hand to help. 

1. Dress for the occasion—Administering ear drops to cats can be tricky and messy, so it’s best to wear clothes you don’t mind getting some medication on, such as gardening clothes. Keep some kitchen roll handy to clear up any missed drops. 

2. Read the instructions thoroughly—This is to ensure your cat is getting the correct dosage and you are applying the medication correctly. You may also want to practice removing the lid one-handed to make administration quick and drama-free without your cat knowing what’s coming.

3. Warm the medication bottle in your hands—Cold drops can shock your cat, stressing it out and making it try to escape. 

4. Gently restrain your cat—Do not grab them suddenly or hold them too tightly. You want to stop them from running away without stressing them too much. 

5. Apply the required drops or a liberal amount of ear cleaner directly into your cat’s ear.

6. Gently massage your cat’s ear—You should do this for around 15 seconds to work the treatment deep inside the ear canal. 

7. Wipe away any excess fluid or discharge from the ear's entrance using something clean, soft, and dry, ensuring that the outside of the ear flap is also dry. (Never use cotton buds or push anything into your cat’s ear as this will cause damage to your cat’s ear canal and lead to further problems)

8. Repeat the process on the other ear, if necessary—If you’re using ear drops, check with your vet if one or both ears need to be treated.

9. Reward your cat for their good behaviour and try to add some positive association to having their medicine. 

If your cat has had an ear infection for a long time that has gone untreated, there is also a chance it will require injections, tablets, or even surgery to help treat the disease. This is a worst-case scenario that is best avoided, as it can be very distressing for your cat. The best course of action for feline ear infections is always prevention. 

Deafness in Cats

Deafness can also begin to develop in your cat as it ages, or it can be a genetic trait that you will usually be aware of already. Sudden or unexpected deafness in a cat can also be a sign of infection and should be treated seriously. Some of the key signs of deafness in cats include: 

• Not noticing when you enter the house

• Not responding to everyday sounds such as their name, loud noises, sound-making toys, or treat pots being shaken.

• Not being woken by loud noises

• Louder meowing

• Increased sleep 

• Increased sensitivity to smells and temperature 

If your cat is in good health but still exhibits these symptoms, it could be a sign that it is deaf, and you should consult your vet for further diagnosis. Having a deaf cat can be challenging, but there’s no reason they can’t live a happy and fulfilled life. You can learn more about caring for a deaf cat in our blog. 

If your cat has recently had an ear infection, it’s recommended that you clean its ears regularly to prevent reinfection. There are plenty of non-prescription cat ear cleaners available with antimicrobial properties to help keep the ear clean of bacteria and yeast so it remains healthy.