Common Ear Problems in Cats

In the wild, cats rely heavily on their sense of hearing to survive. Their ears are also important for climbing and maintaining balance. Cats may experience a number of different ear problems that can affect their health and well-being if not properly treated. With the exception of congenital or age-onset deafness, many ear problems in cats can be treated or avoided altogether.

  1. Excessive Wax

    • As with humans, some ear wax is normal in cats and prevents dust and dirt from entering the ear canal. However, if your cat produces excessive wax, simply dampen a cotton ball with warm water or mineral oil and gently wipe out the ear. Do not use harsh cleaners on your cat's ears and do not insert any objects such as cotton swabs into the ear canal. If this treatment is unsuccessful, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help control wax production.

    Ear Mites

    • Ear mites are tiny spider-like insects that live and breed inside a cat's ears. They are extremely contagious among animals and can lead to infection, damaged eardrums and even deafness if left untreated. The main symptom of ear mites in cats is the presence of a black-brown powdery substance in the ears. A cat with ear mites will be extremely uncomfortable and will likely scratch its ears and shake its head often. Ear mites can only be treated with medicated ear drops from a veterinarian.

    Sunburn and Frostbite

    • The skin on a cat's ears is thin and susceptible to the elements. Sunburn is quite common in cats with light fur. Sunburn initially causes the skin to turn pink and scaly, but skin can become crusty and eroded in the advanced stages. Sunburn can also lead to skin cancer. Frostbite is also seen in cats left outdoors in the cold. Symptoms of frostbite include patches of very pale skin that become red and swollen when the cat's body temperature rises. Both sunburn and frostbite can be prevented by keeping your cat indoors.

    Infections

    • Ear infections in cats can be caused by a number of factors, such as bites or scratches left untreated or ear mites. Symptoms of infections include ear odor, discharge and redness. A cat with an ear infection will likely scratch its ears, rub its head against objects and/or shake its head. Ear infections can only be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.

    Deafness

    • Congenital deafness is prevalent in white cats with blue eyes. Cats can also become deaf or hard of hearing as they age.