03.25.2025

Ear Mites in Cats: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatments

Learn all about the signs and symptoms of this common parasite to help protect your cat’s health for the long term.

Veterinarian checking cat's ear for ear mites.

When your cat starts shaking their head a lot, or is scratching at their ears more than usual, it could be a sign of ear mites. Ear mites are a common, highly contagious parasite that can cause bothersome irritation and, if left untreated, significant damage to your cat’s ears and hearing.

What are Ear Mites in Cats?

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are, like all mites, extremely tiny parasitic biting bugs related to ticks, spiders, and lice. Ear mites are unique in that they’re known for taking up residence in the external ear canals of animals to feed off the skin cells and oils found there.

Like many of their cousins, ear mites are highly contagious and can spread rapidly from one animal to another with direct contact or through shared bedding. Ear mite infestations are especially common in cats for this reason, since cats naturally interact closely with one another. Indoor cats are less likely to contract ear mites than cats in multi-animal houses, outdoor cats, or if they’ve recently been in a situation where lots of cats were living in close quarters.

Ear Mites in Kittens

Any cat with ears can contract ear mites, but kittens are particularly susceptible due to their weaker immune systems and tendency to explore their surroundings, including areas where other infected animals may have been. Because their immune systems aren’t as strong as adult cats, it’s especially important to talk to your vet if you suspect your kitten has ear mites so that they can start treatment right away.

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Mites in Cats

There are a variety of symptoms your cat may experience if they have contracted ear mites. Severity can range depending on the length of infestation and can be present in one ear or both. Here are a few signs to look out for:

Excessive scratching around the ears
Drooping ears
Head shaking
Redness or inflammation of the ear canal
Strong odor emanating from the ears
Dark, waxy, crumbly discharge in the ears

What Do Ear Mites in Cats Look Like?

While ear mites are very, very tiny, it’s possible to observe the movement of adult ear mites with the naked eye. They’re white and about the size of the head of a pin.

However, it’s much easier to confirm the presence of ear mites by the tell-tale dark, gritty, gooey, and odorous mess they leave behind. This debris is a combination of mite waste and your cat’s natural ear wax and tends to resemble coffee grounds in consistency.

However, it’s not a sure-fire sign; similar discharge can be caused by ear infection, food allergies, or other ear issues. So, if the insides of your cat’s ears are full of dark brown or black stuff, it’s a sign you should get them checked out by your Lovet vet.

How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats

Before treatment, your vet will want to conduct a thorough exam before treatment to assess overall condition, confirm symptoms, and obtain a diagnosis. Usually, this involves asking you some questions about your cat’s recent behavior along with an inspection of your cat’s ears. Your vet may also recommend taking a swab of the ear to further confirm the diagnosis and to assess for complicating ear infections.

Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment of ear mites is relatively simple. It typically involves thorough cleaning of the ears to remove debris, and the application of medicated ear drops or ointments prescribed by your veterinarian. In severe cases, oral medications or injections may be necessary to eliminate the infestation and resolve any bacterial or fungal infections.

What Happens if Ear Mites in Cats Aren’t Treated?

While ear mites are not life-threatening on their own, if left untreated, an ear mite infestation can lead to a number of severe complications. Ear mites are itchy and uncomfortable for your cat, which can lead to excessive scratching. If they accidentally break the skin while scratching, that can lead to bacterial infections, ear swelling, and painful ear hematomas. Severe cases of ear mites can even lead to permanent damage to the ear canal and eardrum, which could result in deafness. In rare cases, ear mites can also travel outside the ear to other parts of your cat’s body to cause further discomfort.

How to Prevent Ear Mites in Cats

The best way to prevent ear mites in cats is to keep a close eye on your cat’s ear hygiene, especially after they’ve been outside or with other cats. Ear mites aren’t 100% preventable, though specialized monthly parasite preventatives can certainly help, so knowing the signs and symptoms is crucial for catching and eliminating them early.

Can I Catch Ear Mites from My Cat?

While ear mites are highly contagious among cats, they typically don't infect humans. It’s been shown that it’s technically possible for ear mites to infest human ears, but only if deliberately placed in the ear canal. So don’t do that!

In rare cases, people may experience temporary itching or skin irritation after coming into contact with an infested animal. For this reason, we recommend thoroughly washing your hands if you’ve interacted with a cat with confirmed or suspected ear mites.