How To Treat Ear Mites in Cats

Ear mites can cause serious discomfort and health complications with your cat if you don’t catch it quickly. The microscopic parasite causes infections, irritation, and potentially permanent damage to your cat’s ears. Knowing what causes ear mites, how to spot them, and how to treat ear mites in cats is key to keeping your feline friend happy and healthy. 

What Are Ear Mites in Cats?

Ear mites are tiny parasites that live inside a cat's ear canal, feeding on wax and skin oils. They’re too small to see with the naked eye, but it’s usually obvious they’re in your cat’s ears. Your cat may:

• Start excessively scratching
• Shake their heads
• Have a dark, coffee-ground-like discharge from their ears

These symptoms indicate your cat’s ears have irritation issues, and, if you don’t learn how to treat ear mites in cats, can lead to more severe infections. Because ear mites are highly contagious, they spread quickly between animals, so cats living in multi-pet households or with outdoor exposure are at greater risk. 

What Causes Ear Mites in Cats?

Ear mites spread from cat to cat through close contact with an infected animal. Cats that spend time in shelters or outdoors are at a higher risk, because they spread quickly, and other pets, such as rabbits, dogs, or ferrets, can also have ear mites. 

Shared spaces, bedding, or grooming tools may also contribute to the spread of mites. While ear mites can infect cats of all ages, young kittens or cats with weakened immune systems are more prone to severe infestations. Maintaining good hygiene practices and keeping your pets’ environment clean can reduce the chances of infestation.

How To Get Rid of Ear Mites in Cats

Treating ear mites in cats requires a thorough approach, and the right combination of vet care, cleaning, and medication is essential to ensure that you get rid of all the mites. Addressing the infestation quickly ensures you help treat the immediate symptoms and stop a second infestation.  

Consult a Veterinarian for Diagnosis

The first step to treating ear mites is getting a proper diagnosis. If you think your cat has ear mites, schedule a vet appointment to confirm it. It’s easy to mistake ear mites for other ear infections, so you want an accurate diagnosis to treat it properly. Your vet will likely use an otoscope to visually inspect the ear canal or take a swab to check for mites under a microscope.

Clean Your Cat’s Ears

Once they confirm mites, you’ll start cleaning your cat’s ears. Getting rid of wax and debris helps ensure the medication makes full contact. Products like Warren London Cat Ear Cleaner are a good option. It’s a gentle formula designed to help get rid of buildup and soothe irritation.  Take note of your vet’s recommendations on how often and thoroughly to clean your cat’s ears. 

Apply the Medications

After cleaning, the application of medication is necessary to eliminate the mites. Depending on the severity of the infestation, your vet may prescribe topical or oral medications, and there are over the counterear mite treatments you can buy and try on your cat. The treatments come designed to kill mites and get rid of inflammation. Also, a lot of the treatments target mites at all stages of their life cycle, helping to prevent reinfestation.

Make sure to follow the vet’s instructions closely and complete the full course of treatment, even if your cat stops showing signs of mites before you finish the treatment. If you need prescription-strength medications, BaxterBoo’sconvenient online pharmacy will fill it and ship it to your door. 

Prevent Reinfection

To prevent ear mites from returning, it’s important to thoroughly clean your cat’s environment. Wash their bedding, sanitize grooming tools, and vacuum frequently to remove any lingering mites. 

If you have multiple pets, treating all of them simultaneously can reduce the risk of re-infestation, even if the other pets don’t show symptoms. Keeping a regular ear-cleaning routine can also help keep future infestations at bay.

Learn How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats With BaxterBoo

Ear mites can be stressful for both you and your cat, but with prompt treatment and the right products, your cat can recover quickly. Contact BaxterBoo for advice, high-quality treats, and everything you need to keep your cat healthy!