Common Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Cats
Ear mites in cats cause predictable symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Red, itchy ears
- Black ear discharge that looks like coffee grounds
- Incessant head shaking
- Incessant ear scratching
A cat infected with ear mites is miserable some cats will scratch their ears hard enough to cause bleeding and scabbing. If left untreated, ear mite infestations can seriously damage the ear canal and lead to secondary bacterial and yeast infections.
Even if Dr. Google says your cat has ear mites, take her to a veterinarian for confirmation. Your veterinarian she will take a swab of the debris in your cats ear, put it on a slide and look at it under the microscope. Ear mites and their eggs are easily detectable under a microscope.
Life Cycle Of Ear Mites
Unlike many pests that drop their eggs, mites fulfill their entire life cycle while attached to your pet. This life cycle takes about 3-4 weeks in total, going through 5 different stages:
The complete mite life cycle takes approximately 21 days, and a female adult mite can lay 5 or more eggs per day, allowing them to populate and potentially spread very quickly.
Home Remedies For Cats With Ear Mites
According to Dr. McCullough, there are no home remedies that treat ear mites in cats. While your cat recovers, make them comfortable by following the vetâs instructions and, under their guidance, clean your catâs ear by removing debris as much as possible.
We understand the hype around hanging out with your cat all the time, but ear mites shouldnât have that opportunity. Constant itching can cause scratches, redness or bumps to your catâs ears, so itâs important to talk to your veterinarian as soon as you spot the signs of ear mites in cats.
You May Like: Bubble Popping Noise In Ear Treatment
Properties Of Essential Oils
While you shouldnt give your cat a shot of an essential oil undiluted, a few drops of the right blend can be very helpful in easing your cats discomfort and speeding up recovery.
Listed below are some examples of essential oils and their use on cats.
Cats have less ability to metabolize plants than humans do.
Hence, they are more sensitive to many plant compounds and chemicals, including impure essential oils.
Always check with your veterinarian first to make sure your cat is healthy enough to receive essential oils.
Aside from essential oils, you can use baking soda as a litter box powder.
One study has shown that essential oils can effectively kill mites.
Acaricidal activity is related to the concentration of volatile components in the oil.
A few hours later, the mortality rate dropped to under 10%.
Moreover, diluted essential oils can be a natural alternative to harsh chemicals used to treat ear mites.
Another effective natural remedy for mites in cats is coconut oil.
This oil is known for its many health benefits, including lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing the incidence of weight gain, and killing bacteria and viruses.
Olive oil is also effective against ear mites because of its strong antibacterial properties.
Home remedies are another popular alternative.
While most natural treatments do work in some cases, they are not effective in every case.
They can take a long time to cure mites in cats.
And they are also very cost-effective.
Arava Natural Ear Mite Treatment
Arava Botanical Ear Mite Treatment is made from 9 different products that are all-natural as well as 26 Dead Sea minerals. If youre interested in using a product with natural ingredients, this is the only product on our list that is all-natural. Arava does provide a 30-day money-back guarantee if you arent happy with your purchase.
Mixed results, however, come with this formula as it is made up of a number of essential oils that arent necessarily safe for animals. Cinnamon and peppermint can be toxic for pets in large doses, and this product contains both of these oils. If used sparingly, they should be okay, but they have been known to cause irritation in the cats ears. The scent of peppermint is also known to be off-putting to cats, so this product might also be difficult to use if your cat doesnt like the scent.
- Scent may be off-putting for most cats
You May Like: Blue Tooth Ear Buds For Iphone
Helping Kittens With Ear Mites
If a kitten is scratching at her ears, or shaking her head from side to side, it’s possible that the kitten has ear mites. Ear mites are a microscopic pest that is transmitted from animal to animal, and they can cause a dark, waxy residue that resembles coffee grounds in the ear canal. Though ear mites are extremely small, their movement can be perceived with magnification. If you see or suspect ear mites, you’ll need to bring the kitten to a veterinarian for treatment.
Ear mites are treated through a 2 step process that involves cleaning out the ears and applying a topical treatment that kills the mites. To clean, use an ear cleansing solution to remove as much of the dirt, wax, and residue as possible. Do so by placing a few drops of the solution into the ear, then gently rubbing the ear for 10-15 seconds to allow the solution to break up the discharge. Use a dry cotton ball or gauze pad to gently swab the moist residue out of the ear and repeat as needed.
Once the ear is cleaned out, apply the medication prescribed by your veterinarian, such as Revolution Depending on the severity of the mites, you may need to repeat treatment a number of times. Talk to your veterinarian about what treatment is right for the specific kitten!
Diagnosing Ear Mites In Cats
The diagnosis of ear mites is confirmed when the mites are found in a sample of the ear discharge examined under a microscope. Sometimes the mites can even be seen as little white specks moving around in the ear .
Confirming the presence of the mites is necessary to distinguish ear mites from other ear infections, such as yeast infections, so don’t try to diagnose them at home. Always consult a veterinarian before beginning any course of treatment.
You May Like: Throat Exercises For Sleep Apnea
Those Cute Ears Shouldn’t Be Irritated
minute read
Cats are master groomers, so if you notice that your petâs ears are irritated and itchy, dirt may not be the problem â but, ear mites could be.
Ear mites, which are highly contagious arachnids that live on cats’ skin and in their ear canals, can cause extreme itchiness, among other symptoms. Hereâs everything you need to know about how ear mites impact cats â and how to prevent them altogether. â
Best Natural: Arava Natural Ear Mite Treatment
If youre trying to avoid chemical ingredients like Ivermectin, this all-natural formula from Arava could be a good option. It contains 9 natural ingredients and 26 Dead Sea minerals to safely and naturally resolve your cats ear mite infection.
This formula contains natural pest-repelling ingredients like lemongrass and peppermint along with natural antibacterial and antifungal ingredients like thyme, cinnamon, and eastern red cedar. Because it doesnt contain any hazardous chemicals, its completely safe for pets and can be used around children.
The thing to remember with this product is that continued use is required for maximum efficacy. Aruva recommends applying the product every 2 days for at least 10 days. Many customers noticed a difference in their cats right away, though some found it didnt work or dried out their cats ears.
Read Also: Symptoms Of Fluid In Ears
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Has Ear Mites Or Just Dirty Ears
There are a few ways to determine if your cat has ear mites or just dirty ears. One way is to clean inside your cats ears and then wait a few days. A cats ears wont get full of brown-black discharge unless they have ear mites.
Your veterinarian can confirm presence of ear mites with an otoscopic exam or an ear mite scan under the microscope.
Cat Ear Mites Vs Yeast Or Bacterial Infection
Although ear mite infestations are the most common cause of ear irritation seen in cats, its possible for your cat to develop a yeast or bacterial infection in her ears. It can be difficult to differentiate between an ear mite infestation and a yeast or bacterial ear infection.
The symptoms of an ear mite infestation and other types of ear infections are very similarscratching at the ears, shaking the head, and a buildup of debris in the ears. Also, cats can have both an ear mite infestation and a bacterial and/or yeast ear infection at the same time, so microscopic examination of any ear discharge by a veterinarian helps assure appropriate treatment.
Recommended Reading: Can’t Breathe Through Nose When Lying Down
How To Recognize And Treat Mites On Your Cat
Recognizing mites and knowing how to treat them is important to the health of your cat.
Recognizing mites and knowing how to treat them is important to the well being of your pet cat. The mites themselves are a big problem however, the real danger is your cat scratching itself in an attempt to relieve the itching. This repeated scratching can result in a number of deep wounds, as the itching becomes much more relentless.
Along with the worry for your pet’s health, there are also the serious health ramifications for individuals living alongside suffering animals. Mites can only thrive when given a host to feed off, but this also means that they can travel from one host to another. This means that you and other people or animals in your household are prone to catching the mites and suffering from the same problems as your cat.
Treating Ear Mites In Cats
If ear mites are the cause of your cats itchy ears, there are different ways to rid your cat of these annoying bugs. The fastest and most effective are some newer parasite-killing medications available from veterinarians, some of which can clear ear mite infestations with a single dose.
All options for treating ear mites in cats start with a thorough cleaning of the ears. Once wax, crusty discharge, and other debris is clear in the ear, medication may include one-time or repeated use to get rid of the infestation and prevent another one.
If there’s damage or inflammation in the ear, your veterinarian may recommend other medicine to bring down swelling and fight off infections caused by damage from your cat’s scratching at her ears.
You May Like: Ears Ringing When I Wake Up
How To Prevent Ear Mites In Cats
Arranging a monthly checkup and ear cleaning with your vet will help to keep ear mites from gaining a foothold. Set yourself a bi-weekly reminder to clean your cat’s kennel, bedding and your house to reduce the risk of an infection occurring at home. Your vet at LakeCross Veterinary Hospital can recommend parasite prevention products for your cat.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Signs & Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Cats
While ear mites themselves are almost invisible to the naked eye, cats with ear mites exhibit a distinctive discharge that often resembles coffee grounds.
While ear mites themselves are almost invisible to the naked eye, cats with ear mites exhibit a distinctive discharge. This discharge may be an early clue that you should have your veterinarian check your cat or kitten for ear mites.
Ear mite infestations have a characteristic dark, thick, smelly ear gunk, which consists of ear wax and debris. This debris contains live mites, dead mites, mite eggs, and dried blood. This brown, grainy discharge often resembles coffee grounds.
Some bacterial or yeast ear infections produce similar discharge, so confirmation of the presence of ear mites by your cats veterinarian is important for proper treatment. Your veterinarian will use a microscope to positively identify the mites.
If youre curious, you can Google pictures of ear mites in cats for some images of cats with ear mites. Fair warning: ear mite infestations in cats are not pretty!
Ear mite infestations are extremely uncomfortable for your cat. The mites cause severe itching and pain. Some cats with severe, chronic infestations can even develop weight loss or neurologic symptoms.
Symptoms of ear mite infestation in cats include:
- Copious dark, bad-smelling debris in the ear
- Crusty or scabby ears
Read Also: Lump In The Back Of The Throat
What Does An Ear Mite Look Like In Cats
Ear mites in cats appear as very small and moving dots or specks.
Because of their tiny size, they may not even be detectable by the naked eye. Under magnification , these tiny parasites are like eight-legged and crab-like creatures.
Cats with ear mite infestations will produce copious amounts of specific ear wax that is black and tarry and is usually described as coffee grounds.
How Does The Vet Treat Ear Mites
Once the vet has determined that a cat has ear mites, they will have you treat all other animals in the household as well, and youll need to thoroughly clean the house.
Before treating, youll need to clean your cats ears well with an ear cleaner or a natural ear cleaner that are designed for pets. This is to remove as many of the ear mites as possible before treatment. Most ear mite treatments are typically a parasiticide with the ingredient pyrethrin, which you can buy without a prescription online or at your local pet store.
You place a specific number of drops in each of your cats ears and massage them in. This continues for 7 to 10 days and is only repeated when necessary.
Mites and fleas tend to flock together, so your cat should be treated for fleas as well. Always double-check your cats tail because the tail tends to lie close to their heads and ears.
Ear mites are parasites that if left untreated, will not only cause significant discomfort for your cat but can also lead to bacterial infections and eventually, either partial or total hearing loss.
Recommended Reading: Gargling Salt Water Sore Throat
What Do Ear Mites In A Cat Look Like
Ear mites are tiny, so seeing one on its own is difficult. Instead, look for a brownish to black crumbly substance that resembles dirt or coffee grounds in your cats ears. If you have difficulty seeing inside your cats ears and suspect mites, your veterinarian can use their otoscope to see inside, or they can take a swab of the ear and examine the sample under a microscope.
Ear Mite Treatment For Cats
Its important to bring your cat to the veterinarian if she exhibits any ear problems. Left untreated, an ear mite infestation can cause serious damage to the cats ear canal, especially if the cat develops a secondary bacterial infection.
Untreated ear infections are not only very painful, but they can cause hearing loss and balance problems due to loss of equilibrium. Your vet will do a full physical exam and look into your cats ears with an instrument called an otoscope.
The veterinarian will also collect a sample of the ear debris with a swab to be looked at under a microscope to determine the root cause of the problem and what treatment is needed.
Read More: 5 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Cats
Recommended Reading: Antibiotics For Ear Infection In Adults
Symptoms Of Ear Mites In Cats
Because ear mites are so irritating to cats, an infected cat will often try to remove them itself. If a cat is displaying any of the following symptoms, there is a good chance that it is hosting ear mites:
- Near-constant scratching of the ears
- Hair loss in and around the ears
- Brown discharge of the ears that looks similar to coffee grounds
- Strong, unpleasant odor coming from the ears
- Inflammation of the ear
- Dark red scratches or scabs in and around the ear
Determining If Your Cat Has Ear Mites
Recommended Reading: Beats Solo 3 Ear Pads
Apply Topical Treatment If Recommended
Injection or single-use treatments are usually performed by the vet, but if your vet recommends a topical treatment, youll probably treat your cat at home. Most topical treatments are applied daily for a few days to a few weeks. Put a few drops into your cats ears every day as prescribed by the vet.
Home Remedy For Cat Ear Mites
Natural treatments are quite popular, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to show the effectiveness of natural home remedies for cat ear mites. Like most natural remedies, they are effective in most cases, but its not a guaranteed cure for every case of ear mites.
The best part about home remedies is not just that they are natural and free of chemicals its also usually that they are made of ingredients that you probably already have at home. In some situations, a natural remedy may not always be the right solution.
If you are dealing with a severe infestation or secondary complications of ear mites, then talk to your vet about all of the treatment options to make sure you choose the safest one for your kitty.
Lets take a look at 3 of the most popular home remedies for ear mites in cats:
Treating Ear Mites in Cats Olive Oil
One of the most well-known and effective natural home remedies for ear mites in cats is olive oil. It seems almost too simple to be true, but it is!
Applying small amounts of olive oil to your cats ear to basically suffocate the ear mites, prevent them from latching onto the skin, and make it easier to remove the mites and eggs by wiping your cats ears out with a makeup pad or soft washcloth.
The oil will also act as a soothing agent for the itchy reaction and will help to moisturize the skin and promote speedy healing.
Essential Oils for Cat Ear Mites
Here are a few essential oils that mites hate:
Apple Cider Vinegar for Ear Mites in Cats
Read Also: Losing Voice With Sore Throat