Ear mites in cats

Recognise the signs

• Intense ear scratching — often breaking the skin or causing visible injury behind the ear
• Head shaking
• Dark brown or black crumbly debris in the ear canal — often described as looking like coffee grounds (a mixture of ear wax, blood, and mite debris)
• Redness and inflammation of the ear canal
• Unpleasant smell from the ears
• Mites are tiny (just visible to the naked eye as tiny white moving specks) and can sometimes be seen on the debris
• In severe or prolonged cases: crusting or scaling on ear flap margins, self-inflicted wounds from scratching, secondary bacterial infection

First aid steps

1. Do not attempt to clean deep inside the ear with cotton buds — this risks damage and pushes debris further in.
2. Gently clean visible debris from the outer ear flap only with a cotton pad.
3. Book a vet appointment — diagnosis should be confirmed under an otoscope before treatment, as other conditions (yeast infection, bacterial infection) can look similar.
4. Treat ALL pets in the household simultaneously — ear mites spread easily between cats and from cats to dogs.
5. Wash any bedding the affected cat uses on a hot cycle.
6. Prevent infected cats from sharing bedding or grooming stations with uninfected animals until all pets have been treated.

When it can usually wait

• Mild ear scratching with visible coffee-ground debris in an otherwise healthy cat — vet appointment within a few days is appropriate, not same-day emergency

Common causes

• Infestation with Otodectes cynotis — the ear mite — transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal
• Highly contagious between cats in the same household, and can spread to dogs
• Most common in kittens and young cats, and in multi-pet households
• Cats that go outdoors and have contact with other cats or animals
• Can occasionally cause skin irritation on the body (neck, rump, tail tip) if mites migrate out of the ears

What the vet will need to know

• How long has scratching or head shaking been present?
• What does the debris look like?
• Do you have other pets in the household?
• Have any other pets shown similar signs?
• What products are currently being used on your cat (flea, worming, ear treatments)?
• Is your cat primarily indoors or outdoors?

Aftercare

• Complete the full prescribed course of treatment — do not stop early even if signs appear to resolve. Malacetic Otic ear cleaner is a veterinary ear cleanser that helps restore normal ear pH — useful for ongoing ear hygiene between vet checks.
• Treat ALL cats and dogs in the household simultaneously, even if they show no signs.
• Wash all pet bedding, blankets, and soft furnishings on the hottest safe setting.
• Vacuum soft furniture and pet areas thoroughly.
• Follow-up vet appointment to confirm resolution and check for secondary infection.
• In households with persistent reinfestation, review outdoor access and contact with stray cats.
• Single-dose topical treatments (e.g. Milbemite, Stronghold, or Revolution) are highly effective — discuss options with your vet.

Prevention

• Regular veterinary flea and parasite prevention — some products (e.g. Stronghold/Revolution containing selamectin, Advocate containing imidacloprid/moxidectin) also cover ear mites. . A fine-toothed flea comb run through wet fur over white kitchen roll confirms or rules out fleas in under a minute.
• Limit contact with unknown or stray cats.
• Annual vet health checks to detect ear disease early.
• Check all new pets joining the household for ear mites before introducing them to resident animals.
• Regular ear inspection at home — normal cat ears should be pale pink inside with minimal visible wax and no odour.

Breed-specific notes

• Kittens and young cats are disproportionately affected — their immune systems are less effective at resisting infestation.
• Cats with larger, open ear canals (e.g. Devon Rex, Cornish Rex) may accumulate debris more visibly.
• No breed is immune — any cat with outdoor access or contact with other cats is at risk.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

• Aural polyp in cats