Infections and mites are common cat ear problems. Knowing the symptoms and what you can do to treat and prevent cat ear infections will keep your kitty happy and pain-free.
Cats rely on an acute sense of hearing for communication, hunting, and navigating their environment. Because hearing is essential for cats, pet parents must pay special attention to ear health. Two of the most common problems that can impact feline ear health include infections and mites, which can cause inflammation, discomfort, and hearing loss if untreated. Let’s learn more about cat ear infections and ear mites, including signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
What Are Ear Mites?
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that feed on wax in your cat’s ear, stimulating the glands that produce wax. Young kittens and puppies are particularly vulnerable due to their weaker and developing immune systems, but cats of all ages can get ear mites. Untreated, ear mites can also lead to infections.
Ear mites are highly contagious. In homes with multiple animals, check all your fur babies and sanitize bedding and floors if one animal has them.
Cats Can Get Different Types of Ear Infections
Another issue that affects cat ear health is bacterial or fungal (yeast) infections, and they’re highly irritating and extremely painful. The most common infection is otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear canal. Untreated, the infection can move to the middle and inner ears. Ear infections don’t resolve on their own, and if they’re not treated, they can cause damage to the ear drum, hearing loss or deafness, and facial paralysis.
Signs and Symptoms of Cat Ear Infections and Ear Mites
A healthy inner ear and ear canal should be light pink. A small amount of light/medium brown ear wax is expected, but these signs indicate your cat might have an ear infection or ear mites:
- Excess ear wax or an accumulation of dark brown wax
- Brownish/grey greasy discharge
- Discharge that looks like coffee grounds
- Red and/or swollen ears with heat around the ears
- Foul odor or a yeast-like smell
- Itchy ears and shaking of the head
- Scratching the ears, head, and neck
- Drooping on one side of the face
- Squinting or abnormal eye movements
- Difficulty walking or hearing
Managing Ear Mites and Ear Infections with Banixx Pet Care
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, take your cat to the veterinarian for an examination. The veterinarian may clean the ears, take a swab, and prescribe an anti-parasitic, antibiotic, or antifungal.
On top of that, you can use Banixx Pet Care as a cat ear infection home remedy to soothe and treat fungal/yeast infections and the irritation caused by mites. It’s also a powerful but gentle ear cleaner you can use regularly to prevent cat ear infections.
And the best part is how easy it is to use Banixx Pet Care! Simply moisten a cotton ball with the spray and gently apply it to the opening of the ear. Hold it there until the ear is moist and then massage your cat’s ear. Repeat two or three times daily for relief and good ear hygiene.
Jane DeMeulemester is co-owner of Banixx. Jane and her husband Robert own and operate the business in Pinehurst, NC. Jane is in charge of the Digital Marketing Department which includes multiple blog posts about the health and wellbeing of dogs, cats and horses. Jane and Robert own a farm in nearby Southern Pines which houses multiple cats, dogs and horses In her spare time she trains and competes her two horses in the discipline of Eventing.
Banixx has been making top quality, non-toxic pet-care products since 2006. All Banixx products are produced in the USA and bottled using only American-made components. Chosen by Horse Journal as the “Top Product Of The Year,” Banixx products fight infections associated with wounds, fungus, rain rot, ringworm, hot spots, dog ear infections, scratches (mud fever), abscesses, thrush, white line disease, bacterial and fungal infections, and secondary infections from bug bites and itches. Banixx is recommended by Veterinarians as a top-quality, affordable product. It’s available online or in your favorite feed or chain store. To learn more, visit Banixx.com.