Cat Itchy Ears: What it Means & How to Treat It

Itchy ears are never a comforting sign for cat owners. While all cats experience the occasional itchy ear, persistent scratching may be a sign that your cat is dealing with a more serious ear problem. 

From cat food allergies to infections and ear mites, we’ll cover the most common causes of excessive ear scratching in cats so you can help your feline friend find relief from cat itchy ears.

 

Why Does My Cat Keep Scratching Its Ears?

Cats may develop chronically itchy ears for many reasons, which is why it’s important that they go to the vet to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. But since well-informed is well-armed, we’ll prepare you for your vet visit with information on the most common causes of excessive ear scratching.

 

Common Symptoms of Cat Itchy Ears

Since our cats can’t tell us when something is wrong, we have to rely on non-verbal signs to know if they’re in discomfort or distress. Common symptoms of ear problems in cats include:

• Excessive scratching
• Head shaking
• Head tilting
• Excessive rubbing of their face or ear on furniture or carpets
• Sensitivity if their ears are touched (more than usual, if your cat normally doesn’t like their ears touched)
• Unusual odors
• Ear discharge or debris
• Thickened or swollen ear flap or other ear tissue
• Decreased appetite
• Depression
• Irritability

 

Common Causes of Ear Scratching In Cats

Let’s explore common causes of ear scratching in cats.

Allergies

Both food allergies and environmental allergens such as pollen can lead to itchy ears. With environmental allergies, a cat’s immune system reacts to the presence of allergens by creating a physical reaction like itching. 

If food allergies are the source of the problem, your vet will help you identify the allergy with a food trial. Oftentimes, the best foods for cats with allergies are limited-ingredient meals, specifically made to avoid the most common food allergies. KOHA offers a line of hypoallergenic cat food, with limited ingredients, to help your cat avoid foods that may cause an allergic reaction.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are another possible cause of itchy ears in cats, especially for kittens. Ear mites are tiny parasites that live inside and around cat ears, irritating your cat and causing them to shake their heads and scratch their ears and head. 

You might be able to see the mites yourself. If you see something that looks like coffee grounds in your cat’s ears, take out a chunk, put it on a dark background, and look for white specks, about the size of a pinhead, moving around. But remember to schedule a veterinarian visit so your vet can confirm the diagnosis and provide treatment!

Infections

Bacteria and yeast, which are naturally present in your cat’s ears, can sometimes grow and cause bacterial or fungal infections. Warm, dark, and moist environments (like ears) can often accelerate the growth of bacteria and yeast, and if your cat gets water trapped in their ear canal, that could also speed up bacterial growth.

Infections often have similar symptoms as ear mite infestations, but infections look a bit different. Oftentimes an infected outer ear looks red and swollen and has a foul-smelling odor. If the infection is in the middle or inner ear, your cat may exhibit: 

• Lethargy
• Drooling from the side of the mouth
• Decreased appetite
• Squinting
• Drooping on one side of the face
• Abnormal eye movements
• Unequal pupil sizes
• Difficulty walking, or
• Poor hearing.

If an infection is the cause of your cat’s distress, your vet will examine a sample from the ears to determine the type of infection so they can prescribe the correct treatment. Middle and inner ear infections may require X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.

Foreign Objects 

Foreign bodies and objects can sometimes get lodged in your cat’s ears, especially if they are an outdoor cat. Foreign objects can include seeds, grass, trapped hair or debris, and even ticks. If this is the cause of your cat’s itchy ears, they will likely shake their head and paw near the location.

If you see the object sticking out, you can try to pull it out gently with tweezers or your fingers, but be careful. If there is any resistance as you pull, or if your cat is uncomfortable, stop immediately. Schedule a visit to the vet, who can remove the foreign body while your cat is sedated and examine the ear for damage.

Injuries 

Cats may scratch at their ears if they’ve suffered from injuries like bites or scratches, whether from playing or fighting. These attacks can cause lacerations, punctures, and other wounds and possibly lead to infection. Ear-related trauma may also lead to aural hematomas, which are blood- or fluid-filled pockets on the inside of the ear flap.

Minor cuts can often heal with at-home treatment, like carefully cleaning the area with a diluted povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine antiseptic solution a few times a day. If your cat’s wound does not heal, or if they suffer a more serious wound, you should take them to see their vet.

 

How to Treat Your Cat’s Itchy Ears 

The most important step for helping your cat recover from itchy ears is to consult your veterinarian. They’ll confirm the diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment for the underlying cause of your cat’s itchy ears.

To help you prepare, we’ll explore some of the most common treatments for various ear problems in cats.

1. Switch to Food for Cats With Allergies

If food allergies are the cause of your cat’s itchy ears, diet changes are the gold standard for treatment and prevention. The dietary changes necessary for your cat to find relief include eliminating common allergens from their food. Oftentimes, vets will recommend protein sources your cat hasn’t tried before to get them away from their typical diet.

Dietary changes as a course of treatment take time, patience, and careful attention. Your vet will likely recommend trying a new diet for about six to eight weeks, and you may need to try another diet if you see no changes. 

KOHA offers a line of food for cats with allergies, with a variety of protein options and minimal ingredients in each meal. Treat your cat to tasty new meals free from junky fillers and common allergens!

2. Ear Cleaning

If your cat is suffering from ear mites or infection, they may need an ear cleaning. You should always consult your veterinarian before attempting to clean your cat’s ears yourself, especially since there may be an underlying condition that needs treatment. The vet may recommend an in-office cleaning, but there are some home remedies and cleaning techniques known to help cats find relief from itch.

If you clean your cat’s ears at home, try the following steps:

• Enlist a friend to help you keep your cat still and avoid damaging their ear.
• Find an appropriate cleaner for your cat’s particular issue, as infections, ear mites, sensitive ears, and more all require different types of cleaners.
• Gather supplies, including cotton balls, towels, ear wash, and tweezers.
• Apply a few drops of cleaner or medication and rub the earflap together from the outside. Gently use the dropper of the wash or medication to apply a few drops deeper inside their ear. Do not push too far.
• Massage your cat’s ear for about 30 seconds to distribute the medication or wash.
• If your cat shakes its head and releases some of the wash or medication, use cotton balls or a towel to clean up the residue.

3. Antibiotics

For ear infections or ear mites, your vet may prescribe antibiotics, anti-parasitics, or antifungals in the form of ointments or ear drops to administer at home. For infections that have reached the middle ear, the vet may suggest oral or injectable antibiotics. 

If you are provided ear drops, lift your cat’s ear flap gently and drop the prescribed amount into the ear canal. To help the medicine get into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear.

 

More Cat Itchy Ears Questions Answered

Cat itchy ears can be nerve wracking, especially if you’ve never treated it before. Here are some answers to common questions about itchy ears in cats to help you feel prepared.

Can an indoor cat get ear mites? 

Ear mites are highly contagious, so your cat can get them if they are exposed to another animal that has them. Outdoor cats are more likely to get ear mites due to their exposure to the outdoors and infected animals, but that doesn’t mean that indoor cats are immune. 

If your cats aren’t up-to-date on their monthly preventative medications (like flea and tick medication), they are more likely to develop ear mites if exposed to an animal who already has them.

Can humans get ear mites from cats?

Ear mites usually don’t spread from cats to humans. If your cat has ear mites, however, the mites may jump onto your skin and bite it, causing a rash. You should see your doctor if you experience the following symptoms around the same time as your cat has ear mites:

• Itchiness
• Redness around your ear
• Dark-colored ear wax
• Irritation of the ear

If left untreated, ear mite infections can lead to tinnitus or even hearing loss due to damage of the ear canal.

If your cat has ear mites, avoid sharing furniture with them during treatment, keep other pets away from the infected cat, and sanitize and wash bedding, toys, and other items your cat uses regularly.

How can I tell if my cat's ear itching is serious?

All cats scratch their ears from time to time. Even a few daily scratches generally aren’t cause for concern. But if your cat continues to scratch their ears frequently or exhibit other symptoms like head shaking, unusual odors, redness, swelling, or changes in behavior, make an appointment with your vet. They can determine whether your cat’s itchy ears are a result of something more serious.

When should I take my cat to the vet for itchy ears?

Run-of-the-mill scratching doesn’t require a vet visit, but if your pet scratches themselves more than usual, or if they have other symptoms on top of excessive scratching, you should take them to the vet. 

Sometimes cats exhibit some downright weird behaviors that are actually normal. But you know your pet best, so if you notice they’re behaving differently from their norm on top of excessive scratching, it may be time to seek medical advice.

 

Treat Your Cat’s Itchy Ears 

We know you want what’s best for your cat. If you’ve ruled out infections, ear mites, and other possible underlying conditions that cause itchy ears, it may be time to look at their diet. Food allergies cause upsetting physical conditions and cause stress for you and your cat, so it’s important to address their diet as soon as possible. 

KOHA is here to help you both. Their delicious limited-ingredient meals, free from junky fillers and common allergens, make dietary changes easy and enjoyable. Your cat will love their new meals, and you’ll both enjoy relief from cat itchy ears.