Ear mites in cats are a fairly common ailment. They can cause your cat a significant amount of discomfort, and in some cases, damage your cat’s hearing.

If left untreated, they can lead to secondary bacterial and yeast infections. Over time, some cats seem to develop immunity to mites, so younger cats with developing immune systems are more likely to to be afflicted. Cats with weakened immune systems are at higher risk as well.

What are they? — Mites are the most common cause of outer-ear inflammation in cats. They are tiny crab-like parasites that typically live in and around a cat’s ears, and also on the head. In more extreme cases, they can cause a rupture of the ear drum, and may lead to deafness and even seizures.

Younger cats are typically more bothered by mites than older cats, which may be due to the immunity that can develop over time.

Symptoms of mites — The most common symptoms of ear mites in cats are head shaking and excessive scratching of the ears. The most obvious sign is a build up of dry, black wax that often resembles coffee grounds.

Secondary bacterial infection is not uncommon with mites, and some cats may experience hair loss around the ears as well. The waxy build up may cause additional irritation in the ear.

In more severe cases, excessive scratching may cause ulceration at the back of the ear. This may lead to permanent disfigurement.

Treating mites — To avoid damage to the ear, treatment for ear mites in cats should be done by a veterinarian and begins with cleaning out the ears.

Mineral oil may be used to soften the wax. Flushing out the ears removes a large number of mites and dislodges the wax at the same time.

Once the ears have been flushed out, an ear mite treatment can be used. While they may be effective at eradicating mites, over-the-counter remedies will typically take longer than those provided by your veterinarian. Flea control medication is often used to prevent a recurrence of infestation by any mites that have migrated to other parts of the body.

Since ear mites in cats can also be spread to humans and dogs, it is necessary to take some precautions. Physical contact with affected cats should be limited. In more difficult cases, your veterinarian may administer “off-label” drugs. This is a very treatable condition, although treatment may take some time in more severe instances.