Ear Mites in Cats and Dogs: Signs and Treatment

At a glance

What it is	An infestation of tiny mites in the ear canal, causing irritation and inflammation
Who's at risk	Mainly kittens and puppies, outdoor cats, rescue animals and pets in multi-animal homes; ferrets can catch the same mite, and rabbits have their own type
Main signs	Scratching at ears, head shaking, dark brown wax that looks like coffee grounds, red or sore ears
Contagious?	Yes, very — between cats, dogs and ferrets through close contact
Can it be prevented?	Some regular parasite treatments also protect against ear mites; checking new pets helps too

What it is

The most common ear mite in cats and dogs is barely visible to the naked eye — a tiny white speck that moves. Mites live on the surface of the ear canal, feeding on wax, oils and skin debris. Their whole life cycle takes place on the animal, and they multiply quickly.

Their presence irritates the lining of the ear, which reacts by producing more wax and becoming inflamed. Some animals develop an allergic reaction to the mites themselves, making the itching worse. Mites occasionally wander out onto the head, neck and body, and the tail tip of cats that sleep curled up.

Ear mites spread by direct contact, for example when animals groom, play or sleep together. Mother cats and dogs often pass them to their litters, which is why they are so common in kittens. Mites survive only a short time off a host, but they can sometimes be passed on through shared bedding.

Ear mites are far more common in cats than in dogs, but a cat in the house can easily pass them to the family dog. They rarely affect people; on very rare occasions they can cause a temporary itchy rash on skin, which settles once pets are treated.

Signs to watch for

• Scratching at the ears, sometimes frantically
• Shaking the head or tilting it to one side
• Dark brown or black, dry, crumbly wax that looks like coffee grounds
• Red, inflamed ear canals or ear flaps
• Scratches, scabs or hair loss around the ears and on the head and neck
• An unpleasant smell from the ears, which suggests a secondary infection
• A swollen, puffy ear flap, which can be caused by a blood blister (aural haematoma) from vigorous head shaking

Ear mites are not the only cause of itchy ears. Bacterial and yeast infections, allergies, foreign bodies such as grass seeds, and growths in the ear canal can look similar. In adult dogs, ear problems are much more often caused by allergies or infection than mites. Our guide to ear infections in dogs and our article on head shaking explain more.

When to see a vet

Book an appointment if your pet is scratching their ears, shaking their head, or has dark or smelly discharge. It is important to get a proper diagnosis before treating, because the right treatment depends on the cause and the state of the eardrum.

Contact your vet promptly if your pet:

• Has a head tilt, loss of balance, circling or rapid flicking eye movements, which can mean the inner or middle ear is affected
• Has a hot, swollen ear flap
• Is in obvious pain, cries when the ear is touched or won't let you near the head
• Has bleeding, pus or a strong smell from the ear
• Is a very young kitten or puppy that seems unwell or isn't feeding well

How vets diagnose it

Your vet will look into the ear canals using an otoscope, a lighted magnifying instrument. Sometimes the moving mites can be seen directly. A sample of wax is usually taken on a swab and examined under a microscope to look for mites and their eggs, and to check for bacteria or yeast. Very sore ears may need examining under sedation.

Your vet will also check the eardrum where possible, because some ear treatments shouldn't be used if it is damaged.

Treatment and management

Ear mites are usually straightforward to treat:

• Antiparasitic treatment prescribed by your vet. Several types are available, including spot-on treatments applied to the skin and drops placed in the ears. Some need repeating to catch mites that hatch after the first dose.
• Treating all in-contact animals. Every cat, dog and ferret in the household should be treated at the same time, even if only one is showing signs. Otherwise, mites simply pass back and forth.
• Ear cleaning. Your vet may clean the ears or show you how to gently remove wax and debris with a suitable cleaner, which helps treatment reach the canal.
• Treating secondary problems such as bacterial or yeast infections, inflammation or an ear haematoma.

Don't use cotton buds deep in the ear canal, and avoid home remedies or old treatments left over from a previous pet. Some over-the-counter ear products are less effective, and some can be harmful if the eardrum is damaged. Use only products your vet recommends.

A recheck appointment is often advised to make sure the mites have gone and the ears have healed.

Living with it

Most pets recover fully within a few weeks of starting treatment. During and after treatment:

• Follow the treatment schedule exactly and complete every dose.
• Wash bedding to remove debris.
• Keep an eye on your pet's ears for any return of scratching or discharge.
• Check ears regularly as part of grooming — healthy ears should be pale pink with little wax and no strong smell. Our guide to grooming basics covers ear checks.

Prevention

• Ask your vet whether your pet's routine parasite prevention also protects against ear mites; some treatments cover several parasites. Our guide to fleas, ticks and worms explains routine parasite care.
• Have new kittens, puppies or rescue animals checked by a vet before they mix with your other pets.
• Keep up regular ear checks so problems are spotted early.

Breeds more at risk

There is no strong breed link with ear mites. Age and lifestyle matter more: kittens, puppies, rescue animals, outdoor cats and pets in busy multi-animal homes are most likely to be affected.