By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Ear infections are less common in cats than in dogs, so when a cat starts shaking its head and scratching at one ear, there is often a specific reason behind it. In kittens it is usually ear mites, which leave dark, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds. In young adult cats a benign growth called an inflammatory polyp can block the ear canal. In older cats, tumours of the ear canal become more likely. An infection that reaches the middle or inner ear can cause a head tilt, loss of balance, and a droopy eyelid. This guide covers the signs, why the cause matters, and how vets treat ear infections in cats.
Key takeaways
- Head shaking, scratching, odour, discharge, and redness are the most common signs.
- Ear mites, polyps, allergies, foreign material, and tumours are typical underlying causes.
- A head tilt, loss of balance, flickering eyes, or a droopy eyelid suggests deeper infection and needs prompt care.
- Do not put drops or cleaners in your cat's ear until a vet has checked the eardrum. Some products can damage the inner ear if the eardrum is broken.
- Treating only the infection, without finding the cause, often leads to repeat infections.
Signs of an ear infection in cats
- Scratching or pawing at one or both ears
- Head shaking or holding one ear lower
- Brown, black, yellow, or bloody discharge
- A bad smell from the ear
- Redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal
- Pain when the ear is touched, or hiding
- Scabs around the ear and neck from scratching
- Head tilt, circling, or loss of balance (middle or inner ear involvement)
Common causes
- Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis): very itchy, highly contagious between cats and dogs, and common in kittens.
- Inflammatory polyps: benign growths from the middle ear, most often in young cats, sometimes causing a one-sided infection that keeps returning.
- Allergies: environmental or food allergies can inflame the ear canal.
- Foreign material: grass seeds and plant material, especially in outdoor cats.
- Tumours: ceruminous gland tumours in older cats.
- Bacteria and yeast: usually take advantage of an existing problem rather than starting one.
What to do right now
- Look into the ear with a torch and note the colour of any discharge and which ear is affected.
- Prevent scratching injuries by trimming nails or using a soft cone if your vet suggests it.
- Do not use cotton buds inside the ear canal, as they push debris deeper and can damage the eardrum.
- Do not use dog ear products, hydrogen peroxide, or oils in your cat's ear.
- Check other pets for ear mites if they share a home.
When to see a vet
Emergency or same day: a sudden head tilt, falling over, flickering eyes, vomiting with loss of balance, facial drooping, a very swollen or painful ear, or a cat that is not eating.
Within a few days: head shaking, scratching, discharge, or odour without balance problems.
Book a check: ear problems that keep returning after treatment.
How vets typically diagnose and treat
Your vet will examine the ear with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum, and will usually take a swab to look at under the microscope. This shows mites, yeast, or bacteria and guides treatment. Recurring infections may need a culture, sedation for deep cleaning, or imaging such as CT to look at the middle ear. Treatment often involves ear medicines suited to the cause and to the state of the eardrum, sometimes with other medicines for pain or deeper infection. Polyps are usually removed. Ear mites require treating all in-contact pets.
Prevention
- Check your cat's ears weekly. Healthy ears are pale pink with little wax and no smell.
- Use a broad parasite product that covers ear mites if your vet recommends it.
- Keep new kittens separate until they are checked for mites.
- Only clean ears if your vet advises it, using a cat-safe product.
- Protect white ear tips from strong sun, which can cause skin cancer.
For a broader look at ear conditions, see common ear problems in cats. Dogs get ear infections differently, as described in dog ear infection symptoms.
FAQ
Can a cat ear infection go away on its own?
Mild irritation sometimes settles, but true infections and mites usually need treatment. Untreated infections can spread deeper into the ear.
Are ear mites contagious to people?
Rarely. They mainly spread between cats, dogs, and ferrets.
Why does my cat keep getting infections in one ear?
A one-sided, recurring infection often points to something in that ear, such as a polyp, foreign body, or growth. Ask your vet about further investigation.
Will my cat's head tilt go away?
Many cats improve with treatment, but some keep a mild tilt. Most adapt well.
Talk with a vet
If your cat is scratching its ears and you are unsure how urgent it is, a vet at Dial A Vet can review photos or video and help you plan. A sudden head tilt or loss of balance should be seen in person promptly.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Otitis externa, media, and interna in cats.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Ear disorders in cats.
- International Cat Care. Ear mites and ear disease.
- WSAVA. Dermatology and ear disease resources.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination by a veterinarian. Do not place products in the ear before the eardrum has been checked.
