By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Last updated: 30 October 2026
An occasional quick shake of the head is normal for a cat. Repeated head shaking, especially with scratching at the ears, is different. It is your cat's way of trying to get rid of something that is irritating or hurting the ear. Left alone, a simple ear problem can lead to a painful blood blister on the ear flap, a deep infection or even hearing and balance problems. The good news is that most causes respond well to treatment once a vet has found what is going on.
Key takeaways
- Frequent head shaking in cats almost always points to an ear problem.
- Ear mites are a common cause, particularly in kittens and outdoor cats, and they spread easily between pets.
- Other causes include bacterial or yeast infections, grass seeds, polyps, tumours and wounds from cat fights.
- A head tilt, loss of balance, walking in circles or changes in the eyes need a prompt vet visit.
- Over-the-counter ear drops are not a substitute for a vet check, because some treatments can harm the ear if the eardrum is damaged.
Signs to watch for
International Cat Care lists these signs of ear problems in cats:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at the ears or rubbing the head on furniture
- Redness, swelling or pain around the ear
- Discharge or a smell from the ears
- Crusty or ulcerated skin on the ear flaps
- Holding the head to one side
- Difficulty walking or walking in circles
- Changes in the eyes, such as different pupil sizes or a drooping eyelid
Common causes of head shaking in cats
Ear mites
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal. Cornell describes them as extremely contagious, passing from cat to cat on close contact, and most common in outdoor cats. They create a dark, gooey, smelly build-up of wax and debris in the ear. International Cat Care notes the mites are just visible to the naked eye as moving white specks. VCA adds that the same mite lives on dogs and ferrets, so other pets in the home can be affected too.
Ear infections (otitis externa)
VCA explains that the most common cause of outer ear infection in cats is actually ear mites, and that bacterial and yeast ear infections are less common in cats than in dogs. Infections often follow another problem, such as mites, a foreign body or a wound. The ear may become red and smelly, with black, brown or yellow discharge. VCA also notes that cats are normally resistant to ear infections, so repeated infections are a sign to look for an underlying cause, such as allergies or an unusually shaped ear canal.
Grass seeds and other foreign bodies
Grass seeds are more of a problem in dogs, but International Cat Care notes they can occasionally lodge in a cat's ear canal. A seed can cause sudden discomfort and needs a vet to find and remove it.
Polyps and tumours
Polyps are benign growths that can develop in the middle ear. VCA explains that they can grow into the ear canal, causing head shaking, pawing at the ear, a head tilt and discharge, or down towards the throat, causing snorting breathing and nasal discharge. They tend to affect younger cats, often under one year of age. In older cats, growths in the ear canal are more likely to be tumours, and International Cat Care notes that many of these are cancerous.
Wounds, skin disease and sun damage
Bite and scratch wounds from cat fights can damage the ear flap or form an abscess. Pale-eared cats in sunny places like Australia are prone to sun damage on the ear tips, which can progress to skin cancer.
Aural haematoma: a common complication
Vigorous shaking and scratching can burst a small blood vessel in the ear flap. Blood collects between the skin and cartilage, causing a soft, puffy swelling. International Cat Care and VCA both describe this as a consequence of ongoing ear disease. A haematoma needs veterinary treatment, along with the underlying ear problem.
When to see a vet
Book a vet visit within a day or two for frequent head shaking, ear scratching, discharge, smell or redness.
See a vet the same day if your cat:
- Has a head tilt, loses balance or walks in circles
- Has a swollen, puffy ear flap
- Is in obvious pain or will not let you touch the ear
- Started shaking its head violently and suddenly after being outdoors
- Has noisy, snorting breathing as well as ear signs
- Is also off food or unusually quiet
What you can do at home
- Look gently inside the ear flap for redness, discharge or debris, but do not push cotton buds or anything else into the canal.
- Do not use leftover drops or products from another pet. VCA warns some medicines can cause hearing loss if the eardrum is ruptured.
- If one pet has ear mites, ask your vet about checking and treating all cats and dogs in the home.
How vets diagnose and treat it
Your vet will look into the ear with an otoscope and check that the eardrum is intact. They usually take a swab of ear debris to look at under a microscope, which can show mites, bacteria or yeast. Very painful ears may need sedation for a proper look. X-rays or CT scans may be needed for middle ear disease or polyps.
Treatment depends on the cause. International Cat Care lists parasite control, medicated ear drops or tablets, pain relief, removal of foreign bodies and, for some conditions such as polyps, surgery. Cornell notes that cleaning the ears is often the first step so medicine can reach the mites. VCA states that nearly all diagnosed and treated ear infections in cats can be cured, though the outlook is less favourable if an underlying cause remains.
Prevention
- Keep up with routine parasite control that covers ear mites, as advised by your vet.
- Check your cat's ears regularly, especially kittens and outdoor cats.
- Use a pet-safe sunscreen on pale ears in warmer months, as International Cat Care suggests, and keep your cat inside in the middle of the day.
FAQ
Can I treat ear mites at home?
See your vet first. The signs of mites and ear infections look very similar, and your vet needs to check the eardrum before choosing a treatment. Once diagnosed, ongoing care can often be done at home with your vet's guidance.
Can humans catch ear mites from cats?
VCA notes that ear mites can occasionally cause a temporary itchy rash in people living with infested pets, but this is rare. Treating the pets resolves it. See your doctor if you have a rash.
Why is my cat shaking its head but its ears look clean?
The problem may be deeper in the canal, in the middle ear, or due to a polyp or foreign body. A vet exam with an otoscope is the only way to tell.
Talk with a vet
If your cat keeps shaking its head and you are not sure what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you work out how urgent it is and what to look for. If your cat has a head tilt, balance problems or a swollen ear flap, see your local vet in person soon. Related reading: ear mites in pets, cat ear infection and aural haematoma in cats and dogs. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- International Cat Care. Ear Problems in Cats.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Ear Mites: Tiny Critters that can Pose a Major Threat.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Ear Infections in Cats (Otitis Externa).
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Nasopharyngeal Polyps in Cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Ear Mites in Cats and Dogs.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.