Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 10 years in veterinary medicine, she specializes in the concept of “one health,” which uses insights from veterinary medicine to help human medical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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While your cat may occasionally scratch at its ears to relieve a stray itch or irritation, excessive or persistent scratching can be a sign that your cat has a medical problem. If you spot an infection or trauma to the ears, either caused by disease or the itching itself, you should get the cat veterinary treatment. A veterinarian will be able to assess the health of your cat's ears, give you a diagnosis, and suggest treatment options. With a little help from your veterinarian, your cat can have its irritation cleared up and its excessive itching should end quickly.
Steps
Have the cat seen by a veterinarian. If your cat is scratching its ears a lot, if you spot signs of infection, or if the cat's itching has caused it to injure itself, then it needs veterinary care. Make an appointment with your veterinarian and take the cat in. Discuss the cat's symptoms with the veterinarian and allow them to do an exam.
Have the cat's ears cleaned. Your veterinarian may suggest that the cat get its ears cleaned at the veterinary office or by you at home. If you are told to clean them at home, your veterinarian should give you very clear instructions and they should provide you with cleaner or the name of a product they recommend.- Use a specific cleaner made for cats’ ears. Clean very carefully, as cleaning that is too rough can damage the cat's eardrums or inner ear. Never stick a cotton swab or any other item into your cat’s ear canal.
- Don’t clean your cat’s ears before taking it to the vet. The vet may need to get a sample of the discharge to determine the cause of the itching.
- In some cases, cleaning the cat's ears will remove the dirt and debris that was causing irritations, and thus will be all that is needed to treat the itching.
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Allow veterinary procedures to be performed. If your veterinarian has found polyps or other growths in your cat's ear, they are likely to suggest removal. This type of surgical procedure will require that your cat be put under anesthesia and it will need pre and post surgery care from you.- Other procedures your cat may have to undergo at the veterinary office include removal of foreign bodies and stitches to close up wounds or trauma.[2]
Put drops in your cat's ears. If you are told to put medicated drops into your cat's ears as part of its treatment, you will need to take care when applying them. Hold your cat on your lap and gently fold back one of its ears with one of your hands. Then use your other hand to quickly drop the prescribed number of drops into your cat's ear. Once the drops are in, fold the ear all the way back over to close up the ear and hold on to your cat.- Once the drops are in your cat's ears, you need to be quick about closing up the ear canal and holding onto your cat. If the cat gets away, it will shake its head a lot, which will dislodge the medicine from the ear canal.
Follow additional treatment suggestions. In addition to drops, your veterinarian may prescribe other medications and provide suggestions for care during recovery. Follow these directions so that your cat cat make a speedy recovery.[3]- In many cases, you will need to put a cone on your cat to prevent it from itching its ears and further injuring itself.
- Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics in addition to medicated drops if your cat's infection is especially bad or it has traveled beyond the cat's ears.
Watch for excessive scratching. Cats normally scratch their ears to ease minor itches or irritations. They may also rub on their ears as they clean them, licking their paws and then rubbing their paws on their ears. However, there is a difference between itching normally and excessive itching. If you notice that your cat is constantly itching its ears, then you should assess the ears for potential problems.- A cat that is itching its ears constantly, and damaging the skin around the ears, may have an ear issue that needs veterinary care.
Inspect your cat's ears. Once you notice that your cat is spending a lot of time scratching its ears, you should do an inspection of the ears. Hold your cat in your lap or go down to its level. While petting it and keeping it calm, you should look closely at the outside of your cat's ears. Then gently fold back the cat's ears and look inside them.[4]- Make sure there is no redness, scabbing, or flaky skin on the inside or the outside of the ear.
- A cat's ears are usually covered in fur on the outside but the inside has less fur. You should be able to see a lot of healthy pink skin in the inside of the ear.
Look for additional symptoms of ear disease. While inspecting your cat's ears you should be looking for signs of disease. In addition to scratching, if your cat has an ear infection or other ear disease they may exhibit other symptoms. These symptoms may include:- Discharge
- Sensitivity to touch
- Ear odor
- Repeated head shaking
- Rubbing the ears on the floor or other surfaces
Decide what type of care your cat needs. If your cat has a little bit of waxy build up or grime in its ears, but they seem otherwise healthy, then you may simply choose to clean your cat's ears. Once the cat's ears are cleaned, you should then keep a watchful eye on whether the itching persists. However, if your cat has injured itself with its itching, or there is evidence that your cat may have some sort of ear disease, then it should be seen by a veterinarian.- Cats are very good at hiding discomfort and pain. Just because you do not notice any behavioral changes or signs of unhappiness, that does not mean that your cat doesn't need veterinary care.
How Do You Clean Your Cat’s Ears?
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-ear-disorders
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/ear-problems-in-cats/
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/otitis
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips
About This Article
To treat itchy ears in your cat, take it to the vet if your cat is scratching its ears frequently, or if you spot the signs of an infection. Your vet may recommend cleaning its ears at home with a product made specially for cats. Alternatively, they may sedate your cat in order to remove polyps or growths in its ears. After the surgery, you may need to apply drops to your cat's ear, or place a cone around its neck to stop it from scratching its ears as it recovers. For tips on how to spot signs of ear disease in your cat, keep reading!
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