I believe some cat owners like to bite cats’ ears. The ears are so cute and they always want to bite them. Then check and clean the cats’ ears regularly. Do you know why? Because cats’ cochlea is relatively deep, they are prone to ear mites. Ear mites, also known as ear scabies, are common ear canal parasites in cats and dogs.

As a veterinarian, I want to tell you responsibly that the treatment period for cat ear mites is just a little longer, but it is not incurable. As long as the right method is used and the patient care of the scavenger is used, it can be cured. The cat will be fine soon. Moreover, ear mites are not a zoonotic disease and are basically not transmitted to humans. Do not abandon cats just because they have ear mites.

1. How to distinguish cat ear mites and earwax?

Cat earwax: Earwax is oil and has no smell. When a cat’s ears are dry, it will turn into yellow earwax. Cats that eat a lot of meat will have slightly darker earwax. It is yellowish brown. Compared with ear mites, earwax has less accumulation and can be wiped clean with a wet tissue.

Cat ear mites: Ear mites are parasites. There will be a large amount of reddish-brown or black oily waxy substance in the cat's ears. When it is close to the cat's ears, it will smell bad. The cat reacts greatly, has obvious itching and pain, and will scratch its ears frequently, or shake its head vigorously, trying to get rid of the dirt in the ears.

2. How to treat ear mites in cats?

1. When a cat is sick, it is recommended that you take it to the hospital as soon as possible if possible, do an examination, confirm the diagnosis first and then treat it. This can avoid a lot of detours and also avoid the owner’s misfortune. Wrong judgment can delay the cat’s condition.

2. Some cats have mild ear mites, some are more severe, and some cats have a mixed infection of ear mites and fungi. The treatment methods corresponding to each situation are different. It is recommended to give the cat It is safer to do an ear canal secretion test.

3. Use special ear cleaning water to clean the cat’s ear canal. Drop the liquid into the cat's ear canal, first cover its ears, and then gently rub the roots of the ears for about two minutes. Let the cat go, and it will shake its head. Then we use clean gauze to wipe away the excess ears. Just wipe off the liquid. As a reminder, it is not recommended to use cotton swabs to clean the ear canal, as it can easily damage the eardrum and cannot be cleaned thoroughly.

4. Apply medicine. Cleaning is only the first step. After cleaning, apply the medicine to the cat, and fix the cat's head. Don't let it swing out this time, and let the medicine be fully absorbed for a while. Basically twice a day for about a week, the cat's ear canal secretions will become less and less, and the ear mites will gradually recover. For more stubborn ear mites, the medication can last for more than 20 days until the cat recovers.

3. How to prevent recurrence of ear mites in cats?

1. First we need to take a look at the cat’s living environmentAre there any other sources of infection in the environment? Ear mite eggs fall to the ground and can survive for 5 to 15 days. While giving medicine to cats, owners should also thoroughly disinfect items that cats often come into contact with. In addition, try not to let cats come into contact with other unknown small animals to avoid cross-infection.

2. Cats must be dewormed internally and externally on time. You can try Bioline. This anthelmintic is effective against ear itch mites and ear scabies mites, the two main parasites that cause ear mites in cats. It can also kill fleas, lice, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and other common parasites. Parasites, as a daily preventive and deworming drug for cats, is also very good.

As a veterinarian, combined with many years of experience in treating cat ear mites, the above are the treatment methods for cat ear mites compiled for you. I hope it will be helpful to you!