You may have ear mites in cats if you notice that your cat is paying extra attention to her ears. Cats love to clean themselves. How do cats get bugs in their ears? And now for the big question: how do you treat cats that have eat mites?
Ear mites in cats and dogs are more than just a bother; they can do permanent damage if they are not treated properly. Most likely, you won’t see mites on your cat because they are too small. For example, fleas on cats are much bigger.
They’re not quite tiny, but it’s hard to see them. You will instead see the annoying and painful signs that cats have ear mites. Read on to find out how to treat ear mites in cats, how to spot early signs, and how to get rid of symptoms quickly.
What Are Cat Ear Mites?
The formal name for ear mites is Otodectes cynotis. Mites that live on the outside of the body eat on dead skin and other debris. Ear mites do best in damp, dark, and warm places, which is why your cat’s ears are a great place for them to live.
Ear mites attach to your cat’s skin in the ear canal and bite. Since they like to eat trash, they will eat anything that comes their way, but blood and skin oils are the best sources of nutrition. Even though you can hardly see these tiny bugs, they can still do a lot of damage because they spend their whole lives on your cat.
Life Cycle of Ear Mites in Cats
Mites spend their whole lives on your pet, unlike many other pests that lay their eggs elsewhere. The ear mite goes through 5 steps in its life cycle, which lasts about 3″4 weeks:
- Eggs
- Larvae
- Protonymphs (First Nymph Stage)
- Duetonymphs (Second Nymph Stage)
- Adult
The life cycle of a mite lasts for about 21 days, and an adult female mite can lay five or more eggs every day. This means that they can quickly become populated and possibly spread.
Are Cat Ear Mites Contagious?
Because mites are very mobile and spread quickly, your cat can easily get them from any other animal that has them.
As ear mites are very contagious and finish their life cycle on their host, coming into direct contact with an infected animal is usually the best way to get them. However, they can spread in a very limited way without a live host.
Oh, but my cat is inside, you might say. He has never played with another pet! Cats that stay inside are less likely to get ear mites, but they can still get them. Mites can live for up to six days without a host, which means they can get on clothes, furniture, other pets, and other things.
Cat ear mites can get into your home, but they only bother other animals and not people.
How to Check for Cat Ear Mites
It’s not impossible to see ear mites, even though they are hard to find. They are very small and light in color. They can look like coffee grounds. You might see the small particles moving around, but more likely you will see the dust they leave behind.
Usually, ear mite poop is the best way to tell when ear mites are active. In your cat’s ear wax, they leave behind small dark spots that look like pepper. They can also cause ear wax to build up, which can make your cat’s ear look dirty even if you clean it every day.
Even though this doesn’t prove that your cat has ear mites by itself, if you see something that looks like pepper in its ear and some of the most common symptoms, you’re probably pretty close.
Even if you don’t see any mites, you should still take your cat to the vet to rule out other problems like allergies, skin and coat problems that cats often have that need quick attention.
5 Proven Home Remedies to Get Rid of Ear Mites in Cat
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
People say that apple cider vinegar can clean and heal, and they’re not wrong! It’s very acidic and can easily kill bacteria that you don’t want or need.
One part apple cider vinegar and one part tap water should be mixed together to use this cure. Put this in a spray bottle and use it to gently spray your cat’s ear tubes once or twice a day. Make sure this doesn’t get in your cat’s eyes at all times. Because apple cider vinegar is acidic, you shouldn’t use this solution if your cat’s scratching has left cuts or open sores in their ears. Even when mixed with water, it can burn.
2. Vaseline
You might not have aloe vera at home to treat the ear mites on your cat, but you probably do have Vaseline or another petroleum jelly.
Health experts at UCI Health say that petroleum jelly is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic that can be used on the skin to speed up the mending process. Redness and swelling should go down, and burning should go down too. This will make your cat less likely to keep scratching their ears.
Clean your cat’s ears of any dirt or trash and then put a small amount of Vaseline in them. Gently rub the Vaseline into the skin. Do this once or twice a day until the symptoms and earwax are gone.
It is important to remember that Vaseline should not be used to treat cuts or sores in your cat’s ear tubes. Vaseline should only be put on the skin.
3. Garlic
People may have told you that cats can’t eat garlic or plants in the Allium group, which includes onions and chives. Even though this is true, it can be used safely on the skin sometimes, especially to treat ear mites!
That’s right, garlic isn’t good for your cat to eat, but it is safe to use on parts of the skin that the cat can’t reach. Two or three cloves of garlic should be chopped up and left in a few tablespoons of olive oil overnight. Take out the garlic bits and rub a very small amount of the oil into your cat’s ears. Do this every day for as long as it takes to get rid of the mites in your cat’s ears.
A study in PubMed says that a chemical in garlic called “allicin” can kill microbes. Allicin and the natural soothing effect of oil can help get rid of ear mites and the itching that comes with them after a few weeks of regular use.
4. Yellow Dock Root
Yellow dock is a herb that is often added to salads. The oil that comes from the root of the plant can be used to treat ear mites in your cat.
Add 5 to 10 drops of yellow dock root oil to a tablespoon of warm water. This will make the oil work for you. Soak a cotton ball (never a cotton swab) in the mixture, and then gently press it against the inside of your cat’s ears that have just been cleaned. This step can be done once or twice a day until the ear mite problem with your cat is gone.
WebMD says that yellow dock root is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce swelling and itching. It’s also often used to treat fungal and bacterial infections, so it might help get rid of the ear mites on your cat.
5. Coconut Oil
Finally, you can use coconut oil to help get rid of ear mites on your cat. After you clean your cat’s ears well, rub a thin layer of organic, virgin coconut oil on them. The natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of the coconut oil can help soothe your cat’s skin and keep ear mites away.
How to Prevent Ear Mites in Cats
Ear mites are usually easy to get rid of if you treat them right away and make sure you take care of your ears afterward. But, as we always say, the best way to get rid of any pest problem is to avoid getting them in the first place. With mites, you can’t be sure where they will be or what kind of animal they will be on. To keep your pet safe from mites, keep them healthy.
These sneaky pests will be less likely to attack your cat if it has a strong immune system, healthy skin, and a good diet. Low pH is what mites like, so feeding them a high-quality alkaline diet, like raw cat food, for three weeks will stop them from living there.
A regular grooming schedule is also very important for the health of your cat’s skin and coat. Regular ear care for cats can help protect the delicate skin in their ears.
Wrapping Up
People who love cats often treat them like children, so it must be very sad to see your cat in so much pain from ear mites and the itching that comes with them. You might want to take your cat to the vet to make sure there isn’t a bigger problem, but these home treatments can also help a lot with the ear mites.
Pick your best or easiest home remedy and gently rub it into your cat’s ear canals after you’ve cleaned them well. Of course, if the ear mite problem lasts for more than a few weeks, you should see a vet for advice. But in the meantime, these natural home treatments have been shown to help get rid of ear mites and ease any pain your cat may be feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Ear Mites
What are ear mites in cats?
Ear mites in cats are tiny, parasitic insects called Otodectes cynotis that live in the ear canal and feed on the wax and oils that the ears make. Ear mites are very easy for cats and other pets to get and quickly spread to each other.
Can ear mites cause deafness in cats?
Because ear mites spread bacteria, they can get into the eardrum or nerves of the cat’s ears and cause lasting hearing loss.
Cat ear mite treatment that is done on time protects your cat’s hearing and lowers the risk of other problems happening.
Can ear mites be transmitted to humans?
Ear mites can be passed from one pet to another, but they are not dangerous to people. Quick care is still very important, no matter what.
How can I prevent my cat from getting ear mites?
Ear mites can be avoided by regularly cleaning your cat’s ears and keeping them clean. The risk is also lower if you keep your cat inside and away from animals that are infected.
Can ear mites lead to other health problems?
Yes, ear mites can cause other problems like bacterial illnesses and hearing loss if they are not treated. Getting your cat to the vet right away is very important to get rid of the ear mites and protect its ears and hearing.
Are over-the-counter treatments for cat ear mites effective?
A lot of over-the-counter and home treatments can work for mild infestations. But for more serious cases or when infection is a possibility, it’s best to talk to a vet to get a correct diagnosis and the right treatment.