Ear mites are itchy but easily controlled

Dear MEOW, What is the best way to clean a cat’s ears? – Sara Dear Sara, The good news is that most cats rarely need any help to clean their ears. Unless a cat has lived outdoors for a long period of time, cats generally do not have a problem with dirty ears and, of course, are naturally very good groomers. There are a couple of exceptions for ear problems. Persian cats or cats that are similar to Persians, seem to have more problems with chronic ear infections and could require more care than the average cat. Check your cat’s ears for redness or odour or residue, which could indicate a problem, and consult your veterinarian.

Another common cause of ear irritation and residue in cats are ear mites, tiny and very annoying parasitic mites. They are easily spread from cat to cat. Ear mites cause inflammation, irritation and infection in the ears. You may see your cat scratching at his ears so often that his ears bleed or shaking his head with his ears flattened. You may notice some dark brown debris in the ears that looks similar to coffee grounds. Cats with ear mites should be taken to the veterinarian for treatment. You vet will prescribe a medication to kill the mites and clean out debris safely.

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