Ear Mites in Cats: What You Need to Know as a Cat Owner

Apr 12th 2011

Ear mites are a common affliction for household cats. As part of a Paw Nation series providing background about the medical problems your pet may suffer, we spoke to Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York, to get some insights about the condition.

What are the signs that my cat has ear mites?
Itchy, itchy ears. You'll also see, as the condition becomes more severe, large amounts of black, fungal-like discharge in the ear.

How common are ear mites?
Ear mites are very common in cats.

How serious are ear mites?
Initially, ear mites in cats are mostly just uncomfortable. Ear mites aren't generally life-threatening, but they can cause some very serious conditions. If left untreated long enough, ear mites may cause a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection. Cats may develop an abscess in the ear, and in the worst case scenario, it can actually break through to the brain and cause meningitis -- but that's a very rare case.