If your cat suddenly starts shaking her head, scratching at her ears, or flinching when you touch her head, an ear infection may be brewing. Cats are naturally resistant to ear infections – they are far less common than in dogs – which is exactly why one should never be ignored: in cats, an ear infection is usually a sign that something else is going on underneath. Caught early, most feline ear infections resolve completely; left alone, they can damage the eardrum and spread to the middle ear.
Why Cats Get Ear Infections
An outer ear infection (otitis externa) means the skin lining the ear canal has become inflamed and often secondarily infected with bacteria or yeast. Common triggers include:
- Ear mites – the most common cause, especially in kittens and outdoor cats; they create dark, crumbly debris that sets up infection
- Allergies – to food or environmental triggers, the most overlooked cause in adult indoor cats
- Foreign bodies – grass awns or dirt lodged in the canal
- Polyps or growths – benign inflammatory polyps are seen in younger cats
- Excess wax and moisture, or thick fur around the ear opening
Symptoms to Watch For
- Frequent head shaking or tilting, and scratching at the ears with back paws
- Redness, swelling, or heat around the ear flap and canal opening
- Black, brown, or yellow discharge, crumbly debris, or a foul, yeasty smell
- Sensitivity when the head is touched, hiding, irritability, or reduced appetite
- Advanced warning signs: loss of balance, stumbling, flicking eyes, or a droopy face – these suggest middle or inner ear involvement
When to See a Vet
Book a visit as soon as you notice discharge, odour, or head shaking, and go promptly if you see head tilting, wobbliness, or hearing changes. Do not treat the ear at home with over-the-counter cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar first – these irritate inflamed canals, and if the eardrum is ruptured, some drops can cause serious harm. Your vet needs to confirm the eardrum is intact before anything goes into the ear. A painful, blocked ear may need sedation for a proper look.
Common Vet-Directed Treatments
Diagnosis starts with an otoscope exam and a microscope check of ear debris (cytology) to identify mites, bacteria, or yeast, since each needs different medication. Most cats receive medicated ear drops that combine an antibiotic, an antifungal, and an anti-inflammatory; mites are treated with anti-parasitic medicine. If discharge is heavy, your vet may clean the canal first so drops can work, sometimes under sedation. Just as important, the underlying trigger – mites, allergies, or a polyp – must be found and managed, or the infection will keep coming back.
Home Care
- Give ear medication exactly as prescribed and finish the full course, even if the ear looks better within days.
- Clean the ears only with the product your vet recommends, and only if instructed – wait about 10 to 15 minutes between cleaning and applying medicated drops.
- Never push cotton buds into the ear canal; use cotton pads on the visible parts only.
- Use treats and gentle towel-wrapping to keep the experience calm, and ask for help rather than wrestling your cat.
- Attend the recheck appointment – your vet confirms the infection is fully gone before stopping treatment.
Prevention
Check your cat’s ears weekly during grooming: they should look pale pink, clean, and odour-free. Treat any mite outbreak quickly, since all pets in the household may need treatment. If your cat has allergies, keeping them controlled is the best protection for the ears. Otherwise, healthy cats generally do not need routine ear cleaning – over-cleaning can do more harm than good.
Watch and Learn
The UK charity PDSA demonstrates how to clean a cat’s ears safely when a vet has prescribed ear treatment – useful context for home care between rechecks.
This article is for educational content only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s specific condition before making any health decisions.