If you’re a cat owner, you’re probably aware of how frustrating it can be to deal with pesky ear mites. While there’s no surefire way to guarantee your cat will never get ear mites, the good news is that you can definitely reduce the risk.
Preventing ear mites is about maintaining a clean environment, keeping an eye on your cat’s health, and being proactive in their care.
For a more detailed guide on identifying, treating, and recovering from ear mites, feel free to check out our complete ear mite guide here.
👉Ear Mites in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Guide
In this article, we’ll walk through some simple, yet effective, prevention strategies to keep ear mites at bay.
Keeping Ear Mites at Bay
While there’s no surefire way to guarantee your cat will never get ear mites (remember, they’re common and can happen to the best of cats), you can definitely reduce the risk. Here are some practical prevention and maintenance tips to help keep ear mites away or catch them early:
Regular ear checks
Make it a habit to check your cat’s ears routinely, especially if they go outdoors or interact with other animals. You don’t have to do anything invasive – just look inside each ear once a week or so.
The skin should be pale pink, clean, and there should be minimal wax. If you see a lot of wax buildup, any dark debris, redness, or if your cat reacts sensitively when you touch their ear, that’s your cue to investigate further or have a vet take a look.
Early detection of ear mites means easier treatment.
Keep up with parasite preventatives
Many monthly flea prevention products for cats also protect against ear mites (as well as ticks or worms). Ask your veterinarian if your cat could benefit from a broad-spectrum preventative.
Using these regularly can greatly reduce the chance of an ear mite infestation, especially in cats that are high-risk (outdoor cats, cats that socialize with others, kittens from shelters, etc.).
Consistent use of such preventatives is cited as an effective strategy for preventing mites in high-risk environments.
Careful with new additions
If you’re bringing a new cat or kitten into your home, have them vet-checked and their ears examined as part of the introduction process.
It might even be wise to keep the newcomer separate from your other pets for a week or two until any health issues are addressed. This quarantine period can prevent an inadvertent spread of ear mites (or other contagious conditions) to your resident pets.
Many shelters treat all their cats for ear mites as a precaution, but it’s not a guarantee.
So, be cautious with new furry family members – a quick ear mite treatment for a new kitten, even if not confirmed, can sometimes be a preventive step if they came from a high-risk environment.
Environmental cleanliness
Although direct contact is the main way mites spread, don’t forget to clean your cat’s environment especially during and after an ear mite episode. Wash their bedding, blankets, and any soft toys in hot water.
Vacuum carpets and furniture where the cat likes to lounge. Mites don’t survive long off-host, but a good cleaning can eliminate any stragglers and, importantly, remove eggs that might be waiting to hitchhike onto a pet.
If your cat had ear mites, assume some might have fallen into the environment and do a thorough clean to prevent a rebound.
Avoid contact with unknown animals
This is more for outdoor cats or if you take your cat to places with other animals (like grooming salons, boarding kennels, cat shows, etc.). While you can’t completely isolate your cat (and you wouldn’t want to, socialization is good), be mindful in high-risk areas.
For example, if you know a friend’s cat has ear mites, wait until they’re treated before arranging a kitty playdate. At the groomer or boarding facility, don’t be shy to ask about how they prevent spread of things like ear mites (good facilities will have protocols).
Routine vet check-ups
During your cat’s annual or bi-annual vet exam, the vet often checks the ears as part of the physical. This is a great opportunity to catch any developing ear issues.
Sometimes, cats can have a mild case of mites that you haven’t noticed yet – a vet might spot the debris early. Staying up-to-date with check-ups means nothing gets too far out of hand.
Hygiene with shared items
In multi-pet homes, regularly wash items that all the pets share (bedding, toys, even the cat carrier or your own blankets if pets sleep on your bed). This isn’t just for ear mites but good general practice to minimize transmission of fleas, mites, fungus, etc., among pets.
No over-the-counter mite meds without vet guidance
There are OTC ear mite treatments out there, but be cautious. Some can be harsh or not very effective, and they might mask symptoms without fully solving the issue.
If you want to use something as a preventive (say you suspect mites but aren’t sure), it’s still best to consult your vet. Some products labeled for dogs can be dangerous for cats, so never apply a dog product to a cat.
Recovery and What to Expect After Treatment
Successfully treating ear mites is a relief, but you might wonder, what now? How will you know your cat is truly better, and what should you do (or not do) during their recovery period? Here’s a rundown of what to expect:
Relief of symptoms
In most cases, you’ll notice your cat’s comfort improving within a few days of starting effective treatment. They should be scratching less, shaking their head less, and generally seeming calmer.
If their ears were very red and inflamed, you might see the redness starting to go down after a week or so. Any foul odor might dissipate as the infection clears.
Keep in mind, some residual itching is normal as the ears heal – just like how a healing wound might still itch a bit. But the intense itchiness should significantly decrease.
Duration of treatment
As mentioned earlier, plan for a treatment course of at least 3 weeks to ensure all mites (and their eggs) are gone. Even with one-and-done treatments, the recovery timeline is about a few weeks.
During this time, continue to follow all instructions – for example, if you have ear drops for 10 days, do the full 10 days. If you gave a one-time medication, mark your calendar for any follow-up dose or check.
Do not stop early, even if your cat seems totally fine after a week. Many a time, stopping treatment early leads to a relapse because some eggs or juvenile mites survived and then cause a new outbreak.
As one resource reminds us, it’s tempting to stop when symptoms resolve, but you must complete the entire treatment course to prevent relapse.
Follow-up vet visit
If your vet requested a follow-up, please go to it. At the re-check, the vet will look again in the ears, possibly repeat an ear swab to ensure no mites are seen. This is also your chance to ask questions or report anything unusual (like if your cat is still scratching or if you had trouble administering medication).
Cleaning and care
Continue any ear cleaning routine as prescribed. Over the weeks after treatment, you should see less and less debris when you clean.
If you’re still seeing a lot of gunk coming out after a couple of weeks, let your vet know – either the mites aren’t fully gone or there’s an ongoing infection that might need additional care.
Keep your cleaning gentle; the ear will be a bit sensitive as it recovers from all that inflammation.
Emotional TLC
Your cat has been through an uncomfortable time. Now that they’re feeling better, give them lots of positive attention and reassurance.
They might have grown to dislike ear handling after all those treatments, so work on making ears a positive thing again: gentle ear rubs (when healed), followed by treats and praise, to re-associate touch with love, not medicine.
This will help if you ever have to medicate their ears again in the future.
Monitoring
In the few weeks post-treatment, keep an eye (and ear) on your kitty. If you notice a return of head-shaking or scratching, don’t wait – get them checked promptly. Sometimes a second round of treatment is needed, or there could be another issue at play.
Also, note if your cat’s hearing seems off (not responding to sounds as usual) or if they have any head tilt or balance problems – if you see these, inform your vet, as they might indicate a deeper infection that needs attention.
Conclusion
While it’s impossible to guarantee that your cat will never get ear mites, these preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk.
Regular ear checks, using parasite preventatives, maintaining a clean environment, and limiting exposure to potentially infected animals are all proactive steps you can take. And don’t forget the importance of routine veterinary check-ups!
Even with the best prevention efforts, ear mites can still sneak in from time to time, but if they do, you’ll be ready to catch them early and keep your cat comfortable.
For a more in-depth guide on ear mites, check out our full guide here. Remember, prevention is the best approach, and with these tips, you’re already one step ahead in keeping your cat safe and healthy.
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FAQ
How often should I check my cat’s ears for ear mites?
It’s a good habit to check your cat’s ears at least once a week. Look for signs like dark debris, redness, or excessive wax. Early detection is crucial in preventing ear mites from becoming a bigger issue.
Can ear mites be prevented in outdoor cats?
While it’s difficult to guarantee that outdoor cats will never get ear mites, using parasite preventatives regularly can significantly reduce the chance of infestation. Keeping your cat’s ears clean and checking them frequently can also help catch ear mites early.
Is it necessary to treat all pets in the house if one cat has ear mites?
Yes, it’s a good idea to treat all pets in the household to prevent ear mites from spreading. Mites are highly contagious, and other pets may have been exposed to the infected cat even if they aren’t showing symptoms.
Are over-the-counter treatments safe for ear mites in cats?
While some over-the-counter treatments exist, they can be ineffective or even harmful. It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before using any treatment on your cat.
Can ear mites spread to other animals?
Yes, ear mites can spread to other animals, especially in multi-pet households. Direct contact or shared spaces like bedding and grooming tools can lead to transmission. If one pet is diagnosed, it’s advisable to treat all pets in the household.
References
Dryden, M. W. (2018). Mite Infestation (Otodectic Mange) of Cats. In Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner ed.). Merck & Co. Retrieved.
Kwochka, K. W., & Helbig, R. J. (2013). Clinical presentation and treatment of Otodectes cynotis (ear mites) in cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 43(4), 773-789. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195561613001137?via%3Dihub
Dyce, K. M., Sack, W. O., & Wensing, C. J. G. (2017). Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy (4th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0323241539
Dethlefsen, S. J., & Schmitt, P. A. (2016). Veterinary approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of ear mites in cats: Review of recent advances. Compendium: Continuing Education for Veterinarians, 38(9), 573-580. Retrieved from https://www.veterinarypartner.com