Ear infections is one of the health conditions that cats owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what ear infections is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual cat.
This guide covers ear infections in cats in full: what it is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual cat, and a cat with ear infections should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
What is ear infections in cats?
Ear infections are a condition where the ear canal becomes inflamed and infected — usually by bacteria or yeast, and often because of an allergy, moisture, or ear mites. They are one of the most common reasons cats are taken to the vet, and they are painful: a cat with an ear infection will shake its head, scratch its ear, and hold its head to one side. Ear infections are more common in dogs with floppy ears, because the ear canal stays warm and moist, and in cats with allergies, because the allergy inflames the ear as well as the skin.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how ear infections is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. A cat with ear infections should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of ear infections can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The cat ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a cat considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of ear infections in cats
The signs of ear infections in cats are listed below. Not every cat with ear infections will show every sign, and some cats will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A cat that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a cat that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Head shaking, or holding the head to one side.
- Scratching at the ears, or pawing at the face.
- A smell from the ears, or discharge that is brown, yellow, or black.
- Redness or swelling inside the ear, or a painful ear when touched.
- A cat that cries out when its ear is touched, or that will not let you touch it.
- A loss of balance, or a cat that walks in circles, in a bad infection.
- Hearing loss, or a cat that does not respond as it used to.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a cat that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the cat eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your cat is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for ear infections
Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria or yeast growing in the ear canal, and they grow because something has inflamed the ear first. The most common causes are allergies — a cat with a skin allergy will often have ear infections too — moisture from swimming or bathing, ear mites, and a foreign body in the ear. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone, because the ear canal stays warm and moist, and some breeds are more prone because of the shape of their ears. A cat that has had one ear infection is more likely to have another, which is why the cause matters as much as the infection.
Some cats are more prone to ear infections than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a cat of any breed can develop ear infections. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop ear infections and will cope better with it if it does. A cat that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop ear infections and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How ear infections is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses an ear infection by looking inside the ear with a light and a magnifier, and by taking a sample of the discharge to see whether it is bacteria, yeast, or mites. The vet will also check for the cause — an allergy, mites, or a foreign body — because treating the infection without treating the cause means it will come back. A cat that is shaking its head, scratching its ears, or holding its head to one side should be checked promptly, because an ear infection left untreated can become chronic and can damage the hearing.
If you are worried about your cat, see a vet and mention ear infections by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the cat eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had ear infections or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose ear infections yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of ear infections
Treatment is usually ear drops prescribed by the vet, after the ear has been cleaned — and the vet will show the owner how to clean the ear and put the drops in. The drops must be given for the full course, even if the ear looks better after a few days, because stopping early lets the infection come back. If the cause is an allergy, the allergy must be treated too. If the cause is mites, the mites must be treated. Do not put anything in a cat's ear without veterinary advice, and do not use cotton buds deep in the ear, because they push the discharge further in and can damage the eardrum.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the cat's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the cat comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the cat must be checked regularly, because ear infections changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a cat with ear infections
A cat with ear infections can live a full and happy life with the right care, but it needs a routine: ears cleaned as the vet advises, drops given for the full course, and the cause treated, not just the infection. The owner must watch for the signs coming back — head shaking, scratching, a smell — and see a vet promptly if they do, because an infection caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks. A cat that has had ear infections often will need its ears checked regularly, and its allergies managed for life.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior cat diet guide covers feeding older cats, and the cat calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Can ear infections be prevented?
Ear infections cannot always be prevented, but the risk can be reduced. Keep the ears clean and dry, and dry them after swimming or bathing. Do not over-clean the ears: cleaning too often, or with the wrong product, can irritate the ear and make an infection more likely. Treat allergies, because a cat with a skin allergy will often have ear infections too. Have the vet check the ears at every routine visit, so an infection is found early, when it is easier to treat — and mention any head shaking or scratching promptly, rather than waiting for it to get worse.
Early checks matter most: have the cat checked regularly, so ear infections is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the cat ideal weight calculator, the cat body condition score chart, the how to tell if your cat is overweight guide, the senior cat diet guide, the cat calorie calculator, the when is a cat considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is ear infections in cats?
Ear infections are a condition where the ear canal becomes inflamed and infected — usually by bacteria or yeast, and often because of an allergy, moisture, or ear mites. They are one of the most common reasons cats are taken to the vet, and they are painful: a cat with an ear infection will shake its head, scratch its ear, and hold its head to one side. Ear infections are more common in dogs with floppy ears, because the ear canal stays warm and moist, and in cats with allergies, because the allergy inflames the ear as well as the skin.
What are the signs of ear infections in cats?
The most common signs are: Head shaking, or holding the head to one side. Scratching at the ears, or pawing at the face. A smell from the ears, or discharge that is brown, yellow, or black. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes ear infections in cats?
Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria or yeast growing in the ear canal, and they grow because something has inflamed the ear first. The most common causes are allergies — a cat with a skin allergy will often have ear infections too — moisture from swimming or bathing, ear mites, and a foreign body in the ear. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone, because the ear canal stays warm and moist, and some breeds are more prone because of the shape of their ears. A cat that has had one ear infection is more likely to have another, which is why the cause matters as much as the infection.
How is ear infections diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses an ear infection by looking inside the ear with a light and a magnifier, and by taking a sample of the discharge to see whether it is bacteria, yeast, or mites. The vet will also check for the cause — an allergy, mites, or a foreign body — because treating the infection without treating the cause means it will come back. A cat that is shaking its head, scratching its ears, or holding its head to one side should be checked promptly, because an ear infection left untreated can become chronic and can damage the hearing.
How is ear infections treated?
Treatment is usually ear drops prescribed by the vet, after the ear has been cleaned — and the vet will show the owner how to clean the ear and put the drops in. The drops must be given for the full course, even if the ear looks better after a few days, because stopping early lets the infection come back. If the cause is an allergy, the allergy must be treated too. If the cause is mites, the mites must be treated. Do not put anything in a cat's ear without veterinary advice, and do not use cotton buds deep in the ear, because they push the discharge further in and can damage the eardrum.
When should a cat with ear infections see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the cat shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the cat cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the cat eats and drinks. A cat with ear infections should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.