Ear infections are widely common in cats, causing them pain and discomfort. If you suspect that your car has an ear infection, it is essential to take them to the vet and get properly treated. If your cat isn’t treated in time, it can result in hearing loss or other health issues.

But, how do you know if your cat is suffering from an ear infection? There are various signs and symptoms that can help you identify the problem. It also helps to learn about the causes and prevention tips to ensure your cat stays happy and healthy.

Types of Ear Infections in Cats

There are two main types of ear infections that cats suffer from, which are as follows:

Outer Ear Infections

Your cat’s outer part is known as pinnae, which can be easily affected by a wound. Cats can get the wounds from getting bitten or scratched in a fight or while roughly playing with another cat. These wounds don’t always get infected, but it is a good practice to check for swelling or redness and take your cat to the vet immediately.

Middle and Internal Ear Infections

The ear canal of your cat can host anything, from foreign bodies to bacteria and mites, which makes it more vulnerable to infections. In some cases, the outer ear infection can spread into the ear that can cause the cat to tilt or shake their head often.

You might also notice them rubbing their ears with their paws frequently. The middle ear might develop polyps that can also result in an ear infection.

Causes of Ear Infections in Cats

Generally, ear infections in cats are a result of another medical problem, but they can still get ear infections because of an infected wound or mites’ infestation. Here are some of the main causes of ear infections in cats:

• Diabetes mellitus

• Environmental irritants

• Foreign bodies, like grass bristle or tumors

• Autoimmune diseases

• Hypothyroidism

• Thick hair or wax buildup in war canal

• Overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in the ear

Middle-ear infections are typically caused when the infection from the outer ear spreads. Improper ear cleaning, ruptured eardrum, or tumors can also cause infections in the middle ear.

Signs of Cat Ear Infections

No matter what the cause of the ear infection, the signs and symptoms are often similar. Here are the common signs to look out for in your cat:

• Your cat frequently paws at their ears or shake their head

• There are scabs or hair loss around the neck, ears, or face of the cat due to frequent scratching of the ears

• A discharge may be noticed in the ears. In severe cases, the discharge may be clearly visible around and outside the ear.

• The ear might appear inflamed and reddened. It might also have an unpleasant smell.

• Your cat might tilt the head from side to side frequently

Aside from this, ear infections often cause irritability and disorientation in cats. If you notice your cat hiding for hours, or acting strangely, then it might a sign that something is wrong. It is essential to take your cat to the vet.

Treatment of Ear Infections in Cats

Treatment of ear infections might be tricky and would depend on the severity, nature, and case of the infection. The vet will recommend the best treatment plan for your cat, which might include:

• Oral antibiotics

• Antibiotic creams, sprays, drops, or ointment

• Surgery in severe cases

It is essential to keep your cat updated on all the vaccinations to ensure there aren’t any underlying diseases and to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Tips to Prevent Ear Infections in Cats

The best thing you can do to prevent ear infections in your cat is to monitor their ears regularly and look for any odor, residue, or redness. Healthy ears have no odor, no debris visible, little to no ear wax, and are pale pink in color.

Here are a few preventative measures you can take:

• Reduce the time your cat stays out in direct sunlight, particularly if it is lightly pigmented or white.

• Ensure the fur of your cat is thoroughly clean and free from any mites and ticks. Be sure to regularly use flea and tick control measures to keep your cat healthy.

• Routinely checking your cat’s ear will increase the chances of catching the ear infection early and treating it immediately before it gets worse.

• Clean their ears regularly and properly. It is best to clean the ears when there is a slight wax buildup. For some cats, it may need to be done weekly rather than monthly. Make sure to let the vet show you how to clean the cat’s ears properly. Never insert any cleaning device in the ear canal.

• Keep on a lookout for any food allergies as it might result in an ear infection. Remove corn, wheat, grains, and soy from their diet to ensure they don’t consume foods that may cause them allergies.

• Make sure that the previous ear infection is gone completely as it can cause another ear infection. Make sure to take your cat to the vet for follow-ups to make sure their ear is free from the infection.

If your cat has been scratching their ears persistently, avoid trying to probe into the ears to check the cause. Make sure you take them to the vet immediately. While cats can mostly take care of themselves, it is essential to look out for signs of infections and diseases to get them the right treatment immediately. Take preventive measures to make sure your cat lives a healthy life.