Common Reasons for Cats Throwing Their Ears: What It Me

1. Ear Twitching in Cats: A Sign of Mite Infection

Cats frequently flicking their ears might be a sign of a mite infection. Pet owners should inspect their cat's ear canals. Typically, after an infection, there will be a considerable amount of reddishbrown or black discharge within the ears. In more severe cases, there may also be redness, scabs, and swelling. It's advisable to take your cat to a veterinary clinic for an examination of the ear discharge. If ear mites are confirmed, prompt treatment should be initiated.

Cat Ear Mite Treatment: Products like Purnell's Lactated Iodine can be used, with three drops administered into the ear daily. This can effectively clear ear mites, mite secretions, and earwax. It's recommended to fit your cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching and causing injury.

2. Ear Inflammation: Another Cause of Ear Twitching

Besides ear mites, middle and inner ear infections are common ear disorders in cats, often caused by mites, parasites, or bacterial infections. Symptoms include a strong ear odor, yellowish puslike discharge, redness, itching, and in severe cases, hearing impairment. Immediate veterinary care is necessary.

Ear inflammation usually requires antibiotic treatment and ear drops. It's generally not recommended to selfmedicate at home, especially for inner ear infections, as delayed treatment can lead to permanent hearing damage in cats and may even result in secondary infections like meningitis.

3. Water in the Ear: A Less Obvious Cause

If your cat has recently bathed, been rained on, or has a habit of turning on the tap to drink, it's possible that water has entered their ears, leading to a moist environment that fosters bacterial growth and irritation, potentially causing infection.

Using an ear cleaning solution like Ear Cleanse can help prevent further infection. Regularly inspect and clean your cat's ears, and ensure to dry any water droplets after bathing with a paper towel.

4. Other Health Issues

Parasite bites, ringworm, or eczema around a cat's ears can cause severe itching, leading to frequent ear flicking. Pet owners should promptly check for any foreign objects or skin abnormalities around the ears and address them immediately.

Understanding the common reasons for a cat's persistent ear flicking and the appropriate solutions is crucial. If you notice your cat frequently flicking their ears, it's essential to address the issue promptly to avoid complications like ear hematomas.