What Kills Ear Mites In Cats

Since ear mites are such a common cause there are several home remedies to help owners with this affliction.

What kills ear mites in cats. The most common signs of ear mites among cats include. The acidity of the white vinegar works well to kill ear mites and balance your cat s ph levels in their ears. Owners should thoroughly clean or throw out any bedding pillows or toys that their cat frequents. Cats that go outdoors are very susceptible to contracting ear mites from other cats or dogs they encounter.

Although ear mites don t seem dangerous their presence can be extremely harmful to your cat. Mix one part water with equal parts of white vinegar. Cats tend to scratch their ears a lot anyway but if you notice that yours is doing so more than usual this could be the first sign that there is some cause for concern. Ear mites cause irritation and so the cat is likely to scratch repeatedly at the ear with a back paw and or to frequently shake its head.

Cats can catch ear mites from being outdoors or from interacting with other cats. If your cat has ear mites your dog or other pets will likely have them as well. Foxes and rabbits are also carriers. The active ingredient in most otc ear mite medications is pyrethrin which is toxic to a cat s nervous system and should not be used in cats.

The cat s claws may break the skin surface leading to additional soreness bleeding and in some cases bacterial infections. Ear mites in cats can be killed using over the counter otc medicines but read the label carefully to ensure it can be used on cats. The type of mites most common in cats ears are called otodectes cynotis a name that roughly translates to ear beggar of the dog. It s not difficult to recognize ear mites based on your pet s behavior and appearance.

The symptoms of ear mite infestation range from the relatively mild to the comparatively more severe. Watch for scratching or shaking. They are most common in kittens younger cats strays and outdoor cats though any cat can catch ear mites. With enough time the environment inside your cat s ear becomes unfriendly thanks to the vinegar and the mites can die out.

The mites that are most commonly seen amongst domesticated animals especially cats are scientifically classified as otodectes cynotis these ear mites are tiny crab like creatures that will feed on dead skin cells waxy build and even latch on and drink blood from your pet. Despite the name this type of parasite is more common among cats than dogs and accounts for 90 of feline ear infection diagnoses. The mites themselves however are generally too small to see with the naked eye. Ear mite debris in a cat ear.

Symptoms of ear mite infestation. A cat that has suffered from ear mites for a long time can develop inflammatory polyps i e. Wikimedia commons uwe gille symptoms of ear mites in cats.