Companion Animals

Otitis in Cats: Welfare and Ear Health Management

Welfare guide to ear disease in cats -- causes, welfare impact, and evidence-based management.

Key Facts

Otitis externa (external ear canal inflammation) is less common in cats than dogs but causes significant welfare harm
Common causes include ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), bacterial infections, yeast infections, and foreign bodies
Ear mites are the most common cause in young cats -- causes intense irritation and head shaking
Clinical signs include head shaking, ear scratching, dark discharge, odour, and pain on palpation
Chronic or recurrent otitis may indicate underlying allergic disease -- similar to dog otitis pathophysiology
Treatment depends on cause -- ear mites require specific acaricide; bacterial infections require antibiotics
Middle ear disease (otitis media) causes more severe pain and may cause neurological signs
Regular ear examination during health checks enables early detection before welfare deterioration is severe

Welfare Significance

Ear disease causes significant discomfort -- the intense irritation of ear mites and the pain of bacterial otitis are welfare harms that cats are adept at concealing. Persistent ear scratching, frequent head shaking, or reluctance to have ears touched are signs that demand veterinary assessment. Early treatment prevents progression from minor irritation to chronic pain from established infection.

What You Can Do

Include ear examination in every veterinary health check -- early detection enables early treatment
Seek veterinary assessment for any cat persistently scratching ears or shaking its head
Never use ear cleaning products or treatments without veterinary diagnosis -- wrong treatment can worsen welfare
Monitor cats from multi-cat households for ear mite signs -- highly contagious between cats