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How to treat ear mites in cats

Updated 2026-10-09

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal. They're very common in kittens and outdoor cats, and they spread easily between cats and dogs that live together.

Signs of ear mites

• Lots of head shaking and ear scratching
• Dark brown or black, crumbly discharge in the ears that looks like coffee grounds
• Redness, scabs or scratches around the ears and head
• A bad smell from the ears

Get it checked before you treat

Ear mites look a lot like ear infections (bacterial or yeast) and ear polyps, which need different treatment. A vet can confirm mites in minutes by looking at a swab under a microscope. Treating the wrong problem wastes time and can make sore ears worse.

How ear mites are treated

• Spot-on parasite treatments. Several prescription spot-ons applied to the back of the neck kill ear mites as well as fleas. Often one or two doses is all it takes.
• Ear drops. Medicated drops are put directly into the ear, usually for a set number of days.
• Ear cleaning. Your vet may clean the ears first, or show you how to use a cat-safe ear cleaner, so the treatment can reach the mites.

Treat all cats and dogs in the household, even if they aren't scratching, or the mites will pass back and forth.

How to give ear drops

1. Wrap your cat loosely in a towel if it wriggles.
2. Gently fold the ear flap back and put the drops into the canal.
3. Massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a squelching sound.
4. Let your cat shake its head, then wipe away the excess from the outer ear with cotton wool.
5. Reward with a treat.

Never push cotton buds into the ear canal.

Don't use

• Olive oil, mineral oil or home remedies. They may smother a few mites, but they don't clear an infestation and can make infections worse.
• Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They sting and irritate the ear.
• Dog products, unless your vet says they're safe for cats.

See a vet urgently if

• Your cat tilts its head, loses its balance or walks in circles. This can mean a middle or inner ear infection.
• The ear flap swells up like a pillow. This is an aural haematoma, from scratching or head shaking.
• The ears are bleeding, very red or very painful.

The short version

Coffee-ground discharge plus scratching usually means ear mites. Get a vet to confirm, then treat every pet in the house.