How To Get Rid of Ear Mites on Your Cat

Ear mites—tiny, itchy parasites that can infest your kitty’s ear canals—can be miserable for your cat. What’s worse, no amount of ear cleaning can get rid of these unwelcome visitors.

That’s why it’s essential to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your cat has an ear mite infection—and treat it.

Luckily, they’re easily treatable with the right interventions. Here’s what to know about treating ear mites in cats, including ear mite medicine for cats, how to get rid of ear mites in cats, and more.

To be sure your cat is mite-free and feeling better soon, here’s how to treat ear mites in cats.

Your veterinarian can best determine whether or not your cat has ear mites.

During your office visit, they typically first examine your cat’s ears to see if they have that telltale buildup of dark, waxy “coffee grounds.” They then collect a sample for testing and use an ear examination tool called an otoscope to look for the mites themselves.

Your vet will also check for secondary ear infections in your cat. With an inflamed ear, other bacterial or yeast infections can easily develop.

If your veterinarian diagnoses your cat with ear mites, they may prescribe medication designed to kill the pesky parasites.

Christine Cain, DVM, DACVD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia, recommends that her feline patients take medication that offers full-body coverage instead of just treating the area around the ears. That way, it eliminates any mites that might be living on other areas of the body.

There are two types of cat ear mite medicine:

1. Oral medicine
2. Topical solution

The topical treatment can be applied to the skin monthly to help kill mites.

If there are any secondary infections, your vet may prescribe a course of ear drops containing antibiotics or antifungal medication to help treat those too.

Even if your other pets aren’t showing any signs of ear mites, once you confirm your cat has them, you should treat all other animals in the household. That’s because ear mites are highly contagious and easily passed between cats, dogs, and other pets.

Follow up with your vet to ensure the cat’s ear mites are gone and that any secondary infections have cleared the ear canal.

You may need to follow up in six to eight weeks after ear mite treatment is complete, or sooner if your cat has a secondary infection.

Ask your vet about the timeline for your cat’s next checkup.

Sorry—there aren’t any safe, effective home remedies to treat ear mites. It’s important to talk to your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ear mites.

Left untreated, cats with ear mites:

• Will suffer from itchy, irritated skin
• Are at risk for developing ear problems, such as infections, aural hematomas, or changes to their ear canal
• Can feel miserable

A typical ear mite treatment course runs for six to eight weeks. That’s because cat ear mites have a three-week life cycle.

“The rule of thumb is to treat for two life cycles,” Dr. Cain says. “As gross as it sounds, if there are any eggs present when you’re treating, and new mites hatch out, you want to make sure that you’re covering for those as well.”

What is the cost of treating ear mites in cats?

The cost of treating cat ear mites varies widely, depending on your location, the vet clinic, pet insurance, and the severity of your cat’s condition. If you have multiple pets, you should factor in the cost of treating them too.

What kills ear mites in cats instantly?

Unfortunately, there are no good treatments that will kill ear mites in cats instantly.

The safest prescription options, such as milbemycin and ivermectin, will take at least a few days to start to kill the ear mites—up to seven to 10 days in total to get rid of an ear mite infection.

Most cats will also need to be on consistent, monthly prevention that covers for ear mites (such as Revolution Plus) to stay on top of the life cycle that comprises eggs and adult ear mites.

How can I treat my cat’s ear mites at home?

If you suspect that your cat has an ear mite infection, it’s best to have them seen in person by a veterinarian to confirm the infection and then start them on a prescription medication as dispensed by your veterinarian.

There are no safe or effective at-home treatments for ear mites in cats.

Will cat ear mites go away on their own?

Unfortunately, the vast majority of ear mite infections in cats will not be able to go away on their own. Once the ear mites get established inside the ear environment and begin to lay eggs and multiply, it’s very difficult to remove them with simple ear cleaners and the cat’s own immune system defenses.

Cat ear mite infections need to be treated with safe, effective prescription products that contain compounds such as milbemycin and ivermectin; and then all cats, whether fully indoor or with some outdoor exposure, should ideally be on a monthly flea and tick preventive year-round that covers for ear mites, like Revolution Plus and Advantage Multi.

Consult with your veterinarian if you notice your cat has a stubborn or recurring ear mite infection.

This content was medically reviewed by Hannah Hart, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.