Most cats get ear mites at one time or another. Cats with ear mites are miserable with symptoms of head shaking, itching and scratching the ears. Hundreds of these tiny bugs are invading your cat’s ear canal living off the wax. A mite’s life cycle is three weeks and then they start mating all over again. Ear mites are extremely contagious and spread from one cat to another through direct contact.
Ear mites are the most difficult parasite to get rid of, but by following a specific treatment, your cat will be ear mite free. If not treated, they can cause ear infections, inflamed red swollen ears or even hearing loss to your cat. Some cats have lost their hearing from vigorous head shaking causing a blood vessel to burst.
To check your cat for ear mites, use a cotton swab dipped in mineral or vegetable oil. Fold the ear flap back and wipe the cotton ball in the ear. If there is black debris or a thick coffee grind like substance on the cotton swab, then your cat has ear mites. Clean the kitty’s ears first with vegetable or mineral oil or you can buy a cleaning solution at PetSmart. Clean the ears as directed on the bottle. Always clean the cat’s ears first before treating her for ear mites.
There are a few different remedies for cats with ear mites. You can use the conventional method or the holistic approach. The easiest treatment is to visit your veterinarian and get a topical anti-parasitic medication such as Revolution.
It kills fleas as well as ear mites. It is a spot on vial tube that is applied between the shoulder blade and it lasts for one month. Acarexx or Milbermite are two other conventional topical medications you may choose to use. These conventional medications include “pyrethrins” which are an insecticide that penetrates the nervous system of the parasites.
The safest approach is the natural treatment with no chemicals. This is not the easiest way, but is the safest alternative to chemical products. Clean your cat’s ears with one tablespoon of Olive Oil and 1 capsule of Vitamin E combined. (Poke the capsule and pour the gel in with the olive oil)
Use an equal amount in a syringe and squirt in the cat’s ears and spread it out. Wait for five minutes, massage base of the ear with your thumb and forefinger and then wipe out the mite debris with a cotton swab. Repeat this process daily for seven days.
The Olive Oil smothers the mites and the Vitamin E heals the ears. Another treatment is by using white vinegar and water. Dilute solution to half and half. Use one teaspoon in a dropper or syringe in each ear. Cup your hand around the base of your kitty’s ear, and massage the base of her ear with your thumb and forefinger.
Use cotton swabs to wipe out the mite debris. Use this for seven days and then stop for seven days. WARNING: Do not use this method if the ears are red and swollen or have any open wounds.
Garlic and Olive Oil combined are great for treating ear mites. Crush garlic and soak it overnight in warm olive oil. Throw away the clove and warm up the olive oil. Add 5 drops to each ear for 21 days. This remedy also smothers the ear mites.
My favorite is Aloe and Calendula essential oils. They are very soothing to the kitty’s ears and have worked wonders for getting rid of the ear mites. Both oils are available at your local health food store. Add several drops to the kitty’s ears once daily for 21 days. The oils have a healing effect so if your kitty has inflamed or painful ears, this will help.
These are the best remedies for cats with ear mites and now you can choose the conventional or the holistic approach. Your cat will feel much better and she will love you for it.
