What this means
A cat scratches an ear now and then, but repeated head shaking or ear scratching is a signal. The ear canal is long and bent, so moisture, wax or germs settle in easily, and the itch or pain makes a cat shake its head, scratch until it leaves sores, hold an ear down or rub its head on furniture. Itching is sometimes caused by an allergy that affects the whole skin, not only the ear.
It matters to look at the ears. A healthy ear is a pale pinkish-grey, clean and free of smell. Dark debris, discharge, redness, swelling or an unpleasant smell show the ear needs a vet. Also notice whether more than the ears is affected: for example whether your cat scratches elsewhere, grooms more than usual or vomits.
Do not pour anything into the ears or clean them with cleaners or cotton buds until a vet has looked at the ear: it may be damaged and the wrong product can do harm. If an ear is scratched hard it can swell or bleed. If your cat starts to tilt its head, lose its balance or walk in circles, the inflammation may have reached deeper parts of the ear.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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Ear mites
They cause strong itching and dark, crumbly debris in the ear. The cat scratches especially hard and shakes its head.
About the condition: Ear infections -
Bacterial or yeast infection
The skin of the inflamed ear canal swells and reddens, and discharge and a smell appear. The ear hurts and the cat protects it.
About the condition: Ear infections -
Allergy
An allergy to food or to something in the surroundings makes the skin itch, including the ears and head. The cat scratches its ears and neck, grooms, and sometimes small scabs appear.
About the condition: Food and seasonal allergies -
A foreign object in the ear
A grass seed or another particle suddenly causes constant head shaking and scratching. It usually affects one ear.
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Too much wax or debris
Built-up wax or debris irritates the ear and sets the stage for infection. Sometimes it is also the result of the infection itself.
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A blood swelling in the ear flap
Hard shaking or scratching can make the ear flap fill with blood, and it suddenly thickens. Such an ear hurts and must be shown to a vet.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether one ear or both are involved
- Whether the ears show dark debris, discharge or an unpleasant smell
- Whether the ear is red, swollen or hot
- Whether your cat scratches elsewhere, grooms more or has small scabs
- Whether vomiting or diarrhoea has appeared
- Whether your cat holds its head crookedly or seems disoriented
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your cat shakes its head or scratches its ears for more than a day or two, or you notice discharge, smell or redness. If it tilts its head, stumbles or walks in circles, see a vet the same day.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Ear infections Ears and hearing Inflammation of the ear canal, in which bacteria, yeast or ear mites take hold and make the ear sore and itchy. It matters because a long-lasting infection can reach deeper parts of the ear and affect hearing and balance.
- Ear mites Parasites Microscopic mites that live in the ear canal and feed on the skin's surface and earwax. They cause intense itching and spread easily between cats, dogs and other animals.
- Food and seasonal allergies Skin and coat A condition in which a cat's immune system overreacts to something in its food or in its surroundings, such as pollen, house dust mites or moulds. It shows mainly as itching, and the cat scratches and licks until the skin is damaged.
Body systems: Ears and hearing Parasites Skin and coat