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My cat scratches her ears raw. What else causes persistent ear itch?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 5 lbs

My cat scratches at her ears to the point she bleeds two different vets have said food allergies and we've tried the foods they suggested but it don't help. It clears up if we keep a cone on her but always comes back this last time it came back we noticed it was when she when into heat.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on June 30th, 2017

Food elimination trials to diagnose or rule out food sensitivities should last a minimum of 6-8 weeks. During this time, nothing but the prescribed diet should be fed. Allergies can be very frustrating to diagnose since there are multiple potential allergens in foods and the environment. Keep the e-collar in place to prevent scratching. Treat the ear infection, if present, until it resolves. You may need to recheck with your vet 10-14 days after treatment to confirm resolution. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and antihistamine use with your vet. It is likely coincidental that symptoms develop when she is in heat. If she is not to be bred or shown, consider having her spayed.

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    Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Itching/scratching can be associated with bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. Speak to your vet about referral to a dermatologist if you have not noticed much improvement, and see if your vet can prescribe something to help with the itching in the meantime. In some cases, skin conditions can be associated with hormonal changes, so your vet may recommend spaying Sasha. Spaying also stops the heat cycle, eliminates the risk and cost of unwanted breeding, and early spaying can eliminate the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as reduce the risk of potentially fatal uterine infections and breast cancer.

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