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My 15-year-old cat has pimples on her ear flaps. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 15 years and 2 months old | 12 lbs

My 15 year old cat has recently developed pimples on the outside flaps of both or her ears. We have checked inside the ears and there is no sign of black coffee grains looking tar or mites. (We also have 2 other cats - no symptoms).

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on August 2nd, 2017

My outside cat has similar sores on the back of his ears. They are due to irritation from insect bites. I wipe the outside flaps daily with a natural insect and flea repellent which I purchased at PetCo. You can gently cleanse the area an apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment to have them heal more quickly. Some cats are more sensitive, that's why this doesn't happen to every cat in the household. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Angel.

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    Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I would recomend Angel have a vet check up. Older cats can develop cancers along the ear margins especially if they have ever been outside cats. If she had been indoors her whole life it may be less likely but not impossible to be cancer. Other possibilities are infection or autoimmune disorder. The vet may recommend doing a needle aspirate or biopsy to determine what these lesions are.

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