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What's wrong with my outdoor cat's ear if it's not ear mites?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year and 3 months old

My cat has something up with her ear she is one year old and lives outdoors with her sister and I did some research about it to see how I should deal with her ear problem and she does not seem to Itch it very much. There are many other cats in the neighborhood. Its not ear mites

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 24th, 2017

I would recommend a veterinary exam for Luna if you suspect something is wrong with her ear. Cats can develop your infections from yeast or bacteria, can have ear mites, can develop cancer of the ear or grow benign polyps within the ear that may pre-dispose to infection as well. Without an exam there's no way to know what may be wrong with her ear or how to treat it. Ear mites, yeast, bacteria can only be diagnosed via cytology by looking at discharge from the ear under a microscope. Ear mites cannot be completely discounted on gross physical exam as they are microscopic. Good luck and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Isabelle Roese, DVM, CVA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on

    She could have notoedres, demodex cati or even demodex gatoi, all parasites that are not the typical ear mites. A skin scrape will be needed for making a diagnosis. She could have an ear infection, allergies, yeast or fungal infection. I suggest you take Luna to a veterinarian for an exam and a skin scrapping. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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