My cat still itching/shaking head after ear drops. Is this normal?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | British Shorthair | Male | neutered
So I have given my cats Johnsons ear drops (3 drops on each ear), initially there was a lot of itching and headshaking after I put the ear drops. It has been about 20 minutes and they are still shaking their ears a bit and itching it directly. Is this normal? Also my cats still have wax in their ears even after cleaning. What is a normal reaction after ear drops as I have never done this before, and only followed the instructions on the packet.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 20th, 2018
No, this isn't normal behavior. When you initially put drops in the ears of a cat, it is normal to see some head shaking and itching for a short period of time, but it should not continue for 20 minutes. This suggests that the Johnsons ear drops are irritating their ears, and I would not use it again. I would take them both into the vet. Cats naturally produce a little bit of ear wax, but a build up of it indicates an ear infection. Ear infections in cats are caused by ear mites, bacteria, or yeast, so the cause needs to be diagnosed in order for the cat to be treated correctly. I would take both of them into the vet on Monday. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 10th, 2018
Hi there! This does sound consistent with an ear infection or ear mites. I'm not sure if you got any medication from your vet or not? If not, it sounds like you probably need some ear drops to treat the problem, and your kitties may also need steroids and/or antibiotics for a week or two to help the skin heal if the problem is severe. I would recommend calling the vet who saw them in the morning to see what medication they can send home for you.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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