My cat has a large ear growth that doesn't bother him. What is it?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 18 lbs
My cat has a large growth on his ear. It doesn't seem to bother him.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 1st, 2019
A picture may be helpful. If its not bleeding or bothering him, it is not an emergency. However, I would recommend that you get it checked out, as it may be a tumor. Skin tumors can be benign or malignant, and surgery can many times be curative. Get him in to the vet when you can! thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 6th, 2017
Any growth that is changing in size should be evaluated by the veterinarian. Some may be benign cysts or masses but cats can develop cancer on their ears as well. Abscess or infection is another possibility.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a small pimple, bump or cyst on the INSIDE tip of his left ear. It's hard to see. It is same color as his skin and not red. The way I discovered it is when I rubbed his ear. It's about the size of a pin head or very small nail head.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This may be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection. Given its tiny size the chance of being something benign and not of concern is high. This cannot be completely assessed just by looking at pictures and usually requires sampling such as fine needle aspiration to determine its origin. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a cat and his ears smell really bad I checked inside his ears and there’s a grey bump inside his ears with little bumps on it
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to see well in the pictures. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my cat is about 7 years old and I’ve noticed this bump on his outter ear for almost a year now it look like it started off as a scratch or bite I’m not sure because he used to be play fight with my sister cat not anymore but I’ve been so worrie
Ouch! That unfortunately should be checked out by a vet in person, especially if it's growing in size and looking more inflamed than usual, as this could indicate something such as an infection or growth that requires treatment. Typically, a vet will be able to take a sample of the area to determine the exact cells present and what treatment is needed. Until you can get to the vet, placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Sebastian may help keep him from rubbing or pawing at it to help it heal. Keeping the area clean and dry may also help. If you're having trouble affording veterinary care, these resources may also help so that you can get Sebastian in to see a vet: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/are-you-having-trouble-affording-your-pet , https://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed what seems like a growth on my cats ear. I'm not sure if it's anything serious, or if it just remnants of an injury he may have sustained during his outdoor days. Maybe you can shed some light on it.
Hello. This can one of several things including a simple keratin filled follicular cyst, to ceruminous cystomatosis, to melanoma ( not very common in cats ). These lumps can be pretty deceiving until a biopsy is taken & the sample sent to a pathologist for identification. At the very least, consider having a fine needle aspirate done. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a "growth" on the inside of his external ear. I thought it was an engorged gray tick. It is not. It is very soft. What could it be?
Hi, and thanks for your question. Although a picture of it would help to give you a more specific answer, this lump/bump/growth should be ideally examined by your local vet to have a diagnosis established. Your vet may want to perform an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy to sample the bump and determine its underlying nature. Differentials would include skin cysts, infections, benign or more malignant type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I’ve suddenly noticed a lump on my dogs ear. There isn’t any anywhere else and I have no idea what it is. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This may even be an abscess. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has this bump on his ear that has progressively gotten worse and we're wondering what it could be and how urgent we need to be with it. It started as a small pink bump then turned to an irritated red and now its 'shed' a crusty brown skin and
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. While this is not an emergency, this should be evaluated sooner rather than later. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a growth on the flap of his ear and it looks like an ingrown hair I am concern and would like to know if I should take him to the vet. I know that you are at Petco today
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Reggie evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Bubble like growth.. light. Skin color on top of cats ear...has grown.. Doesn't seem sensitive when I touch it... Near Sz of dime now
Any growth that is changing in size should be evaluated by the veterinarian. Some may be benign cysts or masses but cats can develop cancer on their ears as well. Abscess or infection is another possibility.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our neighborhood cat has a tumor on his ear. It’s big enough that it makes the ear droop but it’s not on the inside.
This is a seriously big tumor and needs to be removed ASAP before it spreads to thee inside of the ear. It is obviously painful or bothering the cat, which is why she is scratching it drawing blood. This in turn may cause infection. Please encourage your neighbors to take Baby to a veterinarian and have that tumor removed surgically.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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