Ear problems in cats – swollen, itchy, red, hot or sore

Overview
- Ear problems can be very painful, and should always been checked by a vet.
- There are many different problems that can affect any one of the three main sections of a cat’s ear.
- The ear has three main parts:
- The outside ear (ear flap, ear canal and ear drum)
- The middle ear (for hearing)
- The inner ear (for hearing and balance).
Symptoms
Signs of an ear problem can include:
- Ear scratching
- Head shaking
- Smelly ear(s)
- Hot, swollen ear(s)
- Discharge or bleeding from the ear
- Painful ear(s) – your cat may not want to be stroked
- Head tilt (holding head to one side)
- Loss of balance
- Flickering eye movements.

The anatomy of a cat's ear
Causes
There are many different ear problems your cat could develop:
Skin allergy
If your cat is allergic to something such as fleas, pollen or something in their food, they may develop very itchy ears.
Ear Infections
Ear infections occur when bacteria or yeast overgrows inside the ear.
Parasites
Parasites such as ear mites cause an intense itch and often lead to ear infections.
Ear injuries
Ears bleed a lot – read our first aid advice.
Aural haematoma
If a blood vessel inside the ear bursts, it’s likely to cause a blood blister in the ear flap called an aural haematoma.
Something inside the ear
Sometimes objects (such as grass seeds) get stuck inside the ear and cause irritation.
Tumours
Tumours on/in the ear can be benign or malignant. Two common tumours are squamous cell carcinomas on the ear flap and polyps inside the ear.
Vestibular disease
Vestibular disease is an inner ear problem affects balance.
When to contact your vet
Ear problems are often very painful so it’s important to see your vet for advice if you notice any symptoms. Your vet will look deep into the ear with an otoscope to diagnose the cause.
You know your cat best. Contact your vet if you’re concerned.
Consider insuring your cat as soon as you get them, before any signs of illness start. This will ensure you have all the support you need to care for them.
Published: May 2019
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Written by vets and vet nurses. This advice is for UK pets only.
Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst