Most cats have ear mites at one time or another. Cats with ear mites are miserable with symptoms of shaking their heads, itching, and scratching their ears. Hundreds of these tiny insects are invading your cat’s ear canal living off the wax. The life cycle of a mite is three weeks and then they begin to mate again. Ear mites are extremely contagious and are transmitted from one cat to another through direct contact.

Ear mites are the most difficult parasite to eliminate, but if you follow a specific treatment, your cat will be free of ear mites. If left untreated, they can cause ear infections, swollen red and inflamed ears, or even hearing loss in your cat. Some cats have lost their hearing from vigorously shaking their head, causing a blood vessel to burst.

To check your cat for ear mites, use a cotton swab dipped in mineral or vegetable oil. Fold the earmuff back and wipe the cotton ball on the ear. If there is black residue or a thick substance like coffee grounds on the cotton swab, then your cat has ear mites.

Clean kitty’s ears with vegetable or mineral oil first, or you can purchase a cleaning solution from PetSmart. Clean the ears as directed on the bottle. Always clean the cat’s ears first before treating him for ear mites.

There are a few different remedies for cats with ear mites. You can use the conventional method or the holistic approach. The easiest treatment is to visit your vet and get a topical dewormer like Revolution.

Kill both fleas and ear mites. It is a stain on the vial tube that is applied between the shoulder blade and lasts for one month. Acarexx or Milbermite are two other conventional topical medications that you can choose to use. These conventional medications include “pyrethrins”, which are an insecticide that penetrates the nervous system of parasites.

The safest approach is natural treatment without chemicals. This is not the easiest way, but it is the safest alternative to chemicals. Clean your cat’s ears with a tablespoon of olive oil and a combined vitamin E capsule. (Push the capsule and pour the gel with the olive oil)

Use an equal amount in a syringe and spray on the cat’s ears and spread. Wait five minutes, massage the base of the ear with your thumb and forefinger, and then clean the mite debris with a cotton swab. Repeat this process daily for seven days.

Olive Oil suffocates mites and Vitamin E heals the ears. Another treatment is the use of white vinegar and water. Dilute the solution in half and half. Use a teaspoon in a dropper or syringe in each ear. Place your hand around the base of your kitty’s ear and massage the base of her ear with your thumb and forefinger.

Use cotton swabs to clean the mite debris. Wear this for seven days and then stop for seven days. WARNING: Do not use this method if the ears are red and swollen or have any open wounds.

Garlic and olive oil combined are great for treating ear mites. Crush the garlic and soak it overnight in warm olive oil. Throw in the cloves and heat the olive oil. Add 5 drops to each ear for 21 days. This remedy also suffocates ear mites.

My favorite are Aloe and Calendula essential oils. They are very soothing to kitty’s ears and have done wonders for getting rid of ear mites. Both oils are available at your local health food store. Add several drops to the kitten’s ears once a day for 21 days. The oils have a healing effect, so if your kitty has sore or inflamed ears this will help.

These are the best remedies for cats with ear mites and now you can choose the conventional or holistic approach. Your cat will feel so much better and will love you for it.