9 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Cats – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Ear mites are highly contagious surface mites that live on many animals, including cats. While these mites are typically found in the ear, they can live anywhere on the surface of the skin. A mite is barely visible to the naked eye, but if you see your cat scratching their ears without relief, mites may be the culprit.

Ear problems can result from untreated ear mite infections, so you’ll want to combat the problem right away. Once your veterinarian determines that your cat has mites, they will suggest treatment options. But with so many treatments on the market today, it can be hard to tell the difference between them all and know what they do.

We rounded up the best products available so you can read through the reviews and choose the best ear mite medicine for your cat.

A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)

The 9 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Cats

1. Adams Medication for Ear Mites — Best Overall

The Adams Medication for Ear Mites is our best overall choice for ear mite treatment in cats because it’s effective and easy to use. Just put the recommended number of drops per day into your cat’s ears. This product kills mites instantly and can be used for 7–10 days. The treatment can be repeated 2 weeks after the first one is complete.

The medication helps to loosen and remove the waxy buildup that is often present with mite infections. If the ears are red, crusty, or sore, the aloe and lanolin in this formula will soothe any pain and itchiness while the ears are healing.

This can be used on cats 12 weeks of age and older. It can be messy if the drops run out of the ears or if you miss your mark when applying them. This liquid may be difficult to clean off of a cat’s coat.

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2. Hartz Ear Mite Treatment for Cats — Best Value

The best ear mite treatment for the money is Hartz Ear Mite Treatment for Cats. Three tubes of the medication come in this package. This product kills ear mites on contact and contains aloe for soothing irritated ears. To apply, use the number of drops recommended for your cat’s weight on the package. Then, massage the drops into the ear canal. You can dry the ear with a cotton ball or soft cloth.

If you don’t use an entire tube, the cap can be inverted and placed back on the opening. Like many other products, this one can be applied for 7–10 days and repeated 2 weeks after the first treatment round is done. Each tube contains approximately 100 drops.

The tubes are small and can be difficult to properly aim and use. The product can leak out before getting into the cat’s ears. This is an affordable product, but some of it can be wasted because of this. Buying two packages can help ensure that you have the amount of medicine that your cat needs.

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3. Revolt Topical Solution for Cats — Premium Choice

In order to purchase Revolt Topical Solution for Cats, you need a current negative heartworm test result for your cat and a prescription from a veterinarian. This is our premium choice because it does so much more than eradicate ear mites. This treatment is applied monthly to your cat, and this package includes a 6-month supply. It can only be applied to cats 8 weeks of age or older.

In addition to treating and controlling ear mite infestations, this medication also kills fleas and flea eggs and can prevent heartworm disease. It can also treat hookworm and roundworm infections in cats. One application of this protects your cat all month long. Just apply it monthly to keep your cat safe from multiple parasites.

This product does not indicate that it will prevent tick infestations on cats.

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4. Revolution Topical Solution for Kittens

Kittens need protection from parasites too, and the Revolution Topical Solution for Kittens is a way to provide it. While it does require a negative heartworm test first and then a prescription to obtain, it’s effective at controlling multiple parasites in kittens weighing less than 5 pounds and that are at least 8 weeks of age.

This five-in-one treatment is applied monthly, and the package contains a 3-month supply. It kills adult fleas and flea eggs and protects against ear mites, heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. The non-greasy formula is easy to apply directly to your cat’s skin.

Possible side effects of this medication include temporary hair loss at the application site, inflammation, and stomach upset. It may also be irritating to human skin. Use gloves when applying and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

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5. Sentry HC EARMITE Free for Cats

The Sentry HC EARMITE Free for Cats liquid is designed to eliminate ear mites and ticks. This product can be used on cats over 12 weeks of age. Apply five drops to each ear twice a day until the parasites are gone. The aloe in this product will soothe itchiness and irritation caused by mites. It’s easy to use and comes in a water-based formula, so there is no oily residue left on your cat’s ears.

This affordable treatment is only suitable for use on cats. If this product comes in contact with human skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. While this is safe for a cat’s skin, make sure the product is dry before allowing your cat to groom themselves, as this liquid should not be ingested.

One bottle of this product should last for 1 month if used daily. It won’t kill ear mite eggs, so you may have to continually use this liquid until no signs of ear mites remain.

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6. PetArmor Medication for Ear Mites

Five drops in each ear of PetArmor Medication for Ear Mites twice a day can help eliminate ear mites and ticks from your cat’s ears. You can repeat use until the signs of the infestation are gone. Aloe is included to help heal irritated skin on the ears from mite bites.

This product is suitable for cats over 12 weeks of age. There are reports of using this liquid for a month before results were seen. The effectiveness of this medication will depend on the severity of the ear mite infestation. Since ear mite eggs are not killed by this product, the mites will need to be treated once they hatch. That means repeated use is necessary to eradicate all the mites.

PetArmor Medication has also been reported to ease the itchiness of the skin and stop cats from shaking their heads in discomfort.

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7. Strawfield Pets Advanced Ear Cleaner

The Strawfield Pets Advanced Ear Cleaner is an anti-fungal ear cleanser enriched with aloe. You can apply this to your cat’s ears two to three times daily until you see results. After squeezing the liquid into the ear canal, massage your cat’s ear and then wipe the excess liquid away with a cotton ball. You will also loosen and remove any debris or wax in the ear.

This product will treat ear mite infections and much more. It has an apple-kiwi scent and is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. It will help reduce ear yeast infections and remove odor, discharge, and scaling.

It’s safe to use on dogs and cats. You can keep your pets’ ears clean and maintained by using this once a week after the infections and infestations have cleared.

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8. Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats

Your cat will need a negative heartworm test result before you can use Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats. This product will effectively kill mites and other parasites, like fleas, roundworms, and hookworms. It may prevent heartworm disease.

This medication is administered once a month and is suitable for cats between 9.1 and 18 pounds. It may cause side effects like scabbing, itchiness, and inflammation at the application site.

This product is expensive and may not work for all cats. It also doesn’t protect against ticks.

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9. MilbeMite Otic Solution for Cats

The MilbeMite Solution for Cats requires a prescription but only works to combat ear mites infestations. That means a negative heartworm test is not required before application. This treatment can be used on cats and kittens over 4 weeks of age, and no serious side effects have been reported. After one application, 99% of ear mites at all life stages should be eliminated.

Instead of applying this treatment to the skin, it gets administered onto the external ear canal. Then the ear is massaged to evenly distribute the medication. One tube per ear is applied. This package contains 10 pouches of two tubes.

If one application is not effective, the treatment can be repeated once. After that, consult your veterinarian before proceeding with additional treatments.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Ear Mite Treatment for Your Cat

Ear mites look like tiny white spiders, and they live, breed, and feast in your pets’ ears. They’re almost impossible to see with the naked eye. They eat the tissue and blood of the ear canal to survive, and they are highly contagious parasites. Sometimes just one ear can be infected, but the longer these mites reproduce, the more likely that the infestation will spread to the other ear.

Ear Mites or an Ear Infection

Ear mite infestations and ear infections have similar symptoms and signs, and ear mites can cause ear infections. But sometimes, cats can have infected ears with no mites.

Ear infections usually show up as red, inflamed ears that can cause the cat to shake their head and scratch their ears constantly. Discharge and a foul odor may also be present. Ear infections can be caused by allergies or a buildup of bacteria or yeast. Another common cause is mites. Ear mites constantly breed in the ears, and their life cycles cause fungus to breed, creating infections.

Ear mite infestations cause similar reactions: head shaking, scratching, and a foul odor. Hair loss and scabs around the ears can occur. You may also notice a dark, waxy buildup in the ears that looks like dirt or coffee grounds. What you’re seeing is ear mite waste as they feed off the wax in the ear and leave their droppings behind.

Since ear mites are invisible to the naked eye, it’s important to take your cat to the vet when these symptoms start. Since ear mites are contagious, you’ll want to have treatment for your cat as soon as possible.

It’s best to not treat your cat for mites until you receive a positive diagnosis for them. Mite medications may make an infected ear with no mites feel worse and not do anything to treat the problem.

If ear mites aren’t treated, it can cause permanent hearing loss in your cat.

An untreated ear mite infection is extremely uncomfortable. Your cat’s ears can droop or lay flat against the head. The constant scratching can lead to bloody, maimed ears in desperate attempts to find relief. If you have other animals in the house, the mites can spread to all of them. They can also spread to you and live on your clothing or skin as you transfer them to other animals. You can bring them home to your cat without knowing.

Indoor-only cats can still get ear mite infestations because dogs, people, and children can unknowingly bring them inside. Ear mites don’t live long without a host, but they can live long enough to be transferred to a new one.

How Does My Cat Get Ear Mites?

The biggest cause of an ear mite infestation is the cat coming in contact with another animal that has ear mites. They can also be picked up by the cat as they walk through heavily wooded or grassy areas.

Since ear mites are so contagious, they can be transferred from animal to animal at grooming salons, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics.

How Do Ear Mites Move?

Ear mites don’t fly or jump. They crawl. Once they wind up in your cat’s ears, they can be difficult to remove because most treatments don’t kill mite eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the treatment will have to be reapplied. Ear mites lay eggs throughout their lifetime, and the eggs take roughly 3 weeks to hatch. Waiting for new mites to hatch before treating them often prolongs the healing process.

Can Ear Mites Be Prevented?

A monthly regimen of parasite protection, like those prescribed by a veterinarian, will prevent ear mites and treat them once they’ve arrived and have claimed your cat’s ears as their home. This treatment is given once per month and protects against multiple parasites.

Keeping your cat isolated from other animals that have ear mites will stop the transmission from happening. If an animal in your home is being treated for ear mites, keep that animal separated from the others until the infestation is gone.

Cleaning your cat’s ears regularly with a soft cloth will make you aware of any changes to the ears. You’ll notice any symptoms starting before the infestation is extreme. Treating ear mites when they first begin to take over the ear makes it easier to get rid of them quickly.

• See also: Cat Ear Mites vs. Wax: How to Tell the Difference

How Long Do I Have to Treat Ear Mites?

Once your cat stops itching and seems to be relieved of some of their discomfort, you might want to stop giving them the medication. If your cat is particularly difficult to restrain, it can be easy to assume that they’re cured and be done with it.

However, if the mites are still hatching, the infestation will continue. It’s important to make sure you give your cat the recommended number of treatments and continue doing so until the symptoms are gone and stay gone. If they return after the recommended number of treatment days, consult your vet for further instructions. In severe cases, it could take up to 3 weeks to fully eradicate an ear mite infestation.

Can People Get Ear Mites?

People are capable of getting ear mite infestations. The chances are unlikely that this will happen, but it can. If your cat has ear mites, the mites can spread on furniture, bedding, and blankets and then transfer to you when you come in contact with them. Ear mites are uncomfortable for people just as much as they are for the animals that they infect.

Symptoms in human ears are itchiness, inflammation, dark waxy buildup, and irritation. Some people also experience a ringing or humming in their ears known as tinnitus.

If you suspect that you have ear mites, do not use a treatment recommended for animals. Visit your doctor to get a diagnosis, and follow the treatment plan that they give you. This will likely include ear drops and antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection.

How Are Ear Mites Diagnosed?

Once ear mites are suspected, a trip to the vet is necessary to make a positive diagnosis. Knowing for sure that your cat has ear mites will enable you to begin the proper treatment immediately.

Your vet will take a sample from the ear, usually by scraping out discharge with a cotton swab. This sample is examined under a microscope, where the doctor will be able to see the mites or evidence of them.

If the cat is in extreme discomfort, getting an ear sample may require sedation.

What to Look for in an Ear Mite Treatment

First, the treatment that you choose should be suitable for cats. Make sure you don’t use treatments that are specifically for dogs. Something that says it’s safe for both dogs and cats is acceptable. Prescription treatments are more expensive than over-the-counter treatments, but they may be more effective and require less time to eliminate the ear mites.

Check the label of your treatment, and make sure it’s suitable for your cat’s age. Some treatments are not recommended for cats under 12 weeks old. If your cat has sensitive skin, choosing a gentle treatment infused with aloe or lanolin can help soothe the irritation. Harsher products may cause more discomfort.

Remember to talk with your vet before deciding on any course of treatment once the ear mite diagnosis is made.

Final Thoughts

Our best overall choice for ear mite treatment for cats is Adams Medication for Ear Mites. It contains aloe and lanolin to soothe ears and kill ear mites instantly. Our best value choice is Hartz Ear Mite Treatment for Cats. The tubes are small but affordable and the medication contains soothing aloe.

Our premium pick requires a prescription, but Revolt Topical Solution for Cats works quickly to kill ear mites and other parasites. We hope that our reviews can help you choose the best treatment to provide your kitty some relief.

You might also be interested in:

• Best Flea Treatments for Cats – Reviews & Top Picks
• Best Cat Dewormers – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock