Introduction

To prevent ear mites in cats, it is important to thoroughly treat any previous cases, and to treat all animals in the household if an ear mite infection occurred in one of the pets. Ear mite prevention may also be achieved by using topical flea treatments such as revolution or frontline.

Preventing Ear Mites in Cats

Ear mites are tiny little mites, and they not only live in cats’ ears but they can also survive on a cat’s hair coat and bedding. If one cat in the household has had an incidence of ear mites, all pets should be treated because these mites are contagious to pets. The house should be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed, and the pets’ bedding and toys should be washed in hot water and detergent. To ensure that additional outbreaks of ear mites do not occur, it is important to follow the treatment instructions provided by a veterinarian.

Medication

Topical flea treatments such as revolution and frontline may also be used to prevent ear mites in cats. Revolution is prescribed as a treatment for ear mites, but it may also help to reduce future incidences. Frontline is not prescribed for ear mite treatment, but it is often used as an ‘off label’ medication for ear mite treatment and prevention. An ‘off label’ use of a medication means that the product is not prescribed for the condition, but that veterinarians have found it to be effective in their own practices.

Periodically looking inside your pets’ ears, and watching out for symptoms of ear mites, may also help you to catch an ear mite outbreak early before it begins to affect all animals in the household.