Our furry friend is adorable, but unfortunately, he can be affected by various pests. Some are much more well-known than others, such as ticks or fleas, but there's one that can also cause him a lot of problems: mites.
The larvae of these parasites attach to your cat's skin and feed on its blood, causing intense itching and discomfort. Depending on the species, some live in the ears and others on the skin, so it's important to know where to look and what signs to watch for. To help you avoid this, I'll tell you how to tell if your cat has mites and what you can do to get rid of them.
How to know if the cat has mites?
Mites cling to areas where the skin is thinner, as this is where they can most easily feed on the cat's blood. Therefore, they should be looked for primarily in the ears, between the toes, on the inner thighs, and in the armpits , but it's always a good idea to thoroughly examine the entire area, just in case. In the ears, in addition to itching, it's typical to see very dark earwax , brown deposits, a foul odor , and for the cat to shake its head or scratch excessively. On the skin , flaking , redness, pustules, scabs, and hair loss may appear. Without treatment, parasitic otitis externa can develop , which, if it progresses, can affect the middle or inner ear; neurological complications have been reported in rare cases.
If you see orange dots , then the animal has mites. You should also check for wounds, as the itching can be so intense that it can cause the skin to break open or the animal to lick itself so much that it injures itself . In the ear, you can sometimes see small , moving white dots (mites), but this usually needs to be confirmed by a veterinarian.
What to do?
If mites are found on the cat, it's essential to act as quickly as possible by applying an antiparasitic treatment . Nowadays, you can buy spot-on treatments that eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protecting the cat for a month. They are very easy to apply by spraying the product on the back of the neck. For ear infestations, the veterinarian may prescribe ear drops and antiparasitic medications such as selamectin or moxidectin ; in some cases, ivermectin otic is used at weekly intervals, always combined with cleaning the ear canal once or twice a week. If secondary infections develop, topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatories are added .
If your cat has wounds, it's highly recommended to apply some natural aloe vera cream , which will help them heal. But treating the cat isn't enough: it's essential to thoroughly clean the house to eliminate any mites that may be present: wash textiles in hot water, vacuum sofas and corners, disinfect food bowls, beds, and toys, and treat all contact animals to break the infestation cycle.
Veterinary diagnosis and testing
It is essential that a veterinarian diagnose the presence of mites in cats, as they are difficult to recognize with the naked eye and share symptoms with other diseases. The veterinarian will perform a complete medical history and clinical examination (mucous membranes, temperature, heart and respiratory rate, hydration status), in addition to examining the ear canal with an otoscope . For confirmation , ear swabs or exudates and superficial or deep skin scrapings (e.g., for Demodex ) are taken and examined under a microscope.
Types of mites that can affect your cat
- Otodectes cynotis: Very common in the ears; it causes itching, dark earwax, and otitis media. It can spread to the head and face if the burden is severe.
- Cati notoedres: Notoedric mange with intense itching that usually starts on the head and neck and progresses if not treated.
- demodex cati / Demodex cat: inhabit follicles and glands; can cause demodicosis in immunocompromised cats with alopecia and scabs.
- Cheyletiella spp."walking dandruff» on the surface of the hair; zoonotic (may cause transient dermatitis in humans). You can see more about the dandruff in cats.
- Neotrombicula autumnalis: orange larvae visible on thin skin (fingers, ears, groin); they cause itching and scabbing.
- Sarcoptes spp.: rare in cats; causes tunneling of the skin, redness, and intense scaling. Consult with cat mange if you suspect contagion.
Prevention and ongoing care
- Regular prophylaxis: Use pipettes, tablets or collars recommended by your veterinarian and follow the guidelines.
- Environmental hygiene: ear cleaner With appropriate products, vacuum frequently and wash cat textiles.
- Avoid infections: limit contact with infested animals and treats all cohabitants at once.
- Watch for signs: Scratching, head shaking, dark earwax, bad odor, scabs or bald spots warrant consultation.
This way, our friend can breathe easy again . Detecting the signs early, confirming with your veterinarian, and combining treatment, hygiene, and prevention is the safest way to eliminate mites and avoid long-term relapses.
