If you’ve been noticing black gunk in your cat’s ears, you may be wondering if it’s mites. You may have even gone so far as to think that it’s mites – but don’t worry, you’re not the only one!
In this article, we’ll talk about what the black gunk is, and why it’s there. We’ll also dispel some of the myths about mites that are commonly circulated on the internet. Keep reading to learn more!
What Is The Black Gunk In My Cat’s Ears – It’s Not Mites
The black gunk in your cat’s ears is not mites, it is an infection called otitis externa. Otitis externa is a common infection in cats and can be caused by a variety of factors such as allergies, parasites, or bacteria. The outer part of the ear may be red and inflamed, whereas the inner part looks like it has black gunk/mites.
Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear. It is also commonly known as “swimmer’s ear.” Otitis externa can affect both dogs and cats but is more common in cats. The most common symptom of otitis externa is that the ear looks like it is full of mites followed by a discharge that is yellow or green in color. Other symptoms may include itching, redness, and pain.
While the precise cause of otitis externa in cats is not known, there are several possible contributing factors. These include allergies, bacteria, foreign bodies (such as grass seeds), and underlying skin conditions. In some cases, a combination of these factors may be responsible.
Otitis externa can also be a secondary condition that results from another disease process such as hypothyroidism or diabetes. Treatment of otitis externa often requires a combination of medical and environmental therapy. Medical therapy may include antibiotics, antifungal medications, steroids, and/or other medications depending on the underlying cause. Environmental therapy typically involves cleaning the ears regularly and avoiding whatever is triggering the condition.
There are a few ways to tell if your cat has otitis externa. One is by looking at the ears themselves. The outer part of the ear may be red and inflamed, or there may be discharge coming from the ear. The ear may also be very itchy, causing your cat to scratch at it frequently.
Is It Normal For Cats To Have Black Ear Wax?
Most of the time, ear wax is brown. However, when there is a lot of ear wax build-up, the ear wax can trap dirt and other particles which can make it appear black. If your cat has black ear wax, you might think it is a yeast, bacterial infection, ear mites, or other irritations. But this is not always the case. If the cat’s ear doesn’t smell bad, cleaning it with a cotton ball will solve the problem.
The wax is formed in the cat’s ears when they are cleaning themselves. The earwax protects the ear canal from dirt, dust, and other debris that could cause irritation. So, it is actually the job of the ear wax to catch the dirt before it goes into the ear canal. Therefore, your cat having black ear wax actually means that the wax did a great job and captured the dirt.
If you notice that your cat’s ears are starting to look dirty, it is important to clean them out with a cotton ball or Q-tip. Be sure not to insert anything into the ear canal itself, as this could damage the delicate tissue.
If your cat has black earwax, it’s probably just dirt and debris that has built up over time. To clean it, you’ll need to use a cotton ball or Q-tip dipped in warm water. Gently wipe the inside of your cat’s ears, being careful not to go too deep. You may also want to use a little bit of veterinary ear cleaner if your cat has a lot of wax build-up.
After you’ve cleaned the inside of your cat’s ears, give them a good petting and maybe even a treat! They’ll be happy to have their ears nice and clean again.
How Do You Get Rid of Black Ear Wax in Cats?
Cats have some of the most sensitive hearing of all mammals. They can even hear better than dogs. In order to keep your cat’s ears healthy, it’s important to check them once a week for black wax, debris, and infection.
Here is how to get rid of black ear wax in cats:
1. Gather the required materials
To clean your cat’s ears, you’ll need cotton balls or pads, a mild pet-safe ear cleanser, and a towel. You may also want to have some treats on hand to reward your cat for being cooperative.
I have been using this ear cleanser from amazon.com.
2. Inspect your cat’s ears
The first thing you should do when checking your cat’s ears is to check the outside of their ears. A healthy cat ear has a layer of fur on its outside surface with no bald spots. Its inner surfaces are clean and light pink in color.
If you see any discharge, redness, or swelling, or if your cat is excessively scratching one or both ears, or shaking his or her head, you’re going to need to bring your cat to the veterinarian for a thorough exam.
Now, to inspect the inner ear gently fold back each ear and look down into the canal. A healthy ear will be pale pink in color and should have no debris or odor and minimal ear wax. If you find that your cat’s ears smell bad, you should probably take your cat to the vet as an infection could be in place.
3. Clean the black wax
To clean the black wax in your cat’s ear, put a little bit of liquid ear cleaner onto a clean cotton ball or a piece of gauze and fold your kitty’s ear back gently. Wipe away any debris and black ear wax that you can see on the underside of their ear.
Lift away the dirt and black wax rather than rubbing it into the ear. Then, apply cleaner to a new cotton ball or gauze and place it into the lowest part of the ear canal that you can see. Gently massage the base of the ear to help loosen debris up and out of the ear canal.
4. Set an ear cleaning routine
The frequency with which you should clean your cat’s ears will depend on a few different factors, including the environment in which they live, their overall health, and whether or not they have any ear problems. If your cat lives mainly indoors and has no health issues, then you can probably get away with cleaning their ears twice a month. However, if your cat lives outdoors or has any kind of health issue that could affect its ears, then you may need to clean them more frequently.
Even with regular care and maintenance of your cat’s ears, problems can arise and your veterinarian needs to be notified immediately. Keep an eye out for any of the following problems: persistent scratching and pawing of the ear area, loss of balance, redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal, black or yellowish discharge, and accumulation of dark brown wax.
