Cat Care, Breeds and Resources Blog

Ear mites are a common problem for cats, especially cats who are allowed outdoors. Ear mites, scientific name Otodectes cynotis, are a crab-like parasite that lives on the surface of the ear canal of animals. They are easy to spot; if your cat has them, it will look like he has black, oily dirt inside his ear. The mites will make your cat uncomfortable and itchy while they feed on debris and tissue in the ear.

If you see your cat scratching their ears or shaking their head and see dirty ears, it is likely that you cat is suffering from ear mites. It is important to treat your cat for these parasites. They are very contagious among cats and if you have multiple cats, it can spread quickly. So, if one of your cats gets ear mites, check all of your cats for this problem.

If caught early, they are easy to remedy. Simply take your cat to a vet. She will clean out the cat’s ears, then put an medicated ointment in them, which you will have to do usually twice a day for a few days.

If they are not caught early, ear mites can cause inflammation in the ears, and if left untreated, these pesky parasites can lead to bacterial and yeast infections and can eventually rupture the eardrum. Often, ruptured ear drums in cats can lead to seizures and eventually deafness. So, if you think that your cat has ear mites, take your cat to the vet.

The easiest way to keep ear mites away is to treat your cat regularly with a flea prevention formula like Advantage. Most of these treatments are applied monthly and are successful in preventing mites, as well as killing fleas and their eggs.

You Gave Me Ear Mites, You Bugger!

Purrs, Frankie

Kira here. Yeah, she’s right, ear mites can be a real problem. But I’m not laughing at that silly picture. I’d like to see one of my siblings try to get me in a choke-hold, I’d show them a paw or two! Kira

P.S. If you want to see more great photos and get more information on cats, check out Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

More funny photos of cats being bathed and a video of one that loves the bathtub! Remember, only bathe your cat when they really need to be bathed. We hear of people bathing cats just because they think they are supposed to.

How Could You Do This To me?

What Was That All About?

Some cats like to bathe — believe it or not. Here’s a video of a Sphynx Cat playing in her bath:

Kira here. Humans just can’t get enough of seeing us in pain, can they? And what’s with that hairless cat? He was born missing more than just hair if you ask me. Kira

P.S. If you want to see more great photos and get more information on cats, check out Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

August 20th is National Homeless Animal Day
Saturday, August 20th, is National Homeless Animal Day. If you have room in your heart and in your home, there are many beautiful, loving, orphaned animals in need, ready to fill that space.

Think about adopting an older cat instead of a kitten. Kittens get adopted pretty fast. But, adults are usually already house trained, they’ve mellowed out some — not as rambunctious as a kitten — and don’t need as much attention as a kitten. Some adults are in shelters because their humans became too ill to care for them or have died, literally leaving the cat(s) orphaned.

Tara and Bruce “Kamikaze” Lee sleeping together

And remember, only you can end the tragedy of unwanted companion animals. Spay or neuter your pets.

At least MY humans “get it.” I’ve trained them well. I and all my feline family have lived on the mean streets, and believe me, streets are REALLY mean when you are a cat. Cars, dogs and psychopaths wait at every turn with nothing else to do but chase, injure, or even kill you. Don’t be an irresponsible breeder — of cats or humans.

Kira (with the support of the entire cat family).

I thought you said it was WARM!

Kira, here. You wouldn’t catch me falling for the old, “But it’s warm water.” Those humans must be punished. A nice game of shred the sofa should balance things out nicely. Purr.