What's the black dirt in cat's ears?

The black dirt in a cat's ears may be due to the accumulation of ear wax because the ears haven't been cleaned for a long time. In this case, you can simply use pet-specific ear drops to help clean the cat's ears. However, if the cat shows other abnormal behaviors, such as itching, frequent shaking of the head, increased secretions, etc., it could be caused by ear mites or ear inflammation. As these two diseases have many similar symptoms, it is recommended that the owner take the cat to the pet hospital for sampling and inspection to determine the specific cause of the disease before treating it with medication, which will yield the best results.

Ear dirt

If the owner hasn't cleaned the cat's ears for a long time, it will lead to a large amount of ear dirt. If this is the case, the cat generally won't show other abnormal symptoms. Just use pet-specific ear drops to clean the cat's ears after discovering the dirt. Never clean the ears with water, alcohol, or vinegar. It is generally recommended to clean the cat's ears once a week. Also, be sure not to get water into the cat's ears when bathing it.

Ear mites infection

After a cat is infected with ear mites, black dirt will also appear in the ears, along with symptoms such as itching, frequent shaking of the head, and scratching the ear backs. If not controlled, the cat may easily break the skin and even cause ear edema. Therefore, it is necessary to go to the pet hospital in time after discovering the problem. The black secretions in the cat's ears will be examined under a microscope. If it is ear mites, clean the ear canal with pet ear cleaning solution first, then use a cotton swab to remove the secretions. After cleaning, apply an ear medication to kill the mites.

Ear inflammation

A cat with ear inflammation will also secrete black paste-like substances and mucus, along with symptoms such as redness and swelling inside the ear, shaking the head, itching, increased secretions, and a distinct smell. It is mainly composed of blood, inflammatory secretions, and self-produced ear wax. It is recommended not to handle it yourself, but to take the black paste and mucus to the pet hospital for inspection. After determining the condition, treat it with appropriate medication.