Q: What's the Black Stuff in Cat's Ears?
Q: I just watched your cleaning cats ears video. I am wondering about the dark black stuff in one of my cats ears. Will weekly cleaning solve the problem or is a medication needed to get rid of it?
A: It sounds like your cat's ears should be checked by your vet. Dark black stuff that looks like coffee grinds could be ear mites. This is more common in cats that go outdoors and it is easily treated with a medication. If it is not ear mites, it sounds like a pretty bad ear infection and will most likely require a topical medication to clear it up.
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Comments (0)
EarGunk December 29, 2009 9:29 AM
FlagMy cat has dark brownish-black stuff in one of his ears, too. He scratches at it and sometimes cries a little, but has no pain or head shaking or anything. It's more like a black earwax that is part catnip or something. He had a large chunk near the outside that I used the end of a q-tip to get out, and he nearly attacked me so he could eat the stuff off the cotton. After that, he sat up and scratched then frantically licked his claws clean. After that, he kept rubbing his wrist on his ear and continued to keep licking his paw. He only did it to that one ear. What is that stuff?
ReplyAshley R F. February 10, 2010 9:25 AM
FlagOur cat, Romo had the same problem. He also has a lot of wheezing while breathing, especially while sleeping. Our vet did a complete examination and cleaned his ears to check for ear mites and we found that this black substance is caused from allergies. Now more recently we read up on the subject and found that cats can be allergic to certain foods such a chicken, pork, fish..etc. We also found where they can just be allergic to pollens and such just like humans, and also certain fabrics. I hope this helps. Now we are trying to figure out what he is allergic to exactly. That's the not so fun part!
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