A kitten who keeps scratching an ear, shaking the head, or developing dark ear discharge may have ear mites, inflammation, or an infection. A veterinarian should examine the ear because different causes require different treatment. An online visit can help with initial triage, but it cannot inspect the deep canal or check the eardrum.
Signs of an ear problem in kittens
Look for persistent head shaking, rubbing an ear on furniture, redness, swelling, odor, tenderness, or an unusual amount of brown, black, or yellow material. Ear mites are especially common in kittens and can spread between animals. Yeast or bacteria may also contribute. Similar-looking discharge does not prove which one is involved.
What makes the problem urgent?
- Emergency: trouble walking, loss of balance, head tilt with severe distress, abnormal eye movements, collapse, or sudden neurological symptoms.
- Prompt veterinary appointment: significant pain, an injured ear, swollen ear flap, bleeding, strong odor, or persistent discharge and scratching.
- Routine evaluation: milder persistent symptoms in an otherwise well kitten. Do not delay indefinitely because the kitten still seems playful.
Problems affecting the middle or inner ear can affect balance and sometimes hearing. Early assessment helps protect your kitten.
Why an exam is important
A veterinarian may look at the ear with an otoscope and examine a swab under a microscope for mites, yeast, or bacteria. Some kittens need careful handling or sedation to examine a painful canal safely. The choice of treatment also depends on whether the eardrum is intact; some products may cause harm if used in the wrong circumstances.
Can a video veterinarian help?
A virtual clinician can review a short video of head shaking, inspect a photo of the outer ear, ask about other pets, and arrange appropriate follow-up. They cannot use an otoscope, take a swab, or remove material stuck in the ear. If the kitten is painful or unsteady, an in-person examination takes priority.
What to do while arranging care
- Keep your kitten indoors and avoid swimming or bathing until advised.
- Do not insert cotton swabs, tissues, or tweezers into the ear canal.
- Avoid vinegar, peroxide, alcohol, oils, and leftover drops; they can irritate an inflamed ear or cause other harm.
- Keep track of which pets are scratching; mites may affect more than one animal.
- Prevent repeated scratching wounds with veterinary advice on a suitable protective collar, if necessary.
What if treatment worked, then the symptoms returned?
Recurrent ear problems may involve incomplete treatment, ongoing mites in other animals, allergies, or deeper disease. Follow the prescribed course and attend the recommended recheck. A clean-looking outer ear does not guarantee that the canal is healthy.
Will every kitten need ear cleaning?
No. Healthy cats generally do not need routine cleaning. If cleaning is recommended, the veterinarian should demonstrate a kitten-safe product and method. Over-cleaning and inappropriate products can irritate the canal.
For more background, see how veterinarians evaluate ear disease in young pets, noting that treatment and common causes differ between cats and dogs.
Veterinary sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: External ear infections in cats (reviewed 2026)
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Ear infections in cats
General information only; a licensed veterinarian should evaluate ear disease in a kitten.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.