TL;DR: Excessive ear scratching in cats is usually caused by irritation or infection and, while not typically an emergency, requires a veterinary visit within 48 hours to prevent complications like aural hematomas.
Why is my cat scratching the base of their ear?
- Excessive scratching is a common sign of feline ear discomfort and irritation.
- Pawing at the area often indicates inflammation within the ear canal or on the surrounding skin.
- This behavior is frequently triggered by ear mites, bacterial or yeast infections, environmental allergies, or foreign bodies lodged in the ear.
Is excessive ear scratching an emergency for my cat?
- Urgency Level: Low. While not a life-threatening emergency, the discomfort level for your cat is often quite high.
- We recommend scheduling a veterinary appointment within 24 to 48 hours.
- If left untreated, chronic scratching can cause the ear flap to swell with blood (aural hematoma) or lead to painful secondary skin infections.
How does sending a photo help with my cat’s ear triage?
- Capturing a clear, well-lit photo of the ear base and the inside of the ear flap is incredibly helpful for our triage team.
- Visualizing skin color, the presence of discharge (dark, waxy, or pus-like), and visible sores allows us to better assess severity.
- A photo helps us provide more specific advice and guidance until you can reach the clinic.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cats, excessive scratching at the ear base can be attributed to several causes. Ear canal tumors, more common in middle-aged to older cats, can manifest with unilateral chronic otic discharge (ceruminous, purulent, mucoid, or hemorrhagic), necrotic odor, head shaking, and ear scratching; aural hematomas and draining abscesses in the parotid region may also result. Otitis externa, frequently caused by mites (especially of the family Psoroptidae), also presents with head shaking, continual ear scratching, and ear droop. Feline proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa, a rare disease of unknown cause, can affect cats from 2 months to 12 years of age.
Chapter: Oncology, Otolaryngology, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 534)