How do ear mites infect cats? - briefly
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) spread through direct contact with an infested animal or via contaminated bedding, grooming tools, or shared environments, allowing the parasites to crawl onto a cat’s ears. Once inside the ear canal, they attach to the skin, feed on wax and tissue fluids, and provoke irritation and inflammation.
How do ear mites infect cats? - in detail
Ear mites, primarily Otodectes cynotis, reach a cat’s ear canal through direct contact with an infested animal or contaminated environment. When a healthy cat rubs its head against an infected companion, the mites transfer onto the skin of the ear opening. The parasites then crawl into the canal, where the warm, dark conditions favor their survival.
Once inside, the mites attach to the epithelial lining and feed on cerumen and skin debris. Their mouthparts pierce the thin skin, causing micro‑trauma that triggers inflammation. The cat’s immune response produces excess wax and fluid, creating a moist medium that supports mite reproduction. Female mites lay 2–5 eggs per day; eggs hatch into larvae within 3–4 days, progress to protonymphs, then to adult mites in about 10–14 days. This rapid life cycle results in a growing population that intensifies irritation.
Transmission continues as the cat shakes its head or scratches, dispersing mites onto fur, paws, and surrounding surfaces. Contaminated bedding, grooming tools, and shared spaces become secondary reservoirs. New hosts acquire the parasites through the same physical contact or by contacting these contaminated items.
Key stages of the infection process:
- Initial transfer: Direct contact with an infested animal or contaminated surface.
- Colonization: Migration into the external ear canal and attachment to the skin.
- Feeding and irritation: Mechanical damage and inflammatory response generate excess wax.
- Reproduction: Egg laying, hatching, and maturation within two weeks, expanding the mite load.
- Secondary spread: Dispersal via scratching, head‑shaking, and environmental contamination.
Understanding each step clarifies why early detection and thorough environmental decontamination are essential to halt the infestation.