Where does a domestic cat acquire ear mites? - briefly
Ear mites are typically transmitted to cats through direct contact with other infested animals or by exposure to contaminated bedding, grooming tools, or environments where infected hosts have been present. Indoor cats can acquire them from stray or rescued cats brought into the home, while outdoor cats often pick them up from wildlife such as rodents or feral felines.
Where does a domestic cat acquire ear mites? - in detail
Domestic cats typically become infested with ear mites through direct or indirect exposure to the parasite Otodectes cynotis. The most common routes of transmission are:
- Contact with another infested animal – grooming, fighting, or sharing sleeping areas with a cat, dog, rabbit, or ferret that already carries the mite.
- Shared bedding or grooming tools – blankets, collars, brushes, or combs that have not been disinfected after use on an infected animal.
- Environment contaminated with mite debris – surfaces such as carpets, furniture, or litter boxes where mite eggs or larvae have settled; the parasites can survive for several days without a host.
- Maternal transmission – kittens may acquire mites from their mother during nursing or close contact in the first weeks of life.
- Exposure in shelters, boarding facilities, or multi‑cat households – high animal density increases the likelihood of cross‑infection.
Mite life cycle facilitates spread: adult females lay eggs in the ear canal, which hatch into larvae within 3–4 days. Larvae mature into nymphs and then adults over a period of 2–3 weeks, during which they can be transferred to another host through the mechanisms listed above. Preventive measures focus on regular inspection of the ears, isolation of newly introduced animals, and thorough cleaning or disinfection of shared items and environments.