Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ears of animals and humans, with the most commonly seen species in veterinary medicine being Otodectes cynotis. Ear mites in cats are highly contagious and can cause severe irritation and secondary damage to the ear. Symptoms of ear mites in cats can range in severity depending on the level of infestation and can include inflammation, intense itchiness, and an unusually dark colored ear wax. Other symptoms include cats scratching at their ears and shaking their heads to attempt to relieve their discomfort, and you may notice that their ears droop. Ear mites can cause inflammatory symptoms, similar to bacterial and yeast infections, and can quickly spread from one cat to another through direct contact. Ear mites in cats can be diagnosed by a veterinarian through an ear exam or by taking a swab and looking at it under a microscope. Both systemic and topical treatments are available, including systemic selamectin, moxidectin, ivermectin, and milbemycin. Topical treatments are also available, and cleaning the cats ears with an appropriate cleaning solution may be recommended. If left untreated, ear mites can cause more serious problems such as skin disease in areas other than the ear like the neck and tail, and deafness.