Ear mites in cats are tiny parasitic insects that look like tiny white dots, barely visible to the naked eye. They are microscopic and have eight legs. What is more noticeable is the effect of their presence: dark, coffee-ground- like debris in the cat's ear canal, which is a mixture of ear wax, dried blood, and mite debris. This dark brown or black discharge often looks granular or crusty and may be accompanied by redness, inflammation, and a foul odor in the ears. Cats with ear mites may scratch their ears excessively and shake their heads due to irritation. In some cases, tiny white specks, which are the mites themselves, may be seen moving inside the ear canal. The ears may also appear scabby or have hair loss around them from scratching.