Cat Head Shaking & Ear Scratching: Causes
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A cat that keeps shaking its head or scratching at its ears almost always has ear irritation — most commonly ear mites, an ear infection, or trapped debris or wax. Ear mites are especially frequent in kittens and cause dark, crumbly, coffee-ground-like discharge. Persistent head shaking, a bad smell, discharge, redness or pain means it's time for a vet visit, since untreated ear problems can worsen and even affect balance.
When to see the vet
Book a vet visit — and treat it as more urgent if severe — when you notice:
- Constant head shaking or ear scratching that won't settle
- A foul smell, or dark, waxy, pus-like, or bloody discharge
- Red, swollen, hot or painful ears
- A head tilt, loss of balance, circling, or unusual eye movements
- A soft, swollen ear flap (a blood blister called an aural hematoma from head shaking)
A head tilt or balance trouble can mean the infection has reached the deeper ear, which needs prompt care. Vigorous head shaking can also burst blood vessels in the ear flap, so early treatment prevents complications.
The most common causes
Head shaking and ear scratching share a short list of usual causes:
| Cause | Typical picture |
|---|---|
| Ear mites | Very common in kittens; dark, dry, coffee-ground-like debris and intense itching in both ears |
| Ear infection (bacterial or yeast) | Odor, moist or waxy discharge, redness and pain |
| Wax buildup or a foreign body | A grass seed or debris irritating one ear |
| Allergies | Skin allergies often show up as recurring ear inflammation |
| Polyps or growths | Especially with chronic, one-sided signs |
Ear mites are contagious between pets, so if one animal in the home has them, your vet may recommend treating the others too.
Ear mites vs. infection
Owners often assume any ear problem is mites, but they're not the same and need different treatment. Ear mites classically produce dry, dark, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds, usually in both ears, and are most common in kittens and young cats. A true bacterial or yeast infection tends to produce a stronger odor and moister, waxy or pus-like discharge, and is more common in adults, often on top of an allergy.
You can't reliably tell them apart by eye, which matters because mite treatment won't fix a bacterial infection and vice versa. Your vet confirms the cause by looking at a swab under the microscope.
Why not to reach for a Q-tip
Practical take: Never dig into your cat's ear canal with a cotton swab. Q-tips can pack debris deeper, damage the delicate canal, or injure the eardrum. To clean the visible part of the ear, use a vet-approved feline ear cleaner and a cotton ball, wiping only what you can easily see. When in doubt, let your vet clean the ears first.
For a step-by-step, see our guide on how to clean a cat's ears safely.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your vet examines the ears with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum, and looks at a sample of the discharge under the microscope to identify mites, bacteria or yeast. Treatment is tailored to the cause:
- Ear mites — a vet-recommended parasite treatment, often one of the modern spot-on products, plus treating other pets
- Infections — a thorough cleaning and prescribed ear medication for the specific bug involved
- Foreign bodies or polyps — removal, sometimes under sedation
- Underlying allergies — longer-term management to stop recurrences
Finish the full course of any prescribed medication even if the ear looks better, and return for a recheck so your vet can confirm the problem has fully cleared.
Why tracking ear problems helps
Chronic and recurring ear trouble is common, especially in cats with underlying allergies, and each episode can look minor on its own. Logging when head shaking starts, which ear is involved, the type of discharge, and how often flares happen helps your vet see whether you're dealing with a one-off or a recurring pattern that needs allergy management. It also helps confirm that a treatment actually worked rather than just quieted things temporarily.
Keep tabs on recurring ear trouble
Tavi lets you log ear symptoms, which ear is affected, treatments and photos over time — so recurring infections and their triggers are easy to spot and share with your vet. Free for your first pet.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my cat keep shaking its head and scratching its ears?
The most common reasons are ear mites, an ear infection, or trapped wax and debris. Ear mites, especially in kittens, cause dark coffee-ground-like discharge and intense itching. Persistent head shaking, odor, discharge or pain should be checked by a vet, since the right treatment depends on the exact cause.
How can I tell if my cat has ear mites?
Ear mites classically cause dry, dark, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds, usually in both ears, along with intense scratching and head shaking. They are most common in kittens. Because ear mites and infections look similar and need different treatments, your vet should confirm by examining a swab under the microscope.
Can I clean my cat's ears with a cotton swab?
No. Cotton swabs can push debris deeper, damage the ear canal, or injure the eardrum. Use only a vet-approved ear cleaner and a cotton ball to gently wipe the visible part of the ear. If the ears are very dirty, painful or infected, have your vet clean them first.
Are ear mites contagious to my other pets?
Yes, ear mites spread easily between cats and dogs through close contact. If one pet is diagnosed, your vet will often recommend treating the other animals in the home as well to prevent reinfection. Ear mites do not typically infest humans.
When is a cat's ear problem an emergency?
Seek prompt veterinary care if your cat develops a head tilt, loss of balance, circling, or a suddenly swollen ear flap, or if the ear is very painful, bleeding or foul-smelling. These can indicate a deeper ear infection or a blood blister from head shaking that needs timely treatment.
Tavi's guides are informational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. Sources: Cornell University Feline Health Center; VCA Animal Hospitals; American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP); Merck Veterinary Manual; International Cat Care