We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 5 Best Ear Mite Treatments for Cats of 2026 By Steven Asarch Steven Asarch Steven Asarch is a writer for The Spruce Pets. He has firsthand experience working with different feline products and taking care of two rambunctious felines. His cats are exceptional testers, who have tried out everything from automatic litter boxes to litter box liners and cat strollers. He loves everything high tech, especially if it's a product that he can use with his cats. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/19/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Alli Waataja Ear mites can cause itchiness and discomfort in your cat, making it crucial to find an effective treatment for their well-being. These microscopic bugs are highly contagious and irritating, producing a black discharge that will often make your cat’s ear red. Thankfully, treatment is fairly simple, primarily consisting of ointments that can be applied directly into the ear. “Ear mites cause significant discomfort to patients due to the intense itching induced,” Dr. Dolores DeHerrera, medical director at VCA Town and Country in Albuquerque, New Mexico, told The Spruce Pets. Our best overall choice is Revolution Plus, which is a veterinarian-prescribed ointment that kills multiple different parasites, including ear mites, ticks, and fleas. Just apply it to the back of your cat’s neck by parting the fur and squeezing the tube three or four times directly on the skin, once monthly, and the problem should disappear. Top Picks Best Overall: Revolution Plus Revolution Plus at Chewy $86 Jump to Review Best Drops: Happy Jack Mitex Ear Mite Treatment at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Wipes: Petpost Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Cat-Specific Formula: PetArmor Ear Mite & Tick Treatment for Cats at Amazon $7 Jump to Review Best Medicated Wipes: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Ear Therapy Wipes at Amazon $13 Jump to Review Best Overall Revolution Plus Revolution Plus Credit: Chewy $86 at Chewy View on PetMeds View on Petco What We Like Treats against multiple bugs Simple to apply Topical cream What We Don’t Like Must be prescribed by a veterinarian Getting rid of ear mites can be a hassle, but there is an easy way to solve the problem without having to put the medicine inside of your pet's ears. Dr. DeHerrera recommends using Revolution Plus, an ointment used on your feline's skin to prevent parasites in your cat. Not only does it work to eliminate ear mites, but it also prevents fleas, ticks, and roundworms. Safe for cats and kittens aged 8 weeks or older, the ointment does need to be prescribed by a veterinarian. It takes between one and two treatments to completely get rid of ear mites, reapplying once every month. You’ll know the treatment has worked when the discharge and itching disappear. To apply the ointment, you should place the tube above the back of your cat’s neck between their shoulder blades. Then, you need to squeeze the entire contents of the tube, which should take about three to four small pulses, and leave it there. You shouldn’t massage the ointment in or put it on any broken skin, nor does it go directly in your cat's ears. Active Ingredients: Selamectin,sarolaner | Volume: 0.25 to 1 milliliter per dose Best Drops Happy Jack Mitex Ear Mite Treatment Credit: Amazon $16 at Amazon View on Happyjackinc.com What We Like Works on dogs as well Easy to apply Also cleans ears What We Don’t Like Single-purpose treatment Happy Jack has required a simple drop that kills ear mites in both cats and dogs. The solution made of pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide comes in a half-ounce bottle and also soothes your pet’s aching head with aloe vera and lanolin. The solution is safe for cats 12 weeks and older and is made in the United States. To apply the drops, just squirt a few drops into each ear every day for seven to 10 days. For some cats, that might be easy enough to do, but you may have to bribe others with treats. If you need a quick solution that doesn’t need a veterinarian's prescription, then these drops are a great option. Active Ingredients: Pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide | Volume: 0.5 ounce Best Wipes Petpost Cat Ear Cleaner Wipes Credit: Amazon $17 at Amazon $17 at Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Soothes your cat’s ears Soft cotton Will clean out ear mite residue What We Don’t Like Won’t kill mites When your cat is scratching their itchy ears, you are going to need a good wipe to clean them. Ear mites can leave behind residue and create a discharge that will make the ear red. Using wipes, like these from Petpost, allows you to soothe your cat’s discomfort while cleaning off some of the damage. Made with coconut oil and aloe, the cotton wipe will make your cat feel more at ease. Keep in mind that these wipes will just clean the leftover damage the ear mites leave behind and won’t kill the little buggers. You’ll need to use this alongside one of the other treatments to make sure that the mite problem has been completely resolved. Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, aloe | Volume: 100 wipes Best Cat-Specific Formula PetArmor Ear Mite & Tick Treatment for Cats Credit: Amazon $7 $7 at Amazon View on PetSmart What We Like Formulated for cats only Eliminates ticks as well as ear mites Easy to use What We Don't Like May cause discomfort in ears These PetArmor drops, specifically formulated for cats, can be helpful because felines and canines metabolize chemicals differently. For example, the 0.06 percent pyrethrin concentration in the drops is specifically calculated for a cat's body weight, ear shape, and ear sensitivities, according to the manufacturer. This dual medication also provides relief from ticks as well as ear mites. The formula is effective because it uses pyrethins (a natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers that kills mites and ticks) and piperonyl butoxide, which enhances the effectiveness of other insecticides and is typically used in combination with pyrethroids to control various insects. It's also quite a value for money, thanks to the larger 3-ounce size. The drops are recommended for use on cats 12 weeks or older. A few reviewers expressed concern that the drops caused slight discomfort or an adverse reaction in their cats. Ears may become inflamed or reddened, which can also be bothersome. Active Ingredients: Pyrethins, piperonyl butoxide technical | Volume: 3 ounces Best Medicated Wipes Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Ear Therapy Wipes Credit: Amazon $13 at Amazon What We Like Prevents infections Alcohol-free Deodorizing Pads textured for ease of cleaning What We Don't Like May not remove heavy or impacted earwax If you are looking for wipes with a bit of medicated oomph to deodorize and clean dirt, debris, and wax from your cat's ears, these gentle, round, textured pads from Veterinary Formula may be a stress-free answer. The wipes are embedded with ingredients, such as lactic acid, to reduce excessive moisture in your pet's ear canals. Other important active ingredients include ketoconazole and salicylic acid to target and prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Since the wipes are alcohol-free, they are non-irritating even for routine use in the most sensitive feline ears. But like other wipes, they are meant to soothe symptoms of ear mites, not kill the pests directly. Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, ketoconazole, salicylic acid | Volume: 100 wipes Final Verdict Our best overall choice is Revolution Plus, which not only treats ear mites but also different types of problematic bugs. Once the treatment has been administered, you’ll need to clean the affected ear and area using a wipe like the ones offered by Petpost. What to Look For in Ear Mite Treatments Identifying Ear Mites Ear mites are microscopic, so they are impossible to see with the human eye, but infected cats will exhibit some symptoms. They’ll keep their ears down, meow in discomfort, and will have a red discharge coming from the inside of their ear. The ear will also be red and inflamed, causing it to itch wildly. Aftercare After you’ve administered the proper medicine and treatment, it’s important to maintain aftercare. Using Revolution Plus as prescribed by your veterinarian will help keep the pain away and your kitten happy. FAQ What will ear mites do to my cat? “Ear mites cause significant discomfort to patients due to the intense itching induced. Secondary ear redness and discharge can be caused by itching,” Dr. DeHerrera told The Spruce Pets. Can you treat ear mites without going to the vet? “Ear mites are best treated by topical Revolution Plus every month for two treatments. Ear medications are of more limited success or no success at all,” Dr. DeHerrera said. How long does it take to get rid of ear mites? “Revolution Plus will clear ear mites after one to two treatments; therefore, in three to six weeks,” Dr. DeHerrera said. How do you know ear mites are gone? “We know we have successfully treated ear mites when the ear discharge and itching disappear,” Dr. DeHerrera said. Why Trust The Spruce Pets This article was written by Steven Asarch, a writer and product expert, for The Spruce. A devout cat dad of two, he has expert experience figuring out which products are perfect for them. To get the best understanding of what makes a good ear mite treatment, he spoke with Dr. Dolores DeHerrera, medical director at VCA Town and Country in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Using her insights, he figured out which ear mite treatment would work the best while giving minimal discomfort to your cat's best friend. Steven has also found the best treadmills, specialized cat foods, litter box furniture, and even the best Tamagotchi. The 9 Best Laser Pointer Toys to Activate Your Cat's Hunting Instincts Explore more: What to Buy Cat Products Cat Supplies