Your feline friend is in your lap, purring and cuddling. You touch its cute, furry head and you notice that your cat’s ears are hot. Naturally, you start asking yourself “Why are my cat’s ears hot?”, “Is my feline companion feeling okay?”, “Should I call the vet immediately?”. It is completely normal to be worried about your furry friend’s wellbeing.
But, is there a reason to be concerned? Or, maybe this is just a normal occurrence and you haven’t noticed it by now. How can you know if hot ears are part of the symptoms that may be a sign that your cat has been feeling under the weather?
Okay, your cat’s ears are hot, but have you noticed any changes in its behavior? Are there other symptoms that you may have overlooked?
Although your kitty having hot ears may not be alarming, its health is a priority, and there are several reasons that may explain why this is happening. Keep reading the article below to find out what are these reasons.
My Cats Ears Are Hot – What Can Be the Cause?
There are various reasons why your kitty has hot ears, and some may be related to its health, while others are not.
Hot Cat Ears – Health-Related Symptom
Sometimes when your cat’s ears are hot it might be because of a health problem. What health conditions your feline friend could be battling if its ears feel hot?
Your Cat Is Having an Allergic Reaction
If you notice other symptoms like redness or itching, allergies may be the reason for your kitty’s hot ears. Other symptoms that it may show are watery eye discharge and maybe even sneezing. Allergies in cats are more common than you may think. What could cause an allergic reaction? Pollen, dust, mold, grass, flea bites, or even food can be the reason for your cat having allergies.
If you suspect that your feline is having an allergic reaction, consult with a veterinarian for further treatment and checkups.
Your Cat Is Feverish
Hot ears are just one symptom of fever which should be accompanied by other symptoms. If your kitty is feverish check if its belly and underarms are hot as well.
Furthermore, vomit may be another symptom of your cat having a fever together with diarrhea and a change in appetite. Also, you may notice your furry ball feeling a little bit lethargic and that it isn’t in the mood for playtime.
However, these symptoms are not enough to confirm that your kitty is having a fever. Take your cat to the vet for a check-up, or if you are feeling up for it take its temperature yourself with a rectal thermometer.
Your Cats Ears Are Hot Because of Ear Mites
If your cat is scratching its ears more than usual, and maybe even other parts of the body, ear mites may have taken residence in its ears. These troublesome parasites can make your kitty scratch and rub its ears from sharp objects which will cause them to feel hot.
Ear mites can cause infections, so as soon as you notice that your kitty has ear mites take it to the veterinarian immediately. How will you notice this? If you see ear wax like black coffee grounds, that should be the clue.
Ear mites are more common in outdoor cats. And, notice that if you have other pets they can be easily spread from one animal to another.
Nevertheless, there are other parasites that can cause ear infections, so check your cat’s ears regularly to ensure you detect them on time.
Your Cat Is Battling an Ear Infection
The first sign of an ear infection may not be the hot ears, but your kitty could be rubbing them on furniture which would make them warm to the touch. Some other symptoms your cat may be showing if it has an ear infection are loss of balance, shaking and tilting its head, a lot of ear wax, and a foul smell coming from the ears.
Ear infections can be quite dangerous. If they are not detected and treated on time, they can lead to hearing loss. In relation, an ear infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, poor hygiene, untreated allergies, or some injury.
A trip to the vet is a must in the case of an ear infection. Proper treatment and early detection will ensure your kitty is safe and healthy.
Hot Cat Ears – When There Is No Reason for Concern
There are other reasons why your cat’s ears are hot that are not related to health issues. So, if your cat doesn’t have a fever, an infection, or an allergic reaction, what could be the cause for its hot ears?
Your Cat Is Simply Normal
A cat’s normal body temperature runs higher than a human’s. So, if your furry friend doesn’t show any other symptoms and it is behaving normally, it is perfectly normal for its ears to feel warmer to the human touch.
Your Cat Is Regulating Its Body Temperature
Cats love sunny spots, and you may have noticed this when it takes the only sunny space in the room. But, if the weather is too hot, then it will use its ears to let go of body heat. We may be sweating through every pore of our skin, but a cat’s body increases blow flow to its ears, paws, and nose so that it avoids overheating. This is the way in which a feline releases excess heat and regulates its body temperature.
Your Cat Is Having a Heatstroke
Outdoor cats lose heat faster than indoor cats. So, if your kitty’s ears are hot, it may be because it’s having a heatstroke. Since our furry friends rely on external cooling and panting to control and lower their body temperature, you can help your feline companion by regularly ventilating the room that it is in, and providing access to a bowl of fresh water.
Stress Can Be Another Reason for Your Cat’s Hot Ears
Stress can trigger some physiological reactions in the body, and this can cause your kitty to have hot ears. In relation, changes in their environment, strangers in their home, changes in their diet, and many other factors can contribute to this stress.
Pay attention to your feline friend and if you notice that it is not as sociable, that it doesn’t use its litter box, or that it displays some signs of restlessness, it may be going through some stressful period and try to find out what would be the cause for this stress.
However, bear in mind that every cat is different, and what affects one cat, may not affect another. So, if you are worried about your feline, you could never go wrong with arranging a vet visit.
What If My Cat’s Ears Are Cold?
During the colder months, your cat’s ears may be colder to touch because its body is trying to conserve heat. This is normal if your kitty doesn’t show any other symptoms.
However, if your cat is trembling, looking for warmer spaces, and shivering, it might feel cold, so try to wrap it in a blanket or let it curl up on the bed. If your furry friend is healthy, its ears will become warmer.
Any temperature below forty-five degrees Fahrenheit is considered too low, and this is the time you would want to take your cat to the veterinarian.
How Can I Take Care of My Cats Ears?
The first thing you can do for your kitty’s ears is to check them properly and often. This will ensure that you catch any kind of infection or other condition on time.
Moreover, cleaning your feline friend’s ears is mandatory if you want to avoid wax build-up and ear infections. But, choosing the right cleaner is crucial because some of them are very oily and lead to infection and yeast growth.
Cleaners for cat ears that have artificial fragrances and alcohol are not a good choice either, because they can sting, and make your cat feel uncomfortable.
Occasionally cleaning your cat’s ears can be an enjoyable bonding moment if you give it a little treat after the cleaning process is done.
In addition, regular veterinary check-ups will help with the prevention and early detection of any kind of medical condition.
To Sum Up
There are occasions when your cat’s ear temperature may be a sign that your companion is having some health issue. And, your cat’s ears can tell you a lot about your furry friend’s health. They are not just cute, they play a crucial role in their life.
But, usually, if there is a reason to be worried, there will be other symptoms accompanying the hot ears. If you suspect that your cat is not well, consult with a veterinarian or take it for a check-up immediately.