Content
Why does a cat press its ears: when to ignore and when to contact a vet
14.02.2023 06:50
Updated: 14.04.2023 01:09
Pets are a source of mysteries and regular discoveries. Cats are especially successful in this, their behavior can surprise for many years.
As soon as the owner decided that he had fully studied his pet, the furry friend changes his behavior again, confusing the person. For example, not everyone knows how to react when a cat presses its ears. But this can be a symptom of a serious illness.
Sign of condition
Cats press their ears for various reasons. Often, it is a reflection of their current state. If the animal is tense, its ears are pressed, and its eyes are looking around warily, then the cat is in combat readiness and is about to attack. This happens when something has scared it.
For example, another cat. Ears are a delicate and vulnerable part of the body, so they need to be pressed down so as not to be damaged in a fight.
If your pet presses its ears, is tense and looks angrily when you pet it, this is a sign that it doesn’t like it.
He is preparing to either run away or attack, and then run away. Often such a reaction can be noticed if strangers try to pet the animal.
But if during stroking the cat is relaxed, its eyes are closed, and its whole posture demonstrates pleasure, it means that the animal is pressing its ears simply so that they do not interfere with stroking.
When is it time to go to the vet?
But if the cat often presses its ears for no apparent reason (nothing frightens or irritates it), shakes its head, scratches them with its paw more often than usual, sometimes scratching them until they bleed, this is an alarming sign.
It is better to go to the vet immediately. Sometimes it will be enough to simply clean the ear canal, as the animal may have a wax plug.
But there are also serious diseases. For example, otitis. As a rule, in this case the pet presses only one ear.
Ear problems can also be caused by:
- microscopic mites;
- food allergy;
- foreign bodies entering the ear canal;
- streptococci;
- inflammatory processes after exposure to water;
- damage caused by ear cleaning.
Only a veterinarian can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Most problems are relatively easy to fix if you contact a specialist in time. But if you ignore the symptoms, the story can end with difficult, expensive treatment, or even complete deafness.
