Like most cat owners, if you take every opportunity to scratch, rub or cuddle your cat, you may also be the kind of owner who notices odd things. Observant owners are very good at telling when something is not quite right or unusual.
Sometimes, it seems like a cat’s ears are unusually warm. Are they? The answer is yes, that can be, and the reasons for that may not be what you think. In some cases, it’s nothing to worry about.
In other cases, you may want to take a closer look. So why are my cat’s ears hot?
For the record, a cat’s normal body temperature is 101.0 to 102.5°F. A healthy human runs at around 98.6°F. If you feel confident enough, you can take a cat’s temperature through its ears with a pet thermometer.
Part of a cat’s amazing body heat management system resides in the ears. They form part of a complex control system that includes the nose, tail, and paws.
Cats, like humans, can suffer from allergies. Allergic reactions can generally cause bodily reactions like a rise in temperature. In cats, this might mean that the ears warm up.
Ear infections aren’t as common in cats as they are in dogs. Hot ears are also not necessarily the most obvious symptom of an ear infection. That said, you may notice your cat is bothered by something related to its ears.
One common affliction, especially in kittens, older cats, and cats that love being outdoors, is ear mites. When mites are present, the ears become inflamed, and little black spots of debris appear inside the ear.
In most cases, your cat’s ears may simply be hot because it’s going about their normal business of regulating your cat’s body temperature. If your cat is acting otherwise normal and healthy, there’s nothing to worry about.