My cat's ear looks crusty and it's losing hair. Is it normal?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria but fungal infections are possible as well). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

The area right in front of the ears typically looks like the fur is thinner there, partly because of the angle at which it stands out from the body. The skin looks healthy and there isn't anyplace I can see that is bare. That doesn't look like anything to worry about to me.

I would be worried as well. I suggest you have Penelope back to the vet for a follow-up. It looks like the ear flap is red and swollen. It is not likely ear mites because only one ear is affected. In over 25 years in the veterinary industry I have never seen only one ear affected with mites. Something else may be going on. Hopefully it is just a mild infection from the scratching but why she is scratching.....I don't know. Without examining her myself it is hard for me to say.

It looks like Apollo has been scratching that area and maybe made a scratch with one of his nails. I would be concerned if he is continuously trying to scratch his ear that he has an ear infection. I would recommend a veterinarian if he is scratching at his ear more recently to have them check his ear out. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This looks like hair loss on the tip of her ear. If the skin itself is smooth to the touch, then this is hair loss. This could be due to some kind of trauma, so I would suggest monitoring this to see if it resolves on its own within the next few weeks. Hair is slow to grow back fully, so as long as there is some hair growth in that time frame, that is considered progress. If the skin itself is not smooth, then an infection is likely present which needs to be checked by your local veterinarian for proper treatment. I hope that Kitty's ear issue resolves soon! Best of luck and take care.

Hi! It appears that you are seeing the blood vessels of Jasper's ear with good lighting. The ear does not look abnormal from the photo but if you see changes to the skin of the ear tips, swelling, pain, head shaking, hairless, or increased redness, he should be assessed by a veterinarian.

That sounds most like an old dried blood clot. He could have had a small nick that bled, or a current ear infection, or even an ear polyp (which are pretty common in cats, although usually younger ones than Mr. President). I'd recommend a vet visit to get that checked out.