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Why is my cat's ear red, matted with liquid, and losing fur?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 11 months and 19 days old | 10 lbs

The back of my cats ear is very red and he has what looks like liquid matted in the fur there. I tried to wipe it off to clean it and fur came with it. I noticed a little scratch on his ear on Tuesday but no pus or liquid til this morning. What is wrong?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Tomasz Wnuk

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on August 20th, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect that some sticky, irritant liquid got stuck to the ear causing skin irritation and loss of fur. Please, try and clean the ear with an antiseptic skin solution twice daily for 2-3 days (for example 4% chlorhexidine). However, if the ear remains red, inflamed or if it starts bothering Abu, you should take him to your local vets for an appointment.
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