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Why is my cat's ear swollen like a pillow? Does he need a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Bombay | Male | neutered | 18 lbs

My cat has one ear that is swollen and it looks like a pillow. No obvious signs of trauma

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 29th, 2018

Hello, sorry to hear about Black. It looks like he has a hematoma or a blood filled ear pinnae. This is typically caused due to scratching or trauma. Things that may cause Blacki to itch would be an ear infection, mites, or allergies. You should have Blacki evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out an underlying cause for this.

In terms of the swollen ear it self, there are several ways to address this such as draining and bandaging vs surgery to suture the ear flat. The latter is generally reserved for last resort after draining has failed.

This is not an emergency, but Blacki should be evaluated soon to address his ear.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 19th, 2017
Hello, sorry to hear about Sprokit. It sounds like he may have an ear hematoma. A picture would help to tell. However, those typically may take some time to heal and most of the time require medical or surgical intervention. Reason being, there is usually an underlying disease that caused the hematoma, so Sprokit may have an ear infection or ear mites or was very itchy due to allergies.

The initial steps include draining the ear and bandaging it, but this is harder to keep bandaged in cats. Ultimately, if his ear does not respond to initial management, then they may need to fix it with surgery.

I would have him evaluated by your veterinarian to ensure this is indeed an ear hematoma. If so, then he will recommend what the next step is and diagnose him with any underlying disease which may have predisposed him to developing this disease.

Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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