What it Means if a Cat’s Ears are Hot

If you've ever noticed that your cat's ears feel unusually warm, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. While it's normal for a cat's ears to feel warm due to increased blood flow when they're excited or after vigorous play, persistently hot ears might indicate something more serious. Potential causes for hot ears include fever, infections, or heatstroke. Understanding these signs can help you ensure your feline friend remains healthy and happy.

Cats' ears are super interesting. Each ear can rotate independently a full 180 degrees allowing kitty to zero in on the direction of even the quietest sound. Each ear has 32 muscles that rotate the pinnae (ear flaps) in the precise direction from which the robin is chirping, or from which the electric can opener is playing its enticing melody. Cat ears also are mood barometers that provide cues to how the cat is feeling. A stressed or upset cat will flatten her ears against her head while ear facing forward typically means you have a happy kitty in your presence. An increase in temperature of the ears; however, may signal that your cat has a fever or infection, or may be suffering from heatstroke. 

Causes of Hot Ears

Cats are warm-blooded animals with an average body temperature of 101 fahrenheit, but their ears are quite thin with little fur and body fat. WHen the environmental temperature rises, blood vessels in the cat’s ears widen allowing more blood to flow through. Lowering their blood pressure (vasodilation). When the environmental temperature drops, vasoconstriction (narrowing of the vessels and flowing or blocking blood flow) occurs to conserve body heat. 

Therefore, vasodilation will occur in a kitty sunning herself on a windowsill while vasoconstriction is likely if kitty is left out at night. If the cat is Siameses or torah “colorpoint breed,” notice the darkest patches of fur are at the coolest parts of the body: the ears, nose and tail, areas of reduced circulation. 

“The only way to tell the difference between normally warm ears and hot ears is to check the cat’s temperature with a thermometer as the degree of ear hotness is not a good indicator of body temperature since cats use their ears to cool themselves down,” explains Liz Koskenmaki, DVM, Burbank, California. “The blood flow within the pinnae is closest to the skin which allows for cooling, so if the ears feel hot the cat may just be regulating her temperature.”

Allergies

Allergies can affect skin and ears which could make a cat’s ears feel hot to the touch. Food, pollen, mold, fleas, and dust mites are a few allergens that could cause this to occur. If a cat’s ears are hot due to an allergic reaction, you may observe small red bumps or scabs on the skin, but it is possible for allergies to affect just the ears with no skin rash present. Of course, if the ears are hot in conjunction with facial swelling or any difficulty breathing, the cat may be experiencing a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), possibly caused by a bee sting, and needs immediate veterinary care.

Fever

Hot ears may be a sign of illness in a cat. Fever is the body’s way of fighting infection, so if a cat in your care has a fever, they will likely find a cool place to lay with her body splayed, typically a tile floor. If you are a student of cat first aid, you’ll recognize this as an example of conduction where the cat uses a cool surface to transfer the heat from her body and lower their body temperature. 

“There are many causes of ever in cats,” explains Dr. Liz. “Most commonly some type of infection, but other causes include heat stroke, ingestion of certain toxins, or other inflammatory processes in the body. Increased body temperature can cause inappetence (loss of appetite), lethargy, and abnormal behavior, so it is critical to have a veterinarian examine any cat with a fever to diagnose the problem and treat it accordingly.”

Vomiting and/or diarrhea may accompany an infection of the stomach or intestines, but sneezing with nasal and eye discharge is more common with cat flu. If, however, the cat has an abscess, likely from an infected bite caused by another cat, you’ll see swelling, redness and possibly a limp. Fever can also be present without outward appearing signs, so only your veterinarian knows for sure.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency resulting from a cat’s body temperature increasing, usually due to the environment, like when a cat is accidentally locked in a shed, garage, or other confined space. Although felines are more tolerant of heat than their canine counterparts, if a cat in your care shows signs of heatstroke (e.g., panting or open-mouth breathing, bright red or purple gums), start cooling them from the paws up to the belly skiing with room temperature water before they collapse and contact a veterinarian at once. 

Infection

Cats can get an infection of the outer ear which results in inflammation, making ears feel much warmer than usual. Additionally, a kitty may scratch or run their ears or shake their head to try to alleviate the discomfort. This can raise body temperature, making their ears feel hot. 

Excessive wax build-up reduces ventilation which increases temperature, including that of the ear flaps. One thing leads to another, and the warmth creates a perfect environment for both ear mites and yeast to flourish. Mites cause intense itching, leading to the cat scratching their ears relentlessly. Wounds from scratching, dark discharge or a pungent odor require veterinary care without delay! Excess hair, dirt, or other debris in the ear can lead to bacterial or yeast infractions as well. Even a foreign object inside a kitty’s ear can kick their immune system into high gear attempting to fight off the infection, which could result in their ears feeling hotter than normal.

When To Call the Vet

If a cat has warmer than normal ears but is otherwise acting n romal without signs of injury or illness, take their temperature like Dr. Liz suggested or take them straight to the veterinarian for peace of mind. 

If the cat’s ear feel warm and they are exhibiting signs of illness (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite or lethargy), contact your veterinarian at once.

There are a few non-medical reasons why a cat could have unusually warm ears. If a kitty loves to sunbathe in a window or lays by the radiator, their ears may feel warm but should not continue to do so once they move to a cooler space. Also, if your hands are cold, kitty’s ears might feel cool to the touch when they are actually normal. Paying attention to your feline friends and properly reacting when something is not quite right can make you a cat’s hero.