Itchy Ears in a young cat

[Jugglering]

Hi there... My wee rascal (the 16month old bonkers lass) only ever wants me to rub her around the head and behind her ears, unlike her colleague - the 8 y.o. laid back tabby, who adores a stroke along her back etc). The little rascal likes to stretch up from the floor so that when I am sitting at my desk or table I can scritch her head and ears. If I don't do this hard enough (or long enough) she will actually nip me to persuade me to continue, lol !

My question is, does this seem like *normal* behaviour or is it possible that she has some sort of infection or mites in her ears - I can see nothing obviously wrong when I look inside them and the other cat has no problems there, which makes me think it's not mites cos I know they are easily spread. Also, she is not constantly scratching her ears herself, only asking me to do it for her.

Any ideas ? Obviously if she needs to go to see the vet, then I will take her, but she is otherwise fit, healthy, glossy coat, eating well, active and very definitely a wee rascal (still enjoying catching flies and ants though....)

[wolf63]

There is no such thing as normal behaviour in cats.

[Jugglering]

LOL.. Wolf.. yep, I had forgotten that one !

[Kleiber]

Hiya, Jugglering - Wolf's right!! However, don't panic - if she's not scratching her ears, then she hasn't got a problem. Cats just love to rub round us humans and some adore having their ears rubbed. I have 5 of the little darlings and one of them is always rubbing her ears round my hands (especially at night, when I'm trying to get to sleep!!). Just give her lots of cuddles!! K xxx

[CheekyChops]

My cat loves his ears being scratched, sometimes he turns his head so my fingers would actually go into his ear - I don't do it though!!

He never scratches them himself and I can see no mites so I don't think it is a problem, he just likes it!!

[Jugglering]

Phew.... thanks for the answers fellow slaves.... ! I didn't think it was anything to seriously worry about (like mites etc) but was just a tad concerned cos I'd never had a cat who only liked her head scritched....lol...

[Panic Button]

Cats have scent glands behind their ears to mark their territory, which is why they rub against doors and cupboards.

I guess they are 'rewarded' for leaving their scent by pleasurable sensations.

[~max~]

Mine's very bossy too, and will just come to me and meow loudly until I start scratchin her head! She'll start climbing over me until her head is level with my mouth too, so she can have little kisses....She also throws herself on the floor in front of me, and demands a tummy rub....lol

If I don't do it, she'll purposefully walk all over my laptop and change my font to chinese, or something. Little devil!!! ;O)

[Jugglering]

Aye, PB... but a cat who only liked the scritches on the ears... ??? and for some 20 - 30 minutes at a time .... It just all seemed a bit excessive for a little cat, that's all. Fortunately, she has gone to sleep now (ahem, on my flipping sofa lol) so my hand(s) have been able to get a bit of peace and quiet..

[Jugglering]

LOL Max.... and how are you enjoying your chinese ?

[~max~]

Well, it's hard to get used to, but Her Highness says I don't have a choice. I'm also getting very proficient at one-hand typing!
Thank god for cats, eh....:O)

[~max~]

Actually, I'm just being mean, because she has a very nice talent! My bedroom is at the front of the house, ground floor, so when I sleep late, she'll meow VERY loudly to let me know the postman's at the door, andshe will use force only as a last resort (in the form of a poke in my my eye)!

I've avoided many a trip to the post office thanks to her! lol

[madboutcats]

what a clever cat max, maybe the postmans had a word in her ear....hee hee. jugglering your little lady must love having her ears rubbed if shes demanding them. my mums cat loves having his face rubbed too especially around his mouth, and margo too will throw her self at your feet for a belly rub. long may cats rule our lives.

[Kleiber]

I don't know if this'll work, as I'm not brilliant with this sort of thing, but if it does, this is a great YouTube cartoon - typical of cats!!

[Kleiber]

OK, so it didn't work!! Try this :
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nJFF7QkwRal
Honest, it's worth it!!

[Kleiber]

Oh, I give up!! It's "not available" according to YouTube - shame, it was really good!! anyone else saved it or can access it??