When it comes to feline anatomy, the cat ear is one of the most important parts of our kitties. And it's not for less, right? In addition to being largely responsible for powerful feline hearing, it is one of the most effective ways your friend finds to communicate with you. For this reason, this region is full of peculiarities and requires some specific care to maintain healthWith this in mind, the Paws of the House has gathered in one place everything you need to know about the cat's ear and ear. Enough said!

The anatomy of the cat's ear favors their keen hearing

Anyone who thinks that a cat's ear is just a cute, furry part of its body is mistaken. In fact, it is a true masterpiece. This is because, unlike other animals, the cat's ear has a shape that picks up sounds extremely easily. Triangular and full of folds, it works as a kind of acoustic shell and is divided into three parts:

- External ear: in this part is the pinna - a region we call the ear that is made of cartilage and covered by skin and hair - and the ear canal. The former has an ideal shape to capture sound waves and carry them to the eardrum through the ear canal. On the other hand, the ear canal of cats, which is deeper than that of humans, has a funnel shape to carry the sound awayIt is worth remembering that it is precisely in this region that the accumulation of small dirt usually occurs, resulting in black wax;

- Middle ear: This region includes the eardrum and an air-filled chamber containing three small bones: the malleus, the incus and the stapes. In addition, two other muscles are present in the animal's middle ear, the oval window and the Eustachian tube, which is a small tube that connects the middle ear to the nasal cavity, ensuring the passage of air there and the balance of atmospheric pressure;

- Inner ear: This is the most complex part of the cat's ear. The inner ear is composed of the cochlea, which is the organ responsible for feline hearing, and the vestibular system, which has the function of maintaining the animal's balance. In the latter, there are also the semicircular canals that are important pieces to ensure the agility and sense of balance of felines.

In addition to these, there is another part of the cat's ear that draws a lot of attention: the marginal cutaneous pouch. Although the name seems unfamiliar, this structure is very characteristic of animals and is what guarantees the powerful hearing of cats. They are directly connected to the ear canal and have the function of guiding sounds. In other words: these lateral openings in the cat's ear are shaped to guide sounds.targeting and detecting specific sounds.

The different types of cat ear

Although the anatomy of cats' ears is always the same, they can come in many different shapes. In general, they can be large or small, depending on the breed of cat. Learn how to identify them below:

- Small, erect cat ears: This type of cat ear is part of the anatomy of Persian, Himalayan and Burmese cats. It means that the ears of these kitties point upwards, which makes many owners believe that the animal is always in a state of alert.

- Small, curved cat ears: on the other hand, Scottish Fold and British Shorthair cats have ears with a slightly curved position, which results in that cute little fold adored by their owners.

- Large, erect cat ears: Anyone who has come across cats of the Korat, Sphynx and Savannah breeds will certainly have noticed their large, erect ears. In this case, the shape goes beyond aesthetics and provides wider feline hearing.

- Large, triangular cat ear: this type of ear is characteristic of a few cat breeds, such as Ragamuffin and Maine Coon. They tend to be large, well separated and point in different directions.

What is cats' hearing like?

If you have a kitty at home, you may have noticed your pet's preference for the quietest and calmest places in the house, right? The explanation behind this cat behavior is quite simple: feline hearing. That's because they have a very sharp hearing aid and can hear sounds imperceptible to our ears. Cats' hearing can reach an incredible 65,000Hz, which is aThis means they have the ability to hear so-called ultra-sounds, which are noises so high-pitched that they are unnoticeable to humans. This is precisely why cats' hearing is the sharpest among mammals, including dogs.

Another point that draws a lot of attention when it comes to the hearing of cats is the movement of the cat's ear. It turns out that the "flaps" of the ears can move independently when stimulated by external noises, which makes it possible to capture different sound waves that are carried to the eardrum. So don't be alarmed if one day you catch your cat moving only one of them.of the ears when hearing any noise.

The cat's ear is linked to the body language of kittens

You may doubt it, but the movement of the cat's ear is one of the main ways that your cat finds to communicate with its humans. Due to the various muscles present in the ear, the animal can move it in different ways and each movement added to the shape of the eyes carries a different meaning. Therefore, it is important for guardians to keep in mind that the position of theCat's ear is also part of feline body language and can make all the difference in living with your pet. Through this, it is possible to know when your cat is angry, happy, afraid or about to attack. So, how about understanding a little more about the meanings behind these movements? Check it out:

- Cat's ear pointing upwards: this position is typical of a kitten that is alert and attentive to external movements. In this case, it is common for the animal to react in this way to pick up the surrounding sounds, as if to hear someone coming or some unknown noise;

- Cat's ear backwards or sideways: this attitude may indicate that your kitten is upset. This is because the cat's ear usually stays in this position when they are experiencing moments of stress or anxiety, which may or may not be provoked by humans or other pets;

- Cat ear flush with head: this is one of the most common signs that the cat is ready to attack. Generally, cats with their ears level with their head indicate that the cat is in its defensive position. If this movement is accompanied by fixed and clenched eyes, it may indicate that the animal is about to invest in something it considers a threat. So, you know, right? All caution is little!

- Cat's ear down: this is a classic fearful or tense cat move, in which case your friend will probably also run away in search of a place to hide;

- Relaxed cat ears: Relaxed ears and half-open eyes are synonymous with a happy cat, so you can (and should!) invest in a good dose of affection and play.

The cat ear is also responsible for the feline's balance

Felines are extremely curious animals and, therefore, they do not miss an opportunity to climb and explore high places in the environment in which they live. In the midst of adventures, it is common for a miscalculation to happen that results in the animal falling. But do you know why they almost always fall on their feet? To the surprise of some, the reason behind this behavior is linked to the hearing of the felines.The labyrinth, a structure present in the vestibular system of the cat's ear, is largely responsible for this incredible feline balance. When the kitty finds itself in an uncomfortable position, such as during a fall, the pressure in this region increases and emits a warning call, which combined with visual signals triggers the animal's central nervous system. In this way, the kitten is able tomake instinctive movements to make the "miracle" possible. Amazing, right?

The color of the animal's coat can influence cats' hearing

Although it is a common condition, it is normal that few guardians do not know that the hearing of cats can also be influenced by the color of the animal's coat. According to some studies by International Cat Care, the lighter the animal's fur, the stronger the W gene, which is responsible for deafness in cats. Precisely for this reason, it is common to deal with a condition of deafness.Another point revealed by the research is that a white cat with blue eyes is five times more likely to be a deaf cat than a feline with fur and eyes of other colors. Therefore, when adopting a white feline, it is important to observe your friend's small habits, such as stumbling and meowing louder than normal, and seek a veterinarian if you suspect the condition.

Frequent ear cleaning prevents feline otitis and other diseases

Cleaning cats' ears is a fundamental step to ensure the health of your kitty. This is because, as with dogs, lack of hygiene can be a gateway for fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections in the region. Feline otitis, for example, is one of the most common diseases that affect the cat's ear and that causes itching, bad smell and even harmful effects.In addition to this, ear scabies in cats is another condition that can cause a lot of discomfort and discomfort to your pet. Caused by specific mites, it usually results in itching and excess wax in a reddish or brown color. In such cases, it is important that the guardian knows the exact moment to seek the help of a veterinarian. Remember: cleaning attempts with solutionshome-made medicines are not a good option and can make the condition worse.

See how to clean cat ears and the care required

One of the main doubts among cat owners on duty is how to clean the cat's ear. Because it is a sensitive and delicate region, the process requires some extra care and, mainly, the use of specific products for pets that help soften excess wax and possible dirt. To do this, you should start by moistening the cotton with the product and passing it over the entire areaThe ideal is to clean as far as your finger can reach, without forcing it to avoid hurting the animal. In addition, sharp objects, such as tweezers and cotton buds, are prohibited, as they can hurt some sensitive part of the region and cause problems.