Why Do Some Cats Have Tipped Ears?

 

Have you noticed cats in shelters with the top part of the left ear missing?  Or maybe a stray or community cat with the same thing?  Or even one of BCR’s cats – Shadow (pictured left)?  Don’t be sad and think that cat has been wounded.  It’s actually something good!

 

Cats who are missing a little bit of their left ears have been ear-tipped during a spay or neuter procedure.  The tipped ears are an easily visible way to let everyone know that cat has seen a vet and been fixed.  It’s a universal symbol recognized by everyone working in TNR programs (Trap/Neuter/Release).  Ear-tipping might seem like something that would hurt the cats but it really doesn’t and it can actually be a life saver!  A tipped ear lets everyone know that this cat has been through a TNR program and is part of an outdoor colony with a regular caregiver. 

 

Here’s why it works so well.  Stray or feral cats may prefer to stay far away from humans.  With a tipped ear, even at a distance, caregivers, vets and animal control officers know that this cat has been fixed and lives outdoors in a feral colony that has a caretaker.  Seeing a tipped ear would tell an animal control officer that this cat is fixed and should be left alone.  They would know not to take this cat to the county facility or shelter, which would likely keep the cat from being euthanized because it was feral or unsocialized.  If an animal control officer knows about colonies that have lots of ear-tipped cats, they will know that they are well-maintained.  Ear tips are safeguards for these cats!

 

Does it hurt a cat or dog to get an ear tip?  Not really.  It’s usually done when a cat is under anesthesia for a spay or neuter procedure and only the top 3/8 of an inch is tipped. Because it’s done in a clean surgical setting, the ears heal very quickly and rarely need more attention.  BCR’s Shadow has an ear tip and it actually adds to his charm!

 

There are some other ways of identifying cats who have been in a TNR program, but they are not as effective for various reasons.  According to AlleyCatAllies, they include: 

• Tattooing - you can’t see that until a cat has already been trapped. Tattoos are difficult to locate without anesthetizing the cat.
• Eartags - they can cause infections, fall off, or tear a cat’s ear. Ouch!
• Ear-notch - looks like a tear but is harder to identify because it could be mistaken for an injury from fighting.
• Collars - they could get too tight as cats grow, get caught on something and injure the cat, or just fall off.
• Microchipping - you’d need to have a microchip scanner to know if a cat was already microchipped.  Many TNR programs include microchipping (when resources allow for them.) Alley Cat Allies endorses these “Tip & Chip” programs.

 

So, if you see a cat with a tipped ear in a shelter or in a community colony, know that this cat has been fixed and is probably from a colony with a caregiver.  If this cat is in a shelter, it likely means that he or she is not feral and would be a good pet for someone.  Don’t let the tipped ear throw you off – consider adopting that cat, too!

 

CLICK HERE to read more about ear tipping from PetMeds.