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Why Is My Dog Shaking His Head

Oct 23,2024 | puaintapets

If your dog is frequently shaking his head, it’s important to understand why. While the occasional head shake is normal, consistent or excessive shaking can indicate an underlying issue that needs attention. From ear infections to allergies, there are several reasons why your dog might be shaking his head. This guide will help you identify the possible causes, recognize the symptoms, and determine when it’s time to seek veterinary care.

dog head shaking

What Causes of Head Shaking in Dogs?

Dogs shake their heads for a variety of reasons, and identifying the cause is crucial for proper treatment.

  • Physiological reasons

1.Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for head shaking in dogs. These infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast, or both, and often result in discomfort or pain. Dogs with ear infections may also exhibit other symptoms such as redness, swelling, and a foul odor coming from the ear.

2.Ear Mites

Ear mites are tiny parasites that can infest a dog’s ears, causing intense itching and irritation. These mites are more common in puppies and dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. In addition to head shaking, ear mites can cause dark, crumbly earwax that resembles coffee grounds.

3.Foreign Objects

Sometimes, a dog may get a foreign object stuck in their ear, such as a grass seed, a small twig, or even a bug. This can lead to sudden head shaking as your dog tries to dislodge the object. Foreign objects in the ear can be very uncomfortable and may require veterinary assistance to remove.

4.Allergies

Allergies can cause inflammation and itching in a dog’s ears, leading to head shaking. Allergic reactions can be triggered by environmental factors like pollen, dust mites, or mold, as well as food allergies. Dogs with allergies may also have red, inflamed ears and may scratch at them frequently.

Also Read: 2023 The Best Allergy Eye Drops for Dogs

5.Ear Hematoma

An ear hematoma occurs when blood vessels in the ear flap burst, causing a painful swelling. This condition is often the result of excessive head shaking or scratching due to another issue, like an ear infection or mites. A hematoma requires veterinary treatment, which may include draining the blood or surgery.

  • Neurological problems

1.Vestibular disorders: disorders that affect a dog's sense of balance can lead to head shaking, head tilting and unsteady walking.

2.Brain disorders: such as tumours or infections in the brain, which may affect your dog's nervous system and lead to abnormal behaviours such as head shaking.

  • Reasons for Behaviour

1.Water in the Ear

Water trapped in the ear after swimming or bathing can cause discomfort and lead to head shaking. If not properly dried, moisture in the ear can create an environment conducive to infections.

2.Expressing Emotions

Dogs may shake their heads when they are excited. For example, when the owner comes home and the dog runs happily to the owner, he may shake his head while wagging his tail, which is an expression of positive emotions.
Alternatively, a dog may shake its head slightly if it is curious or alert, as if it is trying to get a better look at its surroundings.

3.Attracting Attention

When a dog wants attention from its owner, or asks for food or toys, it may shake its head and make cute gestures to get its owner's attention.

What are Common Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs?

  1. Scratching or rubbing the ears
  2. Frequent head shaking
  3. Unusual odor or discharge coming out of the ear all the time
  4. Pain when the ear is touched
  5. Redness and swelling of the outer ear canal
  6. Hearing loss
  7. Moisture and discharge from the auricle or external ear canal
  8. Debris or foreign objects in the ear canal

If your dog is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is recommended that you take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible for examination and treatment. Your veterinarian may perform an ear canal examination, cytology, cultures, and sensitivity tests to determine the type of infection and appropriate treatment. 

Also Read: Understanding and Managing Dog Ear Infection

What to Reduce Head Shaking in Dogs?

Dogs shaking their heads can be caused by a variety of things, including ear problems, neurological problems, skin problems, and more. Here are some possible foods and habits that can help reduce head shaking in dogs:

Food

Vitamin-rich foods: such as spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and blueberries, which are rich in vitamins and help your dog's health.

Calcium-rich foods: such as pet-specific calcium products, calcium-rich foods, or taking your dog out in the sun regularly to promote calcium absorption.

Foods containing probiotics: such as sugar-free xylitol-free yoghurt, lactobacilli can regulate gastrointestinal function, and calcium from dairy products can maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids: e.g. salmon/salmon oil, which contributes to cardiovascular health as well as being good for the skin and coat.

Fish Oil Concentrate for Dogs and Cats

Fish Oil Concentrate for Dogs and Cats

The Fish Oil Concentrate is rich in high-concentration omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid, which helps to nourish dogs' and cat's skin and give health support for their hair or coat, joint, heart and physical state.

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Habits

Regular ear cleaning: Use dog-specific ear drops to clean your dog's ear canals, but remember not to pull out the ears with a cotton swab immediately after the drops are applied, and let your dog shake out the excess medicine and earwax on its own.

Keep the ear canals dry: Avoid getting water and moisture in your dog's ears, especially after bathing.

Clip ear hair regularly: Excessive ear hair may harbour bacteria, and regular ear clipping can reduce the growth of parasites or bacteria.

Provide a nutritious and balanced diet: Properly supplementing your dog's diet to improve his physical condition and strengthen his immunity will also enable a dog suffering from ear disease to get better faster.

If your dog shakes its head frequently, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as smelly ears, redness, swelling, increased discharge, unsteady walking, loss of appetite, etc., it is recommended that you take your dog to a veterinarian for a check-up in time to determine if there is a health problem.

How to Clean Dog's Ears Correctly?

The steps to properly clean your dog's ears are as follows.

  • Check the ears

Before cleaning, check your dog's ears for redness, discharge or odor, which may be signs of infection.

  • Prepare tools

Prepare a pet-specific ear canal cleaner, cotton balls or swabs, and ear powder (to minimize pain when pulling out ear hairs).

Ear Inflammation - Ear Drops

Ear Inflammation - Ear Drops

Otitis Externa, Ear Mites, Ear Canal Infections, Ear Inflammation

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  • Plucking ear hairs

If your dog has long hairs in the ear canal, you can gently remove them using ear powder and an ear plucking tool to minimize blockage and the risk of infection in the ear canal.

Drop the cleaner into your dog's ear canal and then gently massage the base of the ear for a few seconds to help loosen earwax. Afterward, have your dog shake his head to help the earwax and cleaner flow out naturally.

  • Wipe the ears

Use a cotton ball or swab to gently wipe the outside of the ear canal and the auricle to remove loose earwax and cleaner residue.

  • Reward your dog

Once cleaning is complete, give your dog a treat as a reward to positively reinforce the ear cleaning behavior.

Precautions

Do not use cotton swabs or other sharp objects to penetrate deep into your dog's ear canal to avoid damaging the eardrum. Cleaning frequency is usually recommended to be once a week, but can be reduced if your dog's ears are cleaner. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has an odor or discharge from the ears or if your dog shakes his head frequently. 

clean dog ear

How to Prevent Dogs from Shaking Their Heads?

  • Regular ear cleaning

Clean your dog's ears regularly with a pet-specific ear wash to remove earwax and dirt that can cause itching. This helps prevent ear infections and parasites such as ear mites. 

  • Keep ears dry

Make sure your dog's ears are completely dry after bathing, as moisture can provide a suitable environment for ear infections. 

  • Avoid water running into the ears

When bathing your dog, take steps to prevent water from entering the ears, either by using earplugs or by gently holding your dog's ears while bathing. 

  • Regular Ear Checks

Regularly check your dog's ears for redness, swelling, discharge or odor, which may be signs of ear problems. 

  • Provide proper nutrition

Make sure your dog's diet contains enough nutrients to support his overall health, including ear health.
 
By doing the above, you can effectively prevent your dog from shaking his head and reduce uncomfortable behaviors caused by ear discomfort. If your dog exhibits frequent head shaking behavior, have his ears checked and consult your veterinarian if necessary.

What are Common Ear Diseases in Dogs?

Common ear disorders in dogs include.

Otitis externa

This is an inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the outer ear canal that can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, foreign body irritation, or earwax obstruction. Symptoms include red, swollen, itchy ears and increased discharge. 

Otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear (eustachian tube, tympanic chamber, tympanic sinus, and mastoid airspace), which may lead to symptoms such as earache, tinnitus, and hearing loss. 

Inner ear infection

An ear infection that invades the bony or membranous labyrinth of the inner ear may cause nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and balance disorders

Ear Mite Infection

Ear mites are parasites that cause intense itching and black discharge in the ear canal. 

These conditions require veterinary diagnosis and treatment to avoid further health problems. Preventative measures include regular cleaning of your dog's ears to avoid moisture from entering the ear canal and regular ear exams. 

dog head shaking

FAQs

Does Frequent Head Shaking Affect Dog's Vision?

Frequent head shaking in dogs is usually associated with ear problems such as ear canal infections, ear mites or otitis externa. These problems may cause your dog to feel itchy or painful ears, which can lead to discomfort by shaking their head. While the head shaking behavior itself does not directly affect vision, if an ear problem causes a dog to shake its head frequently, it may indirectly affect its comfort and behavior. If a dog's vision is affected, behavioral changes such as bumping into furniture, reluctance to jump, or showing confusion in familiar surroundings may occur. However, according to the search results, there is no direct link between a dog's frequent head shaking behavior and vision problems. 
If your dog is shaking his head frequently, it is recommended that you check his ears for redness, swelling, odor or discharge, and clean and treat them promptly. If necessary, consult your veterinarian to rule out ear disorders or other health issues that may affect vision. 

Why Does Moisture in Dogs' Ears Easily Lead to Infections?

The reason why wet dog ears can lead to infections is mainly related to the anatomical structure of the dog's ear canal and the environmental conditions. A dog's ear canal is usually “L” shaped, which makes it easy for water to accumulate inside the ear canal, especially for pendant-eared breeds, where the ear canal is more closed and the water is less likely to evaporate. When water remains in the ear canal, it provides a warm, moist environment for bacterial and fungal growth, and these microorganisms multiply faster under these conditions, easily causing ear infections such as otitis externa. 

In addition, dogs may have ear mites and other parasites in their ear canals, which also like to survive in a humid environment, and their presence will further disrupt the normal flora balance in the ear canal and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, keeping your dog's ears dry is one of the most important measures to prevent ear infections. After bathing or swimming, your dog's ears should be thoroughly cleaned and dried to minimize the chance of infection. 

Why Should NOT Use Human Ear Products on Dog to Stop Itching?

There are several reasons why you should not use human ear products on your dog to relieve itching.

Breed differences

There are differences in physiology, skin sensitivity, and response to medications between dogs and humans. Human ear products may not be suitable for the structure of the dog's ear canal and may even cause allergic reactions or irritation. 

Inappropriate ingredients

Human ear products contain ingredients that may be harmful to your dog's ear canal, such as certain fragrances, preservatives, or other additives that may aggravate ear infections or cause other health problems. 

Efficacy Issues

Ear products for dogs often contain specific ingredients for pet ear mites and infections that are more effective in treating ear problems in dogs. Human products, on the other hand, may not achieve the desired therapeutic results and may even delay treatment. 

dog shaking head

Conclusion

Head shaking in dogs is a common behavior, but when it becomes persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to investigate the cause. Ear infections, mites, allergies, and foreign objects are just a few of the potential reasons why your dog might be shaking his head. By understanding the signs to watch for and seeking veterinary care when needed, you can help ensure your dog stays healthy and comfortable. Regular ear care and prevention measures can also reduce the likelihood of head shaking and related ear problems.

Related: Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking His Head

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