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Dogs shake their heads and bodies for a variety of reasons. But while some head shaking is completely natural, constant head shaking could mean your dog is uncomfortable. A few causes of ear discomfort in dogs include things like earwax, water in their ears, flea bites, an ear infection, or something stuck in their ears.
In some cases, head shaking in dogs can have a more serious cause—one you can’t treat at home. What’s more, persistent head shaking can lead some dogs to develop an aural hematoma, according to Dr. Meaghan Thomas, DVM, CVA, a veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist at East Ridge Animal Hospital. A hematoma can be very painful and may cause ear damage if left untreated.
If your pet is shaking their head, they’re uncomfortable and need relief, says Dr. Thomas, which is why she recommends pet parents call a vet when they notice head shaking.
Below, learn the potential causes of head shaking in dogs and a few strategies to address the issue, both on your own and with support from a vet.
1. Build-Up of Earwax Causing Irritation
A buildup of wax in your dog’s ears may cause some minor itching and irritation. You may notice your dog scratching around their ears or shaking their head frequently in an effort to get some relief.
Solution: You can often address earwax buildup at home by cleaning your dog’s ears with a dog ear cleaner, which you can purchase from your veterinarian or local pet store. Follow the directions on the ear wash package or ask your vet for more specific guidance.
Once you clean their ears, your dog may stop shaking their head. Regular ear cleaning can also help improve your dog’s ear health and prevent yeast infections.
2. Water Stuck In Their Ears
If your dog gets water in their ears, they may experience itching, pain, and burning. The water can also cause an uncomfortable heavy sensation, and you may notice your dog:
- Shaking their head
- Pawing at their ears
- Rubbing their ears on objects
- Whining or becoming restless
After your dog takes a swim or a bath, you can gently wipe their ears dry with cotton balls or a towel—never use Q-tips!
Prevention
To help keep your dog’s ears dry before they bathe or swim, these tips can help:
- Place cotton balls in their ears before they get wet. Just don’t forget to remove them later!
- Avoiding pouring or spraying water around your dog’s ears.
- Use a washcloth or towel to clean your dog’s ears and face.
As long as your dog can shake the water out on their own, you likely won’t need to call your vet. It’s a good idea to pay close attention to your dog for a day or two, though, so you can make sure they stopped shaking their head.
3. Ear Infection via Bacteria Growth
If your dog’s ear becomes moist or inflamed due to various environmental factors, bacteria or yeast can grow, causing an ear infection.
Ear infections require treatment from a vet—without treatment, they can get worse over time.
Solution: Your vet will likely prescribe a topical medication, like antibiotics, to treat the infection. They may also clean and dry your dog’s ears to remove discharge and excess earwax.
4. Itching Caused By Flea Bites
If your dog has insect bites on or around their ears or head, they may shake their head to ease their discomfort. Not only do flea bites leave your dog itchy and uncomfortable, they can eventually cause a skin infection.
Check for signs of infection, like crusted, bloody, or inflamed skin.
Solution: You can treat fleas at home with over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments, but you may want to consult your vet about more serious flea infestations. They can also recommend tips for keeping your home flea-free. If your dog does have an infection, your vet can treat this, which may help stop your dog’s head shaking.
5. Skin Allergy or Contact Dermatitis
Like people, dogs can have allergic reactions after contact with certain ointments, medications, or other substances. These reactions will typically occur within a day to a week after treatment.
So, if you’ve just tried a new brand of ear cleaner and your dog suddenly won’t stop shaking their head, it’s possible they’re having an allergic reaction.
Solution: To address this cause, stop using any new products on your dog’s ears. If you notice any irritation or redness on your dog’s ears, or they scratch their ears and head frequently, you’ll want to make an appointment with your vet. They can prescribe an alternate product, along with medication to soothe the inflammation.
6. Ear Mites
These parasites will show up as dark brown debris, much like coffee grounds, in your dog’s ears. A dog with ear mites will usually scratch their ears often and intensely, and they may also shake their head.
Solution: Mites won’t go away on their own, and while you can purchase OTC treatments, these don’t always work. Prescription medication from your vet, however, will kill the mites. Your vet may also recommend flushing out your dog’s ears.
7. Something Is Stuck
A foreign object in your dog’s ear could be anything from a piece of grass or dirt to a tiny Lego. Whatever it is, something stuck in your dog’s ear that doesn’t belong can cause irritation and inflammation, which may lead them to shake their head constantly.
Solution: If you find something stuck in your dog’s ear, it may seem possible to remove it yourself. But it’s generally safest to take your dog to the vet for treatment. If your dog wriggles or pulls away suddenly, you could end up pushing the object further in. Plus, your vet can also treat any inflammation in your dog’s ear.
Typically, your vet will sedate your dog and then remove the object with tweezers. They may also prescribe medication to help relieve pain and swelling.
8. Idiopathic Head Tremors
A dog with idiopathic head tremors may bob their head up and down or from side to side.
These tremors don’t have a known cause, and they’ll eventually stop on their own. Distracting your dog with a toy or treat can also help stop the tremors.
Other types of head tremors, however, may have a more serious underlying cause that requires medical treatment. If the tremors continue, your vet can always offer more guidance about your pet’s tremors or shaking.
9. Ear Hematoma
A hematoma can develop when vigorous ear scratching and head shaking bursts a blood vessel. Without medical attention, the ear will eventually crinkle into a “cauliflower ear,” says Dr. Thomas.
Hematomas more commonly affect dogs with drop ears. They can cause a lot of pain and may require surgery.
Solution: You’ll need to take your dog to the vet if you suspect a hematoma, which you can often recognize by swelling on your dog’s ear flap. You may also notice your dog holding their ear away from their head.
Other Types of Shaking
It might seem like your dog is shaking their head when really, they’re doing something else entirely.
- Shivering: Like humans, dogs can shiver when cold, frightened, or while asleep and dreaming. You can typically rule out anything serious by covering up your dog with a blanket, snuggling, or trying to comfort them in another way. If the shivers go away, you know they’re just fine. If your dog can’t seem to stop shivering, something else may be causing their tremors and shakes.
- Shaking their toys: Your dog’s wild ancestors would capture prey in their mouths and then shake it back and forth aggressively until it died. While your pup likely doesn’t need to hunt for their dinner, they may still shake their toys when playing due to this instinctive behavior. You don’t need to worry about this predatory reaction, according to Dr. Thomas, as long as your dog only shakes their toys.
- Full-body shake: A wet dog will shake their entire body to remove as much water from their fur as possible. This doesn’t just help them dry off more quickly, it can also help them avoid hypothermia. As long as your dog stops shaking themselves once dry, this behavior doesn’t pose any cause for concern.
You don’t need to worry about a quick head shake, especially if your dog has just jumped up after a nap or had a bath. But if you’ve noticed your dog shaking their head several times, or very intensely, you’ll want to make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can, Dr. Thomas says.