Head shaking is normal dog behaviour. Dogs shake their heads instinctively to relieve discomfort, itching, or irritation; it’s a successful way to remove water, dirt, or insects from the ear canal. However, while the occasional head shake is normal and not cause for concern, frequent and persistent head shaking is abnormal and may indicate a health problem. Understanding why dogs shake their heads is crucial, as is keeping an eye out for any symptoms that might point to a medical issue. Consult your veterinarian right away if your dog’s head shaking is persistent and lasts longer than a day or if your dog has red, swollen, or odorous ears.
Learn more about the four most common medical causes of your dog’s frequent head shaking.
When a dog’s outer ear canal becomes inflamed, it develops canine otitis externa. There are several symptoms associated with this, which is the main reason people visit the vet:
Otitis externa is frequently brought on by ear mites, allergies, trapped water, and floppy ears. The majority of the time, ear inflammation requires medical attention and does not resolve on its own. Dogs who have previously experienced otitis externa may be at risk of developing it again. If untreated, ear inflammation can get worse, permanently alter the ear’s structural makeup, and possibly even impair hearing. Ask your veterinarian about treatments for otitis externa.
Although dogs are typically strong animals, they can occasionally hurt themselves while out for a run, playing in the dog park, or exploring a trail through the woods. If your dog’s behavior changes (becomes suddenly lethargic, subdued, or exhibits symptoms of ear pain and sensitivity), a serious illness may be to blame. Consult your veterinarian right away.
A potentially serious skin condition on the flap of your dog’s ears is caused by ear vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessel walls in the ear flaps. Common symptoms of ear vasculitis include:
Nearly half of all cases of ear vasculitis that have been reported have an unknown cause. However, in other instances, this excruciating skin condition is brought on by an abnormal immune system response. Consult your veterinarian right away for a diagnosis and course of treatment if you see any symptoms of ear vasculitis in your dog.
A dog’s ear flap can develop an ear haematoma when a pool of blood gathers between the skin and cartilage. This condition causes discolored skin, swelling, bleeding, and pain. As a result of an underlying medical condition, such as an ear infection or skin condition, haematomas are frequently brought on by some form of self-trauma, such as excessive scratching or violent head shaking. The haematoma can be surgically removed, or the haematoma can be drained with a needle. To prevent infection and additional damage, it’s critical to treat the haematoma right away. It’s also crucial to identify the underlying condition that initially caused the head shaking and scratching. The majority of the time, there is also a bacterial infection or an itchy skin condition. That said, preventing or effectively treating the underlying problems that cause head shaking will lessen the risk of this complication even though ear haematomas are not easily preventable. One sign of a potential health problem is persistent head shaking. Consult your veterinarian right away if you notice your dog shaking their head a lot or displaying other symptoms like itchy, inflamed ears, scratching, ear sensitivity, or an unpleasant odor coming from the ears. Share on.
Symptoms of Ear Infection in Dogs
Here are a few of the most typical indications that your dog has an ear infection:
Other symptoms of a more serious ear infection in your dog include:
Your dog is likely barking out of excitement if he only barks when shaking his head. Even when he isn’t barking, if his head shakes constantly, it might be an ear infection.
Why Does My Dog Shake Its Head When I Talk to It?
Your dog may shake its head when you speak to it for a variety of reasons.
One reason could be that it has discovered that by shaking its head, it can open a direct line of communication with you both.
In other words, it demonstrates that your dog is attentively listening to you at the time you speak to it.
While that may be adorable to watch, your dog may occasionally shake its head while listening if its ears are blocked with water or something foreign.
When you speak, it realizes that it can’t hear you clearly and tries to shake off any trapped water or foreign objects by vigorously shaking its head.
Usually, this straightforward action is sufficient to enable them to effectively get rid of the irritation.
Sometimes, however, your dog’s head shaking could be an indication of a more serious issue, such as an ear infection or polyp growth, which could result in additional medical problems, such as temporary or permanent hearing loss.
It’s time to take your dog to the vet for a more thorough examination if you notice that it shakes its head when you speak to it more than usual.
FAQ
What should I do if my dog keeps shaking his head?
You probably don’t need to be worried if your dog shakes their head once or twice and then stops. However, if your dog is vigorously and persistently shaking their head a lot, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
What causes a dog to shake his head repeatedly?
Common causes of dogs shaking their heads include skin allergies’ itchiness irritant, such as grass seeds, water, or insects, stuck in the ear Bacterial or yeast infection. Inflammation of ear canal.
Do dog barks hurt their ears?
Yes, you most certainly can. A quick Google search revealed the following: “Professional dog handling is a common cause of hearing loss, with frequent barking volumes frequently exceeding 80 decibels, and not infrequently reaching 120 decibels.” ”.