When I first saw my dog suddenly shake his head after a splash in a puddle, I thought it was just water in his ears, but with time I learned there can be many reasons behind this behavior. Sometimes dogs shiver or even tremble if they feel cold, while an old dog may start shaking more often because of joint pain or feeling ill. They might also do it if they’re scared or their skin feels too dry, and that can make any owner worried about what to do next. From my own experience, knowing the difference between a normal head shake after play and one caused by discomfort is key to helping your dog feel better.
Why Do Dogs Shake Their Heads?
I’ve often noticed that dogs and even young pups will suddenly shake their heads after getting water or grass stuck in their ears, and it seems like an instinctively normal action to relieve itchiness or irritation. At times, an insect inside the ear or wet environment can also trigger this quick and deliberate movement. But when the shaking becomes repeated or vigorous, it may point toward more serious problems like ongoing infections or other medical issues that make an owner concerned.
From my experience, when I saw continued head shaking along with my dog trying to scratch around the nose or mouth, it was a clear sign that the symptoms weren’t just a short time thing. Sometimes tremors, involuntary rolling, or even rubbing can show up, which could mean muscle weakness, epilepsy, or even a tremor syndrome. If left unchecked, these might cause balance loss or even be linked to poisoning from poisons in the environment.
I also learned that certain behavioural patterns—like being scared, anxious, or overly excited—can make a dog’s response look like head shaking, but when combined with pain, being sick, or a health condition, it’s important to let a vet check it out. Vaccinations can prevent some common issues, but new or severe signs should never be ignored. A warm, dry, and relaxed state usually shows comfort, but cold weather, illness, or sudden violent shakes should always be taken seriously, especially if you are unsure what’s really going on.
Common reasons why dogs shake their heads
From my own experience, I’ve seen dogs start shaking their head for many different reasons, and often it comes down to simple things like water getting stuck after swimming or bathing, or even tiny mites, fleas, or harvest bugs causing bites, cuts, or stings around the ear. Sometimes, infections or allergies can lead to allergic reactions that create hot spots and itching, while other times foreign bodies like grass seeds sneak inside the nose, mouth, or ear canal. In rare cases, polyps or unusual growths inside the ear may also trigger constant head shakes, reminding me how important it is to pay attention early and figure out what’s really bothering the dog.
When to worry about head shaking in dogs
I once had a dog who was constantly shaking his head, and I realized it was more than just an itch when it began interfering with his normal activity like playing and even eating. If your pet shows difficulty moving, becomes lethargic, or develops a head tilt with unsteadiness and balance problems, it’s a red flag. I’ve also seen cases where sneezing repeatedly, nose bleeds, or breathing difficulties came along with facial swelling, and the dog was nearly unable to stand. More alarming signs are a sudden fit or seizure, constant pain, or even vocalising while shaking—these are the times you should get to a vet immediately.
How to reduce the risks of head shaking in dogs
To prevent problems from shaking the head, I make it a habit to keep my dog’s ears clean at least weekly using a mild cleanser or even a bit of olive oil to remove build-up and wax. After walking in woodland areas, I always check for grass, seeds, and twigs that can get trapped, especially in long, floppy, or feathery hair around the ear funnel where foreign bodies or parasites hide. Using vet-recommended preventives, cleaning routine, and household hygiene while identifying and treating allergies early, plus regular check-ups with the vet or nurse, keeps my pets safe, healthy, and less prone to irritating head shakes.
How Vets Diagnose a Dog Shaking His Head
When I took my pup to the veterinarian for shaking his head, the first step was an otoscopic examination. The vet carefully checked the ear for water, dirt, debris, or foreign objects that could be causing discomfort. Sometimes the dog needs sedation if the ear is too painful or the dog is uncomfortable, and gentle cleaning helps reveal infection. If needed, a sample is swabbed and examined under a microscope to detect bacteria or yeast.
In other cases, the veterinarian looks beyond the ear. Food allergy or intolerance might be causing symptoms, so a trial diet using single protein sources like duck, venison, or hydrolyzed pieces with carbohydrate such as rice or potato can help improve the dog’s condition and see if symptoms disappear. For environmental allergies, the vet may suggest intradermal skin testing or blood tests. Combining ear examination and allergy checks allows the vet to pinpoint the problem and create a treatment plan tailored for each dog.
Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking His Head?
There are several reasons dogs shake their head, ranging from ear infections, allergies, or foreign objects to more serious issues like cancer, auto-immune diseases, or neurologic conditions. When the shaking is excessive or repetitive, it’s important to schedule an examination with a veterinarian. Through careful physical checks, testing, and observation, the underlying cause can be properly determined, allowing the right treatment to help your dog feel comfortable and stop the constant head shakes.
Bacterial and Yeast Infections in the Ear
One common health problem that causes excessive head shaking in dogs is an ear infection, which can be bacterial or yeast related. You might notice an itchy ear, discharge, inflammation, redness, or swelling of the flap, and sometimes mite infestations worsen the symptoms. In adult dogs, the signs can be obvious, while in deeper ear canals, the infection may be hidden, making careful observation important to detect and treat the condition promptly.
Itchiness in the Ear Due to Allergies
A common problem in dogs that causes head shaking is allergies, which can be allergic reactions to food or environment triggers like pollen, mold, spores, dust, storage mites, and other irritants. The symptoms often include itchy ears, inflamed skin, hair loss, recurrent ear infections, and behaviors such as scratching the ears, chewing feet, or rubbing the face, making it clear that the irritation comes from allergies rather than just an infection.
Water in the Ears
One common reason for head shaking in a dog is water trapped in the ears after bathing or swimming. In my experience, certain breeds are more prone to this, and it can be prevented by using cotton balls, spraying a safe, effective solution, or carefully dumping water away from the ears during a bath. After washing the body, neck, and face, I gently use a damp washcloth to wipe around the ears and follow with cleaning and drying to ensure no moisture remains. Post-swim band or ear care product can also help, and if the problem persists, the veterinarian can check what needs further attention.
Serious Conditions Related to Head Shaking in Dogs
Sometimes dogs excessively shake their heads not just from simple irritation but due to serious health conditions. Foreign objects lodged deep in the ear canal, inflammatory diseases, neurologic disorders, or tremors can make a dog confused and shaking repeatedly. Recurrent infections, allergies, anatomical abnormalities, or hypothyroidism are other potential underlying causes that need careful diagnosing and treating by a veterinarian. Sometimes, continued, vigorous shaking can even lead to a ruptured blood vessels in the flap, making it clear that ignoring this symptom could hide a serious problem or reason for concern.
Foreign Objects in the Ear Canal
When dogs are playing outside, it’s common for dirty ears to collect dirt, debris, or other material like plant seeds, burrs, and even insects, which can cause irritation. This often leads to constant head shaking as the dog tries to remove the uncomfortable objects, and from my experience, carefully checking the ears after outdoor play helps prevent bigger problems.
Inflammatory Diseases
Some inflammatory conditions in dogs, including auto-immune diseases like pemphigus, can cause intense itching that leads to scratching and constant shaking of the head. Symptoms often include crusts, ulcers, redness, and irritation across the body, and from my experience, recognizing these signs early is key to getting proper treatment before the condition worsens.
Neurological Disorders
Certain neurologic diseases can lead to head shaking, or something that looks very similar to shaking like tremors or head bobbing.
Head Tremors Vs. Dog Shaking His Head
The main difference between head shaking and tremors is that shaking is a voluntary action, while tremors are caused by neurological disease and appear involuntarily. Symptoms of tremors may include trouble walking, falling, or even seizures, which I noticed in a case where videography helped document the movement for consultation with a veterinary neurologist. Proper testing and treatment are essential to manage tremors, whereas normal head shaking usually just responds to simple care and observation.
When To Worry About a Dog Shaking His Head
If your dog is shaking his head repeatedly and the behavior does not stop over the course of a day or so, it’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Things to look out for if your dog starts shaking their head
When a dog starts shaking their head, there are several symptoms and clues that can reveal underlying causes needing treatment or further investigation. Watch for licking paws or bum, allergy signs, food allergies, discharge at the ear entrance, yeasty smell, or yeast build-up, as well as mites, bacterial infection, red dots, short hairs, and base irritation. Harvest mites, hot, swollen ear flaps, aural haematoma, or infected cut, bite, or wound can also trigger head shakes.
Other signs include drooling, excess saliva, mouth irritation, facial swelling, allergic reaction, nasal discharge, or nose irritation. Look for balance problems, jerky eye movements, or signs of brain or inner ear disorders, including middle or inner ear infections and vestibular disease.
From experience, noting these changes and seeking advice from vets or expert support is crucial. Early observation allows proper treatment to relieve discomfort and prevent further complications, ensuring your dog’s health and safety.
How to help a dog who’s shaking their head at home
If your dog has head shaking that isn’t severe or ongoing, you can take some steps at home to reduce irritation and soothe discomfort. First, carefully check the ears for visible foreign objects, wax, discharge, wounds, scratches, or sores. Cleaning gently with boiled, cooled water or a mild chamomile tea cleanser can help, and applying a warm salt solution or a cooling compress can minimise painful, hot, or sore ear trauma.
To prevent further issues, stop scratching or rubbing by using a cone or collar if needed. Always monitor facial swelling or other symptoms, and if the problem persists or worsens, seek vets, support, or expert advice. Early care at home combined with professional guidance helps keep your dog comfortable and reduces the risk of serious ear problems.
What’s the vet treatment for head shaking in dogs?
Vet treatments for head shaking in dogs will depend on the cause, but could include the following:
Prescription medicines
When treatment at home isn’t enough for your dog’s ear irritation or head shaking, prescription medicines may be needed. Drops, solutions, or ointments can help in dissolving wax, clearing infections, and treating allergic reactions or swellings. Antibiotic, antifungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory medications, including soothing ear injections or steroids, may be used for acute, severe infections, bites, wounds, or cuts. Sometimes antihistamines, painkillers, antibiotics, or non-steroidal medicines are prescribed to relieve pain and support healing in the middle or inner ear, ensuring your dog recovers quickly and comfortably.
Parasite treatments and preventives
- Treatments effective against ear mites, fleas, and ticks: spot-on and/or tablets, depending on range of action.
- Frontline® spray for harvest mites.
Special (prescription) diets
- For dogs with itchy skin: Hills Prescription Diet Derm Complete®
- To identify and treat food allergies: Hills Prescription Diet z/d®, Purina HA®.
Veterinary procedures
When head shaking in a dog is caused by serious causes that cannot be treated at home, a veterinary procedure may be required. Some complex treatments involve surgery under sedation or general anaesthetic for removing foreign bodies from the ear, nose, or mouth, flushing mucky ears, cleaning, instilling solutions, draining aural haematoma, or removing abnormal growths.
Smaller procedures may include stitching wounds or cuts, after which a cone or collar is used to prevent injury from rubbing. These steps help the ear settle quickly and make treatment more effective, ensuring your dog’s comfort and reducing the risk of repeated head shaking.
What else can look like head shaking in dogs?
Sometimes, what looks like head shaking in dogs may actually be tremors caused by neurological issues. These can be less noticeable or intense depending on the breed and age of your dog. Unlike normal shaking, tremors are often conscious or involuntary movements of parts of the body and may involve pain, seizures, or nerve and brain problems. Some dogs experience idiopathic tremor with unknown cause, while others may have low blood sugar, hypocalcaemia, or low calcium contributing to the shaking.
On the other hand, normal head shaking can happen after exposure to water, loose dirt, swimming, bathing, rolling, or a sudden vigorous shake to remove unmentionable substances from the body. In my experience, dogs often shake more vigorously after fun activities or messy play, which is completely different from medical tremors. Observing whether the shaking is linked to play or illness can help distinguish harmless shaking from serious neurological conditions.
Excitement
When dogs get excited, they often shake in a way that looks like shaking, and this can happen when they are playing, spotting you after a walk, or eager to greet you at the door. I have noticed that younger dogs show this exciting behavior more, and it is a normal physical reaction to overwhelming happiness. While some dogs calm quickly, others need time to be relaxed, quiet, or at ease, making the shaking part of their joyful expression rather than a sign of a problem.
Fear, stress or anxiety
When a dog feels stressed or anxious, the body floods with adrenaline and surges of energy prepare them to defend against perceived danger. This can make them shake or tremble, pant, whimper, flattening their ears, or even start hiding. Common triggers include thunderstorms, fireworks, trips to the vet, or other events frequently occurring in their life. Sometimes, the shaking is a visible reaction to overwhelming stress, and managing these levels can make a happier and calmer dog. Working with a behaviourist, using anti-anxiety medications, or removing stressful causes can help manage the behaviour and reduce shaking naturally.
Shaking as a response to their environment
Over millions of years, dogs have developed evolutionary responses to survive in a living world filled with different things. Shaking or shivering is a physical and behavioural reason their body uses to stay warm, dry, and ready for action. From my experience, even after evolution, dogs will shake after playing, swimming, or encountering new things in their environment, showing how instinctive and natural this behavior is.
Shaking off water
After a swim, bath, or stepping in a puddle, a doggy will instinctively shake to get water off its fur and coat. This naturally efficient process helps dry the body quickly, often removing up to 70% of soaking water in just four seconds. By trapping heat and keeping warm, it uses energy in an effective way, making the drying fast and protecting them from getting soggy. In my experience, friends and family often notice this playful splash, and it’s fascinating how dogs perfected this process over time.
They’re cold
Sometimes a dog’s shakes are simply natural and harmless, caused by being cold. Like shivering, the muscle tremors help generate heat and are part of normal behaviour. From my experience, these shakes are different from medical problems such as pain, weakness, nausea, distemper, epilepsy, ear issues, or poisoning. Keeping an eye on overall health and consulting a vet if the shakes seem unusual ensures your dog stays safe while staying warm.
or booties to help them keep hold of their body warmth.
Medical issues that cause shaking
Sometimes a dog’s shakes are not natural or harmless but caused by medical problems. Conditions like epilepsy, distemper, ear infections, poisoning, pain, weakness, nausea, or muscle tremors can affect their health and behaviour, making them shiver or shake more than usual. From my experience, early consultation with a vet helps identify the cause and ensures your dog gets proper care.
Nausea
Sometimes dogs shake or shiver when they feel unwell or sick, which can be a sign of being nauseous. They may lick their lips, dribble, or have trouble swallowing, especially if they have eaten too much, experienced motion sickness, or ingested something poisonous. These medical problems often make the head shaking more noticeable, and in my experience, observing these behaviors early helps to get timely care.
Distemper
Distemper is a serious virus that affects the organs of puppies and young dogs, especially those not vaccinated. In affected dogs, you may notice shake or tremors, runny nose, coughing, temperature changes, tiredness, sickness, and no interest in food. This fatal condition is rare in properly vaccinated dogs, but it’s important to contact a vet immediately if signs appear. With vaccination, the risk is very low, and continuing proper care helps prevent this awful disease from spreading.
Poisons
Sometimes a dog may shake, show tremor, or twitch after ingesting poisons found in everyday substances like chocolate, slug and snail baits, metaldehyde, cannabis, mouldy foods, cigarette butts, nicotine patches, xylitol, macadamia nuts, or caffeine. The effects can be dangerous and your dog may become seriously poisoned very quickly. From my experience, contacting vets immediately is crucial to prevent severe harm, as timely treatment often saves lives and stops the tremor and shaking from worsening.
Find out more about common poisons.
Pain
When dogs feel pain, they may show shivering, shaking, limping, stiffness, or flattened ears. Other signs include being grumpy, scratching or licking the area that hurts, and sometimes refusing food. Whether the condition is acute from an injury or chronic, it’s important to contact a vet promptly. From my experience, early attention helps manage discomfort and prevents further complications.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in dogs where the condition causes seizures of varying severity. During episodes, you may notice head shaking, rhythmic jerking, stiffness, blinking, restlessness, or even collapse and loss of consciousness. Medication can help control the effects, but dogs often need extra rest and monitoring. From my experience, early recognition and treatment greatly improve quality of life for affected dogs.
Muscle weakness, fatigue and old age
When an older dog shows shaking in the area of the legs or body, it can be a sign of muscle weakness, fatigue, or pain from arthritis and joint ache. They may struggle to walk, run, or exercise, needing more rest to regain strength. From my experience, recognizing these changes and adjusting activity levels helps keep aging dogs comfortable and active.
Head shaking
A dog may be repeatedly shaking its head as a sign of an ear problem, infection, or injury. Sometimes the cause is something stuck inside the ears, like grass, a seed, or mites. Infections are common, especially in long ears, and noticing this behavior early helps prevent further discomfort. From my experience, checking the ears regularly and seeking veterinary advice ensures your dog stays healthy and happy.
Find out more about ear infections
Generalised tremor syndrome (GTS)
Generalised Tremor Syndrome (GTS) is a condition seen mostly in small, white dogs, regardless of breed, size, or colour. The cause is often autoimmune in origin, and affected dogs may show tremor throughout the body for months or even years. Common signs include a shaker dog appearance, which is usually responsive to steroid treatment. From my experience, recognizing local and generalized shaking early helps manage this syndrome effectively and improves quality of life.
Shaking puppies
A puppy may show shaking or tremors in the head, legs, or body while walking or balancing, especially if there are conditions like cerebellar hypoplasia, hypomyelination syndrome, or other brain and nerve problems affecting coordination. These signs often appear at a young age as the puppies develop, causing bobbing heads, falling, or trouble walking steadily. From my experience, consulting a vet for guidance and advice helps manage these issues and supports proper growth.
What should I do if my dog keeps shaking his head?
If your dog keeps shaking its head, don’t worry, but consider it an indication of a possible serious health issue. It’s best to contact a vet and schedule an examination to address any concern early. From my experience, timely attention often helps identify the cause and prevents minor problems from turning into major health issues.
Why does my dog shake his head like his ears itch?
A dog may be frequently shaking its head because the ear is itchy or shows signs of inflammation. This can be caused by ear infections or infection discharge, which trigger the irritation and make them shake repeatedly. From my experience, noticing these early signs and checking the ears can help prevent the infections from getting worse and keep your dog comfortable.
When should I be concerned about my dog’s head tremors?
You should be concerned if your dogs show sudden, uncontrollable head shaking, especially if tremors occur in repeated episodes, are accompanied by disorientation, seizures, or other symptoms like ear problems. These signs may indicate underlying infections, epilepsy, or other serious causes that need veterinary evaluation to properly diagnose and treat. In my experience, noticing these unusual behaviors early is key to preventing complications and keeping your dog safe.
Does head shaking mean ear infection?
Acute ear infections can be painful and may cause your dog to shake their head repeatedly, bang their head, or try to pull at their ears. Other symptoms can include fever, irritability, trouble sleeping or eating, and fluid, pus, or bloody leaking from the ears. While some dogs may act like children trying to pick or scratch their ears, noticing these signs early helps you get veterinary care before the infection worsens.
How do I tell if my dog has an ear infection?
You can spot signs of an ear infection when your dog starts scratching, rubbing their face, shaking or tilting their head. Look for redness, swelling, or changes in the canal and pinnae, including crusting, scabs, or excess wax. Sometimes there is purulent discharge, pus, or a foul odor, often brown and slimy, which are clear indicators something is wrong. From my experience, noticing these early makes it easier to get veterinary care before the infection worsens.