Dogs routinely shake their heads after a bath or swim to get rid of excess water from the face and ears. This is normal and harmless behavior. But if your dog shakes his head frequently and vigorously at various times throughout the day, it could indicate an underlying health problem. So, should you worry about your dog shaking his head? Keep reading to learn more.
It is normal for dogs to shake their heads. Dogs shake their heads to clear water, dirt, grass, and insects from the ear canals. Remember that dogs don’t have fingers and thumbs to scratch an itch or rub a sore spot. So, head shaking is usually harmless and normal behavior in dogs. You should not read too much into it if your dog shakes his head only occasionally.
As mentioned, if your dog shakes her head once in a while, it’s probably nothing to be concerned about. But if the head shaking is frequent and vigorous, something else could be going on. Some of the common reasons why your dog could be shaking her head include:
Take your dog to the vet if you feel like he or she is shaking the head excessively. Also watch for other symptoms like red or swollen ears, discharge, a foul smell, crusting, cysts, visible growths, or hair loss.
Many of the causes of head shaking can be easily treated. Early diagnosis and treatment, however, are important to prevent these conditions from becoming serious or causing other health complications in your dog.
Yes, sometimes dogs will shake their heads when they are happy and excited. This frequently evolves into a full-body shake, starting with the head and moving along the entire body to a happily wagging tail.
If your dog shakes his head because water gets into his ears, placing cotton balls in the ears before a bath or swim may help. Also, avoid spraying water directly at your dog’s ears during baths or playtime in the yard.
Take your dog to the vet if you feel like he is shaking his head very often and without any obvious cause. This is especially important if he is also scratching his ears or the ears look red, swollen, or irritated. The vet can diagnose any underlying health issues. Treating the cause will often put a stop to the head shaking.
Stay tuned to the Puppy Hero blog for answers to your most pressing questions about your four-legged friends. Find out why dogs sleep on their backs, why they get stuck after mating, what causes hiccups in dogs, and much more.
16 December, 2022