A quick head shake after a nap or a swim is normal. But if you keep asking yourself “why does my dog keep shaking his head?”, something is probably bothering his ears. Repeated head shaking is one of the most common reasons dogs end up at the vet.
Quick answer: Dogs shake their heads to get rid of something irritating in the ears — water, dirt, an itch or pain. Frequent head shaking is most often caused by an ear infection, allergies, ear mites or a foreign object like a grass seed. If your dog shakes his head often, scratches his ears, tilts his head, or has a smell, redness or discharge in the ears, see your vet.
Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking His Head? 6 Causes
1. Ear infections
Bacterial and yeast infections are the number one cause. Look for redness, a bad smell, dark or yellow discharge, and pain when the ear is touched. Dogs with floppy ears, hairy ear canals or allergies get them more often.
2. Allergies
Food and environmental allergies make the ears itchy and inflamed. Many dogs with allergies also lick their paws — see why dogs lick their paws.
3. Water in the ears
After a bath or a swim, a few shakes are normal. Moisture left in the ear canal, though, can lead to infections, so dry the outer ear gently.
4. Grass seeds and foreign objects
Grass awns (foxtails) can travel deep into the ear canal. Sudden, intense head shaking after a walk in tall grass — often with the head tilted to one side — is a classic sign.
5. Ear mites
Common in puppies and dogs that live with cats. They cause intense itching and a dark, crumbly discharge that looks like coffee grounds.
6. Ear hematoma
Violent head shaking can break blood vessels in the ear flap, causing a soft, swollen ‘pillow’ ear. It needs veterinary treatment, and the underlying cause of the shaking must be fixed too.
Normal vs. Problem Head Shaking
| Usually normal | Likely a problem |
|---|---|
| A few shakes after waking, a bath or a swim | Shaking many times an hour or every day |
| Ears look clean and pink | Redness, swelling, smell or discharge |
| Dog isn’t scratching | Scratching, rubbing the head on the floor |
| Head held normally | Head tilt, loss of balance, pain |
A head tilt can also be part of normal communication — read why dogs tilt their heads — but a constant tilt with shaking is a medical sign.
What You Can Do at Home
- Gently look inside the ear flap and sniff — healthy ears don’t smell bad.
- Dry the outer ears after baths and swims.
- Don’t put cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.
- Don’t use home remedies like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide without your vet’s advice — they can hurt an inflamed ear or a damaged eardrum.
When to See Your Vet
Make an appointment if head shaking lasts more than a day or two, or right away if your dog seems in pain, has a swollen ear flap, loses balance or may have a grass seed in the ear. Your vet can look into the ear canal, check a sample under the microscope and prescribe the right medication.
The Bottom Line
Occasional head shakes are normal. Constant shaking is your dog telling you his ears need attention. The earlier an ear problem is treated, the faster and easier it is to fix.
Related: Dog Ears Back Meaning and our dog body language guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dog shake his head after I clean his ears?
A few shakes are normal — it helps remove leftover cleaner. If shaking continues for hours, or your dog seems in pain, call your vet.
Can I treat my dog’s ear infection at home?
It’s best to see a vet first. Different infections need different medication, and the eardrum should be checked.
Why does my dog shake his head and scratch his ear?
Itchy ears are usually caused by an infection, allergies or ear mites. A vet visit can confirm the cause.
Is head shaking in dogs an emergency?
Not usually, but sudden intense shaking after a walk, a swollen ear flap or loss of balance should be seen quickly.
Sources
- PetMD — Dog Shaking Head? Here’s When to Worry
- American Kennel Club — Dog Ear Infections
- Kinship — Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking Their Head?
Hi, I’m Ethan — a lifelong dog lover who has always been fascinated by the strange, funny and sweet things dogs do. At Bark Wisdom, I dig into the “why” behind everyday dog behavior, researching every article using veterinary and animal-behavior sources so you can understand your dog a little better. I’m not a veterinarian, so for any health concern, always talk to your vet.