What are the reasons for a dog constantly shaking its head?

A dog constantly shaking its head may be due to various reasons, such as water in the ears, foreign objects in the ears, ear mites, or ear infections. Dog owners should carefully examine their dog's ears to see if there are any foreign objects or if there is an unusual smell. If there are foreign objects, it is necessary to help the dog remove them promptly. However, if there is an unusual smell, it is advised to take the dog to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment.

Water in the ears

If a dog starts shaking its head frequently after taking a bath, it's likely that water entered the ears during the bath. As the dog experiences discomfort, it shakes its head to remove the liquid from the ears. In this case, dog owners don't need to worry too much, as the dog can usually shake the water out on its own.

Foreign objects in the ears

If dust, insects, hair, or other objects enter a dog's ears, or if the owner doesn't clean the dog's ear canals or earwax regularly, causing excessive earwax, the dog may feel itchy and try to shake its head to remove the objects. Dog owners should check if there is anything in their dog's ears and promptly remove any foreign objects or clean the excessive earwax.

Ear mites

When a dog has ear mites, the mites crawling in the ear canals can cause significant itching. To alleviate this discomfort, the dog will constantly shake its head and scratch its ears. Additionally, the dog's ears will produce a large amount of dark brown secretions and have an unpleasant smell. Dog owners should check for brown secretions and smell for any unusual scent, as well as perform a microscopic examination of the earwax. If ear mites are present, it's advised to clean the ears early and use medications specifically designed for ear mites.

Ear infection

When a dog has an ear infection, itchy and painful ears can lead to frequent head shaking or ear scratching. The ears may also show signs of redness, swelling, and blackening, with scales or pus. If these symptoms are observed, it's recommended to take the dog to a pet hospital for ear cleaning and then use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medications.