What diseases can cause cats to cock their heads

Middle ear infection, vestibular syndrome, and brain diseases are some of the causes of cats tilting their heads.

Long-term uncleaned cat ears are prone to infection by ear mites or Malassezia, which can lead to middle or inner ear inflammation, and subsequently cause the cat to tilt its head. It is recommended to clean your cat's ears regularly, about once a week. Damage to the vestibular nerve can also cause cats to lose balance and tilt their heads to one side. Furthermore, brain inflammation, cerebral hemorrhage, and brain tumors can also lead to cats tilting their heads.

1. Middle Ear Infection

If a cat's owner does not clean their ears for an extended period, the ears are prone to developing mites and accumulating bacteria. Over time, this can lead to middle or inner ear inflammation, causing damage to the inner ear's vestibule, which interferes with the cat's balance and head position control, resulting in a tilted head.

1. Vestibular Syndrome

If the cat's vestibular nerve is damaged, it can lead to imbalance and neuropathy, commonly referred to as "vestibular syndrome." Cats with vestibular syndrome will tilt their heads, experience acute balance disorders, walk with a significant lean, and may even struggle to walk in a straight line or remain stationary without spinning around continuously. When the cat's head is released in the opposite direction of the tilt, they may fall over or even vomit.

1. Brain Diseases

When cats suffer from brain inflammation, cerebral hemorrhage, or brain tumors, they are likely to experience discomfort in their ears, leading to a tilting head. These brain diseases can cause cats to feel unwell and display unusual behaviors.