Symptom guide

Why Is My Dog Shaking Its Head? Ear Infections and Other Causes

Head shaking and ear scratching usually mean ear trouble. Signs of ear infections, mites and grass seeds, why allergies are often behind them, and what to do.

Updated October 2026 · 6 min read · By the Hushku editorial team · 3 sources

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Short answer

Frequent head shaking and scratching at the ears usually means an ear problem: most often an ear infection (otitis externa), which is commonly triggered by allergies. Sudden, violent shaking after a walk can mean a grass seed in the ear. See your vet within a day or two; don't put drops in the ear until it's been examined, as some can harm the eardrum.

Key facts

Head shaking usually means an ear problem, most often an infection.
Allergies are the most common underlying cause of recurring ear infections.
Don't put drops in an ear until a vet has checked the eardrum.
Constant shaking can cause a swollen ear flap (aural haematoma).

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, or you're worried, call your vet.

Overview

A quick shake after a swim or a nap is normal. Repeated shaking, tilting the head, rubbing the ears on the floor or scratching at them is a sign that something is bothering your dog's ears.

Dogs' ear canals are long and L-shaped, which traps moisture and debris, so infections are common, especially in dogs with floppy or hairy ears and in dogs that swim. Most ear infections are a symptom of an underlying cause, most often allergies. Treating the infection without addressing the cause means it tends to come back.

Look inside the ear flap: healthy ears are pale pink, clean and don't smell. Redness, swelling, a brown or yellow discharge, or a yeasty or foul smell all point to infection.

Go to a vet now if you see

Loss of balance, circling, a sudden head tilt or flicking eyes
Severe pain, crying when the ear is touched, or not eating
A suddenly swollen ear flap
Violent head shaking that started on a walk and won't stop

Common causes

1. Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Needs a vet
Redness, discharge, smell and pain, caused by yeast or bacteria taking hold in an inflamed ear.
2. Allergies
Needs a vet
Environmental and food allergies are the most common underlying cause of recurring ear infections, often with itchy paws too.
3. Grass seeds and foreign bodies
Serious
Sudden, violent head shaking and holding the head tilted, often in one ear only after a walk through long grass.
4. Ear mites
Needs a vet
Dark, crumbly discharge like coffee grounds and intense itching, most common in puppies and dogs living with cats.
5. Water in the ears
Usually mild
Moisture after swimming or bathing can lead to infections in prone dogs.
6. Middle or inner ear infection
Serious
A head tilt, loss of balance, flicking eyes or facial drooping can mean infection has spread deeper.
7. Aural haematoma
Needs a vet
Constant shaking can burst a blood vessel in the ear flap, which swells up like a pillow. It needs treating, along with the cause of the shaking.

What you can do at home

Don't put any drops, oils or home remedies in the ear until your vet has checked the eardrum.
Never push cotton buds into the ear canal.
Use a cone if your dog is scratching hard enough to cause wounds.
Once treated, finish the full course of ear medication, even if the ear looks better, and go back for the recheck.

When to see a vet

Head shaking or ear scratching lasting more than a day
Redness, discharge, smell or swelling in the ear
Ear infections that keep coming back (ask about allergy management)

Prevention

Dry ears thoroughly after swimming and bathing
Clean ears only when needed, with a vet-recommended cleaner
Check ears and paws for grass seeds after summer walks
Work with your vet to control allergies

Free tools for this

Dog and cat symptom checker

Sources

We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.

Questions.

Can I treat my dog's ear infection at home?

Not safely without an exam. The vet needs to check the eardrum is intact and identify yeast, bacteria or mites, as the treatment differs.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Usually because of an underlying cause, most often allergies, or because ear shape and hair trap moisture. Treating the cause reduces repeat infections.

Are ear infections contagious between dogs?

Infections themselves aren't usually contagious, but ear mites are, and spread easily between dogs and cats.

Key facts

Overview

Go to a vet now if you see

Common causes

1. Outer ear infection (otitis externa)

2. Allergies

3. Grass seeds and foreign bodies

4. Ear mites

5. Water in the ears

6. Middle or inner ear infection

7. Aural haematoma