Why Does My Cat Keep Shaking Its Head?

Ear mites

Ear mites are tiny skin parasites that cause intensely itchy ears, a build-up of dark wax and often ear infections. Signs include head shaking, smelly ears, red and painful ears, and rubbing of the face and head. They tend to affect both ears.

Ear mites can affect cats of any age but are most common in kittens. They pass from cat to cat and are contagious to other cats and dogs in the household. Humans can catch them from a pet only extremely rarely.

A vet confirms mites by seeing them during an ear exam or by looking at a swab under a microscope. This matters because an allergy-related ear infection can look very similar.

Ear infection

Ear infections are an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in the ear canal. They rarely develop without an underlying cause, such as ear mites, fleas, allergic skin disease, an injury, something stuck in the ear or a growth.

Signs include an itchy ear, heat, swelling, pain, a smell, head shaking, face rubbing, discharge and excess wax. An untreated infection is likely to cause significant pain and could cause permanent damage to the ear.

Allergies and itchy skin

Allergic skin disease often includes the ears and causes red, inflamed, itchy skin. Flying insects usually bite the hairless areas, such as the bridge of the nose and the ears. Harvest mites, seen in late summer and autumn, can be found in the pocket of the ear flap.

Something stuck in the ear, or an injury

Occasionally an object, such as a grass seed, gets stuck in the ear canal, though this is more common in dogs. Ear wounds are often the result of cat fights, and a bite wound can cause swelling and an abscess.

Aural haematoma (swollen ear flap)

An aural haematoma is a blood-filled swelling in the ear flap. It usually develops when a cat repeatedly shakes their head or scratches an ear because of an underlying problem, such as an ear infection, ear mites or itchy skin. A knock can cause one, but that is rare.

The ear suddenly becomes swollen, hot, droopy and usually very uncomfortable. Some cats shake their head a lot, and some even develop a head tilt.

Your cat is likely to need the ear drained, pain relief and treatment for the underlying cause. Never try to drain a haematoma yourself at home. A large one left alone is likely to cause pain, scarring and a thickened, crinkly flap.

Polyps and other growths

Ear polyps are non-cancerous growths, and ear cancer can also occur, for example on the ear flap. Growths inside the ear can cause infections, but they are less common than most other causes.

Middle and inner ear problems

Deeper ear disease can affect balance. Along with head shaking, a cat may have a head tilt, loss of balance and flickering eye movements. Other signs include walking in circles or difficulty walking. Vestibular disease is an inner ear problem that affects balance.

Untreated ear mites do not directly cause deafness, but they can lead to serious ear disease that causes hearing loss, head tilt or loss of balance. Vets may use X-rays, CT or MRI scans to look at deeper problems.

A painful mouth

Head shaking is not always about the ears. Cats Protection's veterinary guide lists it as a sign of painful tooth resorption, alongside drooling and discomfort when chewing. If your cat is also drooling or seems uncomfortable when chewing, read our guide to the signs of dental disease in cats.