Common Causes of Cats Throwing Their Heads Frequentely

It's quite normal for cats to shake their heads occasionally. However, if a cat starts doing this frequently, it could be a sign of persistent ear itching, which is often a pathological issue and requires prompt veterinary attention. Below, we'll explore some common reasons for a cat to frequently shake its head, helping you identify the specific cause and treat the cat accordingly.

1. Reasons for a Cat's Frequent Head Shaking

Cats may shake their heads frequently due to foreign objects in their ear canals. The irritation from these objects can prompt the cat to shake its head vigorously in an attempt to dislodge them. After the shaking stops, it's important for owners to carefully inspect the cat's ear canals for any remaining debris. Other common causes of frequent head shaking include ear mites, otitis, and ear canal bleeding. If a cat is suffering from these ear conditions, owners should consult a veterinarian promptly for diagnosis and targeted treatment.

2. How to Distinguish Ear Diseases in Cats

Owners can make educated guesses about their cat's ear health based on their regular care routines and living environment. For instance, owners might recall if they recently cleaned their cat's ears. While regular ear cleaning with cotton swabs can sometimes lead to cotton fibers falling into the ear canals, causing discomfort and prompting the cat to shake its head. Additionally, improper ear cleaning might accidentally injure the cat's inner ear canal, leading to bleeding and subsequent inflammation. Furthermore, if a cat's ears get wet during a bath and are not properly dried, it can lead to inflammation and pus in the ear canals, also causing the cat to shake its head frequently.

Ear mites are another common ear condition in cats, often accompanied by head shaking. Cats living in damp environments are more susceptible to ear mite infections. These parasites can cause severe itching in the ear canals, prompting the cat to shake its head to alleviate the discomfort. Upon inspection, you might notice dark, brown discharge and a foul odor in the cat's ears. Generally, earwax from ear mite infections is dry and brown, resembling coffee grounds, while earwax from inner ear infections is usually wet and greasy. These differences can help you distinguish between the two conditions.

Firstly, owners should inspect the cat's ear canals to rule out the presence of foreign objects. If there's an increase in ear discharge, it's important to differentiate between ear mites and inner ear infections.

In cases where frequent head shaking is due to inner ear infections, antibiotics and ear cleaning solutions are typically used for treatment. For ear mite infections, ear cleaning solutions and ear mite medications are employed, followed by cleaning the ear canal and then applying the medication daily.

Understanding the common reasons for a cat's frequent head shaking and addressing the underlying cause with effective treatment can lead to a resolution of this issue.