Is your dog constantly shaking its head like it’s trying to shake something off?
If your dog shakes its head until its ears are flopping and flapping around then I’d say there’s probably something wrong with your dog. No, I don’t mean mentally either! But, there’s something causing it to do this and it probably doesn’t feel good.
I’m not a vet, but I’ve owned dogs for years and I’ve had more than a few experiences of the head shaking, ear rattling dog….
This behavior is more often than not caused by your dog’s ears. Well, not it’s ears exactly, but an infection of the ears. Shaking is the only way they can try to alleviate the pain and discomfort they’re in.
Sure, your dog might shake its head once in awhile after a bath or a swim. That’s normal, they’re trying to get whatever is in their ears out!
But, if it continues it’s a problem, which can turn into a lot of pain if not treated. Irritation and inflammation to the dog’s outer ear canal can lead to infection. Try to keep water from going in your dogs ears as much as possible when giving your dog a bath and dry them out as much as possible too.
You’ve gotten water in your ears before too, right? It feels weird and it’s annoying. Plus, it’s hard to hear very good. Everything sounds muffled. So, how do you think your dog feels about it?
Probably the same as you did. But, what about when your ears hurt, feel plugged, or are itching like crazy? What would you do?
Well, you’d be pretty darn grumpy for one thing…and, you’d probably be scratching, rubbing, and picking too. Maybe some swearing too!
If you’re not sure how to clean your dog’s ears watch the video below. This is one I found that may be helpful to you from Greencross Vets.
No, not only water can be a problem in your dogs ears. There are other things that can cause irritation and eventual infection too, such as yeast and excessive bacteria that normally grow on the skin.
But, for now, does your dog have any of these symptoms?