Veterinarian Kim Khouri Haddad says dogs shake their heads and bodies for many reasons, and owners should learn to tell everyday behavior from signs of illness. For additional coverage of this same incident, see Pet Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for the Unexpected.

Her explanation, offered from her work in California as DVM and medical director at VCA San Carlos and VCA San Mateo Animal Hospitals, covers normal shaking—like drying off or releasing tension—and medical causes such as ear infections and anxiety that warrant veterinary attention. It’s important to note that ear diseases, especially bacterial or yeast infections, are among the most common health problems causing this behavior, making the ears itchy, inflamed, and often full of discharge. According to resources such as the American Kennel Club and veterinary references, an estimated 20% of dogs experience ear disease at some point in their lives, which may include infections, mites, or allergic reactions.

Shaking is often an ordinary canine response. “Dogs are excitable creatures, often overcome with tail wags and full body shakes,” the article notes, and brief shaking can follow play, a bath, or a stressful moment as the animal transitions from one state to another. But Haddad draws a clear line between a quick shake and persistent, forceful movements aimed at relieving pain or irritation. “Excessive shaking of the head can be a sign of an ear infection,” she said, explaining that according to the American Kennel Club, an estimated 20% of dogs experience ear disease at some point in their lives, which may include these infections along with issues such as ear mites or allergic reactions.

Ear disease is among the medical explanations Haddad highlights. Foreign material lodged in the ear canal, parasites such as mites, or allergic inflammation can provoke repeated head shaking as a dog tries to clear the canal or soothe itchiness. Specialty resources explain that ear-related problems are a frequent reason pets exhibit this behavior; for further reading see the discussion at Dog Head Shaking: Causes and What to Do.

Haddad also addresses environmental tolerance. “There are many variables that affect a dog’s ability to tolerate or thrive in cold climates,” she said, noting that temperature and the dog’s individual condition can influence shaking that appears linked to chill or discomfort. It’s critical for owners to differentiate between normal head shaking, which tends to be brief and stops quickly, and symptoms that may indicate a serious condition, such as persistent shaking that interferes with normal activities or is associated with signs like ear redness and discharge.

Behavioral causes appear in her guidance as well. Fear or acute stress can trigger full-body shakes that resemble a human shiver after a fright. She adds that persistent anxiety beyond isolated triggers may indicate a diagnosable condition: “If your dog’s anxiety is not limited to occasional triggers or events, she may have separation anxiety disorder.” That distinction guides whether owners seek behavioral intervention or medical workups.

Veterinary resources stress complications that can follow unchecked head shaking. Repeated, vigorous shaking can lead to an aural hematoma—blood-filled swelling of the ear flap—that often requires veterinary treatment. Practical resources for pet owners outline how recurring ear disease and secondary problems develop, including material from Why Dogs Shake Their Heads – Bayshore Veterinary Hospital.

Haddad’s professional roles extend beyond clinical practice: she is affiliated with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and serves on the board of Jameson Humane, in addition to her leadership at VCA Hospitals, which provides information on dog health conditions. The article also points readers to services such as ASPCA Poison Control for issues involving toxic substance exposure.

Her practical advice centers on watching for clusters of signs. Owners should note whether shaking is frequent, forceful, or accompanied by redness, discharge, smell, pain, balance problems or noticeable behavior changes—signals that prompt a veterinary exam. Clinical guides emphasize that an evaluation is warranted when shaking interferes with normal activity or is persistent. Moreover, persistent head shaking, especially if frequent and vigorous, can be a strong indicator of underlying ear issues, calling for timely veterinary attention.

Haddad frames shaking as a behavior on a spectrum: a normal maintenance action at one end and a symptom of treatable disease at the other. Her overview in California aims to help owners recognize when a quick shake is harmless and when it marks a problem that needs professional care.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.