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Why Dogs Tilt Their Heads – Explained


Why do dogs tilt their heads? Is this something you should be worried about, or is it just cute things dogs do? Read on and find out.

Have you ever seen your dog tilt his head?

If you say no, you are not a dog owner yet. Head tilt is common in dogs, it’s just one of those things dogs do.

Head tilting is also one of the things people like about dogs. It’s cute and every dog ​​does it, no matter its size, gender or age.

Head tilting is just something a dog would do. Still, there is a “why” behind every dog’s behavior.

Is it normal for dogs to tilt their heads? When it comes to standard and unusual behavior in dogs, it all comes down to frequency.

For example, if your dog occasionally tilts his head, this is normal. It also means it’s a harmless habit. However, sometimes a head tilt can be a clear indicator of a health problem.

Read on to learn the difference between a friendly head tilt and one that can be a sign of a medical problem.

Normal dog head tilt in dogs

Some dogs may have more head tilt than others. For example, puppies are more prone to tilt their heads than adults.

Puppies have just entered a world full of exciting smells, sounds and sights that keep everything fresh and interesting.

In puppies, head tilt is usually an interesting sign. Puppies tilt their heads whenever they hear a new or interesting sound or word.

They may do this when they see something interesting or find something unusual. They will turn their heads on their sides, wait a moment, and return to their normal posture.

In some cases, the puppy may turn its head to the other side (if it is really unusual) and then return it to its normal position.

Head tilt is most common in puppies, but can be seen in adults and even older dogs as well.

don’t think so senior dog Nor do you experience new wonders every day.

Still, there is a lot to learn about this behavior so we (humans) can fully understand it.

As long as this behavior is an occasional occurrence, your dog should be fine. Some people find the behavior more than cute and choose to train their dogs to tilt their heads when commanded.

Before you start this training, make sure you do a thorough research on whether mastering this command is something your dog could actually benefit from, or just something cute.

Some dog experts believe that head tilt is a dog’s way of trying to get its ears to hear something at a different angle.

Others claim that head tilt is their way of changing the position of their eyes to see better.

Your Fido may be trying to focus to better hear or locate the source of the sound.

One is for sure – puppies use head tilt more often than adults.

Everything around them is new and exciting. Just say a funky word around them, or do a funny gesture, and you’ll see your pup tilt his head to one side or the other.

We may not know everything about this behavior, but we do know it’s common, it’s cute, it’s common.

Does a head tilt really help a dog hear better?

For many dogs, tilting their head is an effective way to improve their hearing. Not only does a head tilt help them hear better, it also helps them orientate the direction of the sound.

Thanks to the rotation of the ears, the dog can locate the location of the sound. This is most evident in German Shepherds, whose ears are very high, which may prevent them from hearing sounds behind them clearly.

When they turned their ears, they could actually hear better. On the other hand, breeds with dense and floppy ears like the Cocker Spaniel need to raise the ear cups so they can hear better.

Their ear cups cover the entire ear canal and muffle the sound. Are you sure your dog never shows head tilt?

It may be, but most of the time it’s simply not true.

Why? Dogs are experts when it comes to certain behaviors. Their head tilt can be so subtle that you won’t even notice.

All in all, dogs show head tilt when they see fit.

Some people may choose to do this more often and may even exaggerate the movement, while other dogs may choose to tilt their heads more than others.

When a head tilt indicates a health problem

While a head tilt is often a sign of your dog’s curiosity, in some cases it is an indicator of a health problem.

Unfortunately, when a head tilt indicates a health problem, it’s usually a sign of serious problems.

In most cases, health-related head tilt is involuntary, regardless of how often it occurs.

Involuntary head tilt is different from normal head tilt and usually presents with other signs of illness, such as:

  • Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Dizziness
  • Drunk gait (ataxia)
  • weakness
  • nausea
  • lethargy

When head tilt is important, it usually accompanies some kind of vestibular dysfunction.

The vestibular system is located in the middle/inner ear and brain stem, so it is responsible for balance and coordination.

Did you know that ear inflammation can seriously affect the nerves and structures of the vestibular system? This inflammation can lead to head tilt and many other signs of vertigo.

Below is a shortlist of health problems that can seriously disrupt the vestibular system:

  • Horner syndrome
  • head trauma
  • tumor
  • ear infection
  • brain disease
  • idiopathic vestibular dysfunction
  • Hypothyroidism

If you notice sudden and frequent head tilt in your dog, or if it becomes a daily occurrence, make sure you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Whenever you notice unusual behavior in your dog, you shouldn’t ignore it.

Any sudden change in your dog’s behavior could be a sign of an underlying problem, and you shouldn’t ignore it.

If ignored, it can get worse over time and cause permanent damage. Make sure you contact your veterinarian when (and if) you notice that your dog’s head tilt seems unusual.

Make sure you have clear communication with your veterinarian.

Choosing the best veterinarian can be challenging and often time-consuming, but it’s important to Find the right veterinarian For your dog, you can communicate clearly with them, which will help you to always find the best solution for your dog in the shortest possible time.

dog ear infection and head tilt

Ear infections in dogs are common. This is why cosmetology should not be taken lightly, as ear examinations should be a mandatory part of cosmetology practice.

This is especially important if you have a dog with long, floppy ears.study How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears and how to do it safely.

If you have any questions about how to inspect your dog’s ears or how to properly clean them, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Since ear infections are common in dogs, you should be extra careful when your dog begins to tilt his head severely.

In some cases, a head tilt can be a clear indicator of an ear infection and your dog’s way of relieving discomfort.

When an ear infection occurs, some other signs may appear, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, followed by a fever.

A dog’s ear infection should only be treated by your veterinarian. When it comes to a dog’s ear infection, you shouldn’t try any DIY treatments until you talk to your veterinarian.

In fact, the best treatment will come from your veterinarian. Treatment for ear infections usually includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain relief.

If an ear infection is not properly healed or treated, it can lead to permanent damage to the ear.

In some cases, an improperly treated ear infection can lead to deafness.

Geriatric Vestibular Disease in Dogs (Old Dog Imbalance)

Vestibular disease in old age is one of the common causes of head tilt in dogs. This condition often attacks older dogs (dogs over five years of age) and can cause head tilt.

That’s why regular veterinary checkups are so important in keeping your dog healthy and strong.

If your dog is an advanced canine citizen and you notice a head tilt, then you notice that the eyes move quickly from side to side and all circles may be an indicator that the dog has senile vestibular disease.

Make sure you contact your veterinarian when (if) you notice these symptoms.

When you notice your dog is behaving unusually, one of the best things you can do is monitor him closely. This means you will be able to provide your veterinarian with first-hand information about your dog’s behavior.

If your dog has been diagnosed with geriatric vestibular disease, you should know that it is up to you to make his days easier and calmer.

That being said, you should create a quiet space where your dog can rest in peace to reduce stress.

In most cases, the veterinarian will provide anti-nausea medication.

Head Injuries and Trauma in Dogs

When a dog’s head is injured or trauma occurs, you may see some head tilt.

Symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the injury, and the first symptoms may even appear days after the injury.

Did you know that approximately 50% of head injuries in dogs are caused by motor vehicle accidents? That’s why you should be careful when sharing an itinerary with your Fido.

Make sure your vehicle is big enough to accommodate a dog as well.

It is important that your dog has enough pace that he can move easily if needed.

Having said that, moving around in the car doesn’t mean your dog should walk from seat to seat, it means that he has enough room to move his head and body easily.

Whenever possible, do your best to get your Fido in the safest car possible.

Some other symptoms of head injuries and trauma in dogs are:

  • blindness
  • circling
  • indenter

How to treat in this situation? Treatment always varies from dog to dog and depends on the cause of the injury.

Treatment may vary by medication, as well as by surgery.

Other Causes of a Dog’s Head Tilt

There are other reasons why a dog’s head tilt may not be common.

In some cases, head tilt can be a sign of a tumor or some kind of lump in the head or neck area. That being said, head tilt can be a sign of meningitis, encephalitis, or a brain tumor.

In some other cases, head tilt may be a clear indicator of blood vessels in the head.

To determine what might be bothering you with Fido, you need your veterinarian to help you.

Only your veterinarian can isolate a specific cause based on examination and diagnostic testing.

bottom line

The key to having a healthy dog ​​is knowing your dog. Whenever you notice any unusual behavior, you should react as long as it stands out from your daily actions.

This doesn’t mean that you should create drama from the smallest changes, but that you should react when a certain behavior becomes too frequent.

Many behavioral changes in a dog are often signs of an underlying medical problem, and a proper response can save your dog a lot of trouble and save you high veterinary bills.

Prevention is key to having a healthy and happy dog.

Make sure you provide regular veterinary checkups, proper nutrition, and regular exercise to keep your dog’s joints strong and healthy.

Don’t forget that once you own a dog, you are directly responsible for its weight, so be sure to learn as much as you can about dog nutrition.

When you notice it, don’t ignore the head tilt.

In most cases, this will be a way for your dog to communicate with the world and between you and your dog, or an indicator of an underlying health problem – make sure you don’t ignore it.