Why Is My Cat Shaking Its Head? Ear Problems Explained

In this guide

Occasional head shaking after a bath or a sneeze is nothing unusual. Frequent, persistent head shaking, especially paired with scratching at one ear, is almost always a sign of ear discomfort worth investigating.

Common causes

• Ear mites, highly common and contagious between pets, often causing dark, coffee-ground-like debris in the ear
• Bacterial or yeast infections, sometimes linked to allergies or excess moisture in the ear canal
• A foreign object, such as a grass seed or dust particle, lodged in the ear
• Wax build-up, particularly in cats prone to ear issues
• Allergies causing itchy, inflamed ears

What to look for

• Dark, crumbly discharge resembling coffee grounds, suggestive of ear mites
• A strong odour from the ear, often pointing to infection
• Redness or visible swelling inside the ear flap
• One ear affected more than the other, common with a foreign object or localised infection
• Frequent scratching that can lead to a haematoma if it continues unaddressed

What not to do

Avoid poking cotton buds deep into your cat's ear canal, since this can push debris further in or cause injury. Home remedies without a proper diagnosis can also mask symptoms or worsen certain infections.

When to see a vet

Persistent head shaking for more than a day or two, visible discharge, odour, or redness are all reasons to have your vet examine the ear canal properly with an otoscope before starting any treatment. Getting the right diagnosis matters, since mites, bacterial infections, and yeast infections are treated differently.

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